Literal question
For all persons
l. Marital status: ____
State whether single, married, widowed, divorced, or separated.
Interviewer instructions
Column (l): Marital status
118. 'Is this person single, married, widowed, divorced, or separated?'
119. Persons who have never been married and children under 12 years of age should be shown as 'single'.
120. People living together as man and wife, and who so regard themselves should be shown as 'married' whether or not they have been through any civil, religious or customary ceremonies. The census is not trying to find out who is legally married and who is not. Accept the answer as it is given you.
121. If a person is widowed at the time of the census, he or she should be shown as 'widowed'. If a person has been widowed but has since re-married and is now married, he or she should be shown as 'married'.
122. If people think of themselves as divorced or separated, show them as such. It does not matter whether they have been to court or gone through other formalities. Accept the answer as it is given you.
123. Accept what people say about their marital status. Do not embarrass yourself or the person by enquiring into the nature of marriage and divorce.
