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

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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 over 317 million 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. The Census Tree includes women and Black Americans at unprecedented rates, containing 314 million links for the former and more than 41 million for the latter.

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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    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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