# Something is wrong with the NHGIS data I downloaded. What should I do?

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/something-is-wrong-with-the-nhgis-data-i-downloaded-what-should-i-do/187>\
**Category:** NHGIS\
**Created:** [January 5, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/something-is-wrong-with-the-nhgis-data-i-downloaded-what-should-i-do/187 "2013-01-05T11:38:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NHGIS\_Project](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/13edae/32.png) [@NHGIS\_Project](https://forum.ipums.org/u/NHGIS_Project)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/something-is-wrong-with-the-nhgis-data-i-downloaded-what-should-i-do/187/1 "2013-01-05T11:38:00Z")

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Something is wrong with the NHGIS data I downloaded. What should I do?

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**Author:** ![NHGIS\_Project](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/13edae/32.png) [@NHGIS\_Project](https://forum.ipums.org/u/NHGIS_Project)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 1:20pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/something-is-wrong-with-the-nhgis-data-i-downloaded-what-should-i-do/187/2 "2013-01-20T13:20:00Z")

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There are lots of reasons why something may seem wrong with your data. Typically the issue stems from trying to use the incorrect data format for your software or the odd quirks that exist in older census data. Review the information on the [User’s Guide](https://www.nhgis.org/user-resources/users-guide) and [Data Documentation](https://www.nhgis.org/documentation) pages for additional information. Of course, always feel free to contact NHGIS User Support at [nhgis@umn.edu](mailto:nhgis@umn.edu) with any questions you may have.