I know, and you are probably right. And I'm guessing it was true on both sides. In the case of most of my family, they spoke English just fine. My 94 year old grandfather has done his share of censuses and speaks no other language. But they got his name wrong a few times. I wonder if some of the people hired to take down this info, really cared about quality or just how fast they get it done and go home. Not much has changed. But still, you would think "And how do you spell that?" would be a common sense question and wouldn't take too much time. And, you would think the person offering up the info, would also offer up the spelling. I always offer it up before offer up the spelling of my name when I see somebody writing it down.

As for the 2010 census...it almost seems like they could use the money being put aside to "advertise" it (the largest amount yet) and us it to figure out an easier way to combine with other records that are out there already.

But I guess the old methods still work too :)