2010 Census Forms to be Preserved as Digital Images

In 2082, your descendants will be able to check your handwriting. For the first time ever, original census forms filled out by residents will be preserved and scanned. Digital images will be kept and will be released to the public in 72 years.

The original pieces of paper will be scanned, then shredded. The digital images will be preserved.

130 million household forms will be converted into permanent electronic records. The images will even include notes scribbled in the margins. You DID write some extra information that will benefit your descendants, didn't you?

Another 50 million forms will come from places like group homes, prisons, temporary housing facilities and, starting in May, from 700,000 census workers in the field.