Mr. Greenspan commented that the Census was not using the
postal map but using the true map of city, villages and hamlets.
Since I did some of the preparation work in Saratoga County for
Census 2000, I must tell you that their system has some real
problems.  Why the government does not use only a GIS map
for all of the Census is beyond me. With most counties and
towns using GIS mapping for all of their needs, one has to
wonder why anything else, especially some from over 50 years
ago would still be in use.

The maps I was given, in some areas, did not match the town
maps.  After working with the Town Assessors and other town
officials to correctly identify the areas on my map, we discovered
that there were quite a few errors.  I had to redraw entire areas
to place the residences I recorded on the map.  Some subdivisions
have been situated there for over 20 years and should have been
included in the 1980 and 1990 census but were not on the
map at all.

Another census person was assigned the area adjoining mine
but the information she had was not correct and because I had
checked it at the town hall, found that she and I overlapped in
some parts of a road and that parts of the upper road was not
included in either of our maps. Also the name of the road at
the foot of the hill did not mean a thing but the older residents
knew what was correct.  The local firestation was at the foot of
the hill beside the sign and when I asked what they would tell
the fire department, found that that was not even what they use.
We were suppose to have been supplied with the latest information
from 911 setup which included the latest street names, etc.

Some roads on my map were logging roads of pre-1940's and
grown over but we were required to drive (usually walk because
it was not passable) to the far end of each as indicated on our map.

Some roads were extended, cut off or no longer there. In other
words the picture was totally changed many years ago.

Distances in feet were way off and some not even close. I included
the mileage to each in tenths of a mile for their use. The town
assessor sent me to one man who resided in the town over 60 years
and longer than anyone else in the area on the map. He showed me
all of the areas that were missing and gave me better distances to
follow.

It would be work, I am sure, but it would seem like before the next
census of 2010, that our government should attempt to convert to
the GIS mapping system. All residences could be located on those
maps and assigned a definite location ID and it would simplify a
lot of processes for not only census but any municipal govenment
to properly identify all necessary information for taxes, utilities, and
other reports as needed.

Ruth Ann Messick