I did a pre-census prior to the 1980 Census and it is quite difficult
work. Although the pre-census was just to gather every residencial
address, often you had to talk to people. I remember one particular
house that had no house number and no one would answer the door. A
neighbor told me that she didn't know the number, but she thought they
were illegal aliens and they thought I had something to do with the
government, therefore would not answer the door.
I think in your case the writing was the problem - S can look like L
with some old handwriting. But remember, if the people weren't English
literate (and sometimes if they were), the census taker spelled things
as she/he heard it. They didn't always ask how to spell something.
Also, as a pre-teen I remember a census taker coming to the door and I
answered the questions. Were a pre-teens answers correct??
:)
PJ
crayton@frontiernet.net
(I lost my signature file - who knows what my 17 year old did!)