Reconstructing Household Units Using Census Data and Plans

Summary

This paper will present the benefits and limitations of incorporating census data in the analysis of household units in San Juan, Puerto Rico to archaeological investigations. The objective of this research is to study part of the population that resided in four streets, located west of the Cathedral in the capital of San Juan during 1910. The Cathedral Ward was selected with the understanding that the area was associated to elite residents since the 16th century. Specifically, this research is focused on studying the information recorded in the census form, which includes: professions and trades, race, nationality, family relationships and civil status. The Porto-Rico Board of Fire Underwriters plan from 1921 was used to identify the types of structures within these streets, the lot distribution, and number of stories for the buildings. By combining these sources, it was possible to reconstruct the number of families living in those streets, as well as social status. This analysis and interpretation allowed to add a layer of information to the history of the building and the streets, which in turn can be correlated to existing archaeological data from completed projects.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Inter- and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Archaeological Research in the Caribbean

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17104