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Breakthroughs in Historical Record Linking Using Genealogy Data: The Census Tree Project

Author

Listed:
  • Kasey Buckles
  • Adrian Haws
  • Joseph Price
  • Haley E.B. Wilbert

Abstract

The Census Tree is the largest-ever database of record links among the historical U.S. censuses, with over 700 million links for people living in the United States between 1850 and 1940. These high-quality links allow researchers in the social sciences and other disciplines to construct a longitudinal dataset that is highly representative of the population. In this paper, we describe our process for creating the Census Tree, beginning with a collection of links contributed by the users of a free online genealogy platform. We then use these links as training data for a machine learning algorithm to make new matches and incorporate other recent efforts to link the historical U.S. censuses. Finally, we introduce a procedure for filtering the links and adjudicating disagreements. Our complete Census Tree achieves match rates between adjacent censuses that are between 69 and 86% for men, and between 58 and 79% for women. To demonstrate the advantages of the Census Tree, we extend the work of Abramitzky, Boustan, Jácome, and Pérez (2021) to include intergenerational mobility estimates for additional immigrant nationalities and for women.

Suggested Citation

  • Kasey Buckles & Adrian Haws & Joseph Price & Haley E.B. Wilbert, 2023. "Breakthroughs in Historical Record Linking Using Genealogy Data: The Census Tree Project," NBER Working Papers 31671, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31671
    Note: CH DAE LS
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    Cited by:

    1. Philipp Ager & Casper Worm Hansen & Peter Z. Lin, 2023. "Medical Technology and Life Expectancy: Evidence from the Antitoxin Treatment of Diphtheria," Working Papers 0241, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    2. Daniela Vidart, 2024. "Revisiting the Link Between Electrification and Fertility: Evidence from the Early 20th Century United States," Working papers 2024-03, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics.
    3. Philipp Ager & Viktor Malein, 2024. "The Long-Term Effects of Charity Nurseries: Evidence From Early 20th Century New York," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2024_596, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • N01 - Economic History - - General - - - Development of the Discipline: Historiographical; Sources and Methods

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