I worked for the census in 1990, first as an enumerator, later as a field operations supervisor. The information is supposed to be private for 70 years. Don't you believe it. The census bureau SOLD the information collected, minus the names, to at least one city in Texas, and God only knows how many other cities for use in their city directories. Seems people were reluctant to fill out questionares for the cities. Of course, the information went house by house, address by address, and the city knew whose name the water and sewage bill was in, so guess what? They just added in the names from their records, and everyone else in town knew how much you made, how many lived in your house, their ages, etc. Do you really want every burgular and would-be murderer or child abductor to know this? I think not. If you tell them your social security number, just think how many people will have it for their use to apply for all kinds of credit in your name. After all, you will also be telling them your birthdate. If they are resourceful and really know how to use the internet, they can also find your drivers' license number. You could be bankrupt in nothing flat. I did not fill out anything except the number of people in the house, and my name and address. That is all they need. If the enumerator shows up, politely ask them to leave. If they persist, politely tell them they are trespassing, and if they do not leave, you will file charges. You have the right. The census department doesn't want to alienate people any further than they already have.(posted 9622 days ago)Also, the census last time had long forms that were distributed to every 6th house like they are supposed to be distributed this time. Also, if you think these forms are invasive, you should see the MEDICAL census forms. They ask if you have hemorroids, birth marks (and if so, where), if you have had an abortion (if so, how many and when), if you have had a miscarriage (if so, how many and when), how many children you have had, and by how many different people, if you now have or have ever had venereal disease, if you use illegal drugs, have varicose veins, and HOW MANY BOWEL MOVEMENTS PER DAY!!! Several census workers quit when told to go out with the medical census.
You all can do what you want. I will only tell them what was required in the original census. In my opinion, anything beyond that is just prying.
As for the geneology question, I too have used old census records in search of my family tree. Of course, if those people along the line had kept records, I would have already known my family history. Record your own family history and hand it down to your own family and they won't need the census records.