Community Chat

[SoX]

I'm honored to do so. We found out more about our ancestors through these records. One of my great-great grandfathers served in the Civil War. What's so special about that, you ask? Well, he was a freed (or runaway) slave. His wife applied for and received widow's benefits from the Union Army upon his death.

Running my fingers over a copy of these records brought tears to my eyes.

[PAX]

On 1/10/2015 circles said:

I will ask this....does EVERYONE have to fill these out....do they go after anyone who does not.....and you know there will be many who won't....I just feel like its a scare tactic for those of us who have filled them out before...and those who don't....nothing will come of it...

I understand what all of you are saying and I wish I felt better about this but I have so much anger in me right now...and I can't seem to shake free of it...even though I did fill it out and I will mail it Monday....

I do appreciate all the info you all have provided....

If you're that ticked off don't send it.

[Snowpuppy]

I didn't get one so feel free to use my info on yours.

[Irshgrl31201]

On 1/10/2015 circles said:

I will ask this....does EVERYONE have to fill these out....do they go after anyone who does not.....and you know there will be many who won't....I just feel like its a scare tactic for those of us who have filled them out before...and those who don't....nothing will come of it...

I understand what all of you are saying and I wish I felt better about this but I have so much anger in me right now...and I can't seem to shake free of it...even though I did fill it out and I will mail it Monday....

I do appreciate all the info you all have provided....

They will send out two mailings, if those aren't answered they will call you. They will then send a representative to your house if those aren't answered. My friends mom did this one year and she went to all the people who didn't answer by mail or phone.

I think it is important to do and nothing to get aggravated about and these are some of the reasons we do a census

Census information affects the numbers of seats your state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. And people from many walks of life use census data to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, locate pools of skilled workers and more.

When you do the math, it's easy to see what an accurate count of residents can do for your community. Better infrastructure. More services. A brighter tomorrow for everyone. In fact, the information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like:

• Hospitals
• Job training centers
• Schools
• Senior centers
• Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
• Emergency services

[June Lands]

All my personal dirty laundry info is out there for everyone to see....makes no difference to me.

[Shorty2U]

On 1/10/2015 tishkins said: Thank goodness my grandparents filled out these these forms. My family and I were searching our family history on Ancestry Dot Com and thru the census records we found out a lot of information. I am really into this and enjoy finding out things. Since my grandparents came from Italy we also used the site Ancestry to find out when they arrived here thru Ellis Island. The ship manifests have a lot of info. It's something to do during the winter with my husband.

Same exact circumstances here! Finding info via the census! My Italian grandparents names are on the wall on Ellis Island. (That I already knew though, because my dad and his siblings had it put on when they were still alive). But the ships manifests on the Ellis Island site (even see passports! and all), SO interesting! The only thing I am having trouble tracing back TO Italy. (Have my whole moms side done but not the Italian side for that reason).

Anyway in answer to the OPs question! NO I am not annoyed by the census! But I do know of people who find it to be an intrusion to privacy. I find it to be a help! The census determines how money is spent on various areas also!

[NoelSeven]

It really is important to fill out and send in your census form. We all benefit from it... many ways have already been listed on this line so I won't repeat them.

[scotttie]

Hi Circles,

I get what you are saying.

If I remember correctly the last time there were some questions on there that were none of their business.

How many people are in your household is sufficient.

[brii]

I've only gotten one form. I'm not sure I would answer all the questions. Some seem too intrusive

[Blahblahvampemer]

The short form? Not really, but we didn't get one last time, and the bureau didn't care about this fact. Given my district, it didn't matter anyway. The long one? Nope, not getting filled out. they threaten fines and jail time for this one, but my response to that isn't allowed on here.