U.S., 1880 Federal Census Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes

In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, a supplemental schedule called “Dependent, Defective, and Delinquent Classes” was included. This schedule included different forms to enumerate the following classes of individuals:

• Insane
• Idiots
• Deaf-mutes
• Blind
• Paupers and Indigent persons
• Homeless children
• Prisoners

This data collection currently contains these schedules for the following states:

• Alabama
• California
• Connecticut
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington

In addition to the individual’s name, their race, gender, age and residence were also included. For individuals with mental or physical illness, questions regarding their medical history were asked. For the homeless children, questions about their parents were asked. For the prisoners, details regarding their imprisonment were asked.

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