One tool that was used by the Greene Street Project was a census which is when, “a systematic process of collecting and analyzing population data about a given area or group”(Wikipedia definition). This tool is relevant to Digital humanities because one of the DH goal’s is to publish, provide access to, and share cultural data, and that is exactly what a census report calls for.
Information on the first census that was used to collect data for the Greene Street Project: This information was pulled from this website(HERE).
The 1855 New York state census is notable because it was the first to record the names of every individual in the household. It also asked about the relationship of each family member to the head of the household—something that was not asked in the federal census until 1880.
The 1855 New York state census also provides the length of time that people had lived in their towns or cities as well as their state or country of origin—this is particularly helpful for tracing immigrant ancestors.
If born in New York State, the county of birth was noted, which is helpful for tracing migration within New York State.
Information collected in this census includes:
- Literacy status, and if deaf, dumb, or blind
- Name (of each household member)
- Age, gender, race
- Relation to the head of the household
- Birthplace (country, U.S. state, or New York county)
- Marital status
- Length of residence in current municipality
- Occupation, citizenship status, and if a landowner
