Object: the Boy with the U.S

1920 Object: The Boy with the U.S. Census Francis Rolt-Wheeler’s 1911 book The Boy with the U.S. Census, part of his U.S. Service Series, features a teenager named Hamilton who traveled across the United States collecting information for the census. Hamilton also worked at headquarters, where he learned of the adventures and difficulties involved in collecting data from islands and territories while tabulating results for places like Alaska and Puerto Rico. Territories have been included in the decennial census since the first census in 1790, which counted the Southwest Territory (Tennessee) and the District of Kentucky. Throughout the 1800s, most states have been included in the census during their territorial phase. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, newly acquired territories created significant difficulties in enumeration. Not only were there communication delays, but several of the new territories contained difficult terrains and, more importantly, new and unique cultures. In several territories that had formerly been under Spanish governance, people were not familiar with a census used for representational democracy as many previous governments had used the census for taxation purposes. In some instances, such as with Cuba and the Philippines, taking a successful census was often one of the first steps required for the transition to self-governance. The census was also responsible helping women enter the government workforce in former Spanish territories, which had traditionally been restricted to men. Language differences also hindered census taking, but the Census Bureau quickly learned to use local supervisors and enumerators whenever possible. The Canal Zone (or Panama Canal Zone) was first enumerated by the United States in 1904, after it came under U.S. jurisdiction by treaty with Panama on November 18, 1903. It was included in the decennial censuses from 1920 through 1970. On October 1, 1979, the United States transferred sovereignty over the Canal Zone to Panama in accordance with the terms of a treaty signed in September 1977 and ratified the following April. Following World War II, the Census Bureau also conducted censuses in Palau and Federated States of Micronesia, however after these areas no longer fell under U.S. jurisdiction in the 1980s and 1990s, the Census Bureau no longer conducts censuses there. Alaska and Hawaii, two long time U.S. territories that both became states in 1959, also created unique problems. Unforgiving weather and terrain, and a number of languages, and a small population spread out over an enormous area present unique challenges in Alaska since its first census in 1870. For this reason, enumeration in Alaska has traditionally begun early than the rest of the country during January, when most people remain at home, and before the spring thaw when travel becomes more difficult on wet ground and swollen rivers. Hawaii has its own challenges since its first enumeration in 1900. Although relatively small, it has rugged terrain and requires many language specialists for the multiple groups that did not speak English—as much as 50% of the population in the early 20th century. The 2020 Census will include the overseas territories and island areas of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham, will start the 2020 Census by enumerating Toksook Bay, AK, on January 21, 2020. Final Population Count: 106,021,537 .

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