Could you please clarify a data agreement term?

1

Hi, I am looking to map data from the 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 census by indivudals per household in certain areas. I will be mapping the data against old street maps (Sanborn, etc.), and personal names (forenames or surnames) will not be used. When I selected a 100% sample, I was asked to agree that the “user will not link individual records with original enumeration images”. This is totally fine of course, but could I please ask exactly what that means and if I am still ok to use the data in my project? (I have looked at some of the original enumeration images on 1940census.archives.gov, but I believe the IPUMS will be much more useful for my project)

Thank you very much for any help.

2

Essentially the user aggremement asks users not to link the individual records from data extracted via IPUMS USA on the images of the original 1940 Census enumeration forms, thereby identifying their names, street addresses, etc. Since you are not linking personal identification information to these maps, your use of the data is valid and permissible under the IPUMS data use agreements.

3

Hi Jeff,

Thanks very much for the clarification. I thought that would be the case, but I just wanted to be sure before I continued. I appreciate the help.

Many thanks,