Lost but not forgotten: the U.S. census of 1890

"The 1990 decennial census of population marked the bicentennial of the United States census enterprise. As we observed and participated in the activities of the 1990 census, it provided the opportunity to reflect on earlier experiences. This article considers the census of 1890, outlines the historical significance of that census, and examines the events surrounding the accidental destruction of the 1890 census records."