Our view: Every 10 years

Americans have been debating who should be counted ever since. The Constitution originally mandated counting slaves as three-fifths of a person although slave-owning states deemed slaves property, not persons. Indians were not included in the official count until 1840, and then only those who had renounced tribal life.

The question of whether non-citizens should be counted is under debate right now. Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana, has introduced a bill that would require the government to count only citizens when reapportioning Congress. The Constitution now mandates a count based on "the whole number of persons in each state."

Gold-rush era Alaska censuses demonstrate many sourdoughs didn't bother with citizenship after immigrating to the United States. They are listed like the rest of their neighbors with the word "no" in questions that ask about their naturalization.

The 1930 Alaska census is quirky in one respect. Census takers began their work Oct. 1, 1929 -- months before the rest of the nation. This means a number of people counted on the rolls were dead before 1930 began. Aviator Carl Ben Eielson, killed in Siberia crash Nov. 9, 1929, is the most striking example. The 1930 census has him residing in Fairbanks.

Those who read 19th century census records will be struck by the typical reference to women's occupations. Women are "keeping house" or "at home." Women were not permitted to become enumerators until 1880.

The quality of the census clearly has been influenced by the enumerators skills, curiosity and handwriting. Some census pages of yesteryear are difficult to decipher.

The political atmosphere has influenced what Americans tell enumerators. Some immigrants whose country of origin was Russia in 1910 listed Finland as their home country in 1920 after Finland won independence during the Russian Revolution. Some who were Germans in 1910 found new countries of origin in 1920 as a result of damage to Germany's reputation during World War I.

A number of Americans in every state are reluctant to comply with the census. They believe the questions are intrusive, overbearing or unnecessary. But the census questions are limited and census information does not become public for 72 years. The 1940 census will become available April 1, 2012.

The colonial architects of the census believed Americans needed an accurate portrait of themselves and the progress of their nation. That's what the census offers. As well as providing the population figures used in reapportioning the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures. And serving, sometimes, as the basis for the allocation of federal funds.

So when the census staff contacts you, fill out the forms as asked. If you have doubts or questions that make you hesitate, staffers are trained to answer them. The census is history in the making -- and every American can participate.

BOTTOM LINE: The census is a constitutional exercise and a measure of the United States. Don't be left out.