Jane is waiting at the door of the National Archives near her on April 1, 2082***. (Ya, they still make ya tromps over to the building, no one knows why. I mean, really, it IS 2082, the internet has been around for about 100 years, give or take.)
Anyway, Jane is doing the pre-genie-dance in anticipation. The doors open, she finds her computerized digital reading port and orders up the census reports for the locality she knows you lived in. She waits just a few moments, these reading ports are the latest technology, fast, efficient.
So, in just a few moments, Jane is gazing at your 2010 census questionnaire. But wait, nope, that is not you! Where are you? She looks around some more, sends in additional search requests, maybe you lived in City Z, not City X as she believed. Jane uses a few different spellings, leaves off your given name just requests your surname. Jane is NOT finding you.****
WHY???
Well, because back in 2010, some 72 years ago, you took exception to the questions on the census, you felt it was no one’s business. Being just a bit of a rebel, you objected, strongly, and ignored the census forms. OK, so, they fined you $5,000 for that objection, it was well worth it, you kept ole Uncle Sam outta your house and your business.Poor Jane, her ancestor hunt stymied. No genie-happy dances in April of 2082. Poor Jane.
And, now, we return you to the year 2010.
*Lots of information on the 2010 census can be found here, 2010 Census (as of 2019, link does not function)
**You can even download a widget (as of 2019, link does not function) to your web page that has a countdown to the 2010 census.
***Based on continuance of current regulations that census is released after 72 years.
****Based on the assumption that indexing has improved in the last 72 years. OK, I hear all my genie-friends groaning at that! LOL
*****I realized as I attempted to write this post that I have a lousy imagination when it comes to what it will be like to live in 2082. No science fiction writer am I.
******Thanks to friends Jim and Bob over at Facebook for the “inspiration” for this post.
*******Census graphic found online several years ago, source data long lost. Brickwall thanks to VintageKin.com (link does not function in 2019)
*******No question about income is on the 2010 census, thank you Amanda (the librarian) for correcting me.
Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence.
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