Family and Demographic Change in Post-Revolutionary Mexico: Insights from a New, National Household Sample of the 1930 Population Census

Robert McCaa, University of Minnesota
Aurora Gomez-Galvarriato, Archivo General de la Nacion (Mexico)

A new, high precision, systematic household sample of the 1930 population census of Mexico provides insights into the demographic costs and consequences of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). Previous research, forced to rely solely on published statistics of vital events and population censuses, underestimated the demographic impact of the revolution on fertility as well as mortality (McCaa 2003, Gutmann et. al. 2000, Odorica and Lezama 1993, Mier y Teran 1982, Greer 1966). The 1930 sample drawn from the original census schedules carefully preserved at the National Archives of Mexico makes it possible to assess the effects of the revolution on regions, indigenous populations, and even co-resident family groups. The sample prepared by the Mexican National Archives with the assistance of the Minnesota Population Center includes both the data recorded in the field as well as extensive edits by the National Department of Statistics. The sample will be disseminated by both institutions.