Why would the 1940 U.S. Census have an entry that is listed as an error?

Question

One of my recent projects has been to research, compile what I know, & develop my great grandfather Robert Graham Sr.'s profile. In my venture I noticed on the 1940 Census where he is listed with my great grandmother Eva and daughter Pamela (Pamla in the record,) that my grandfather Robert G. Jr. is mentioned, but has been lined out, and "error" is written right next to his name. Which is puzzling as most of the information have on my grandfather Robert Jr. puts his birth date as 15 April 1940, the only variation being simply 1940. The Census was taken on the 13th of May 1940, and seemingly should have listed my grandfather without error. Any thoughts? Personally, I'm leaning toward understanding the error as a mistake by the enumerator.

Here's a link: 1940 U.S. Census for Robert Wagner Sr.

Answer 1

Including your great-grandfather was a mistake, as the census was only supposed to enumerate persons alive before 1 April 1940, the official date of the census. The date your great-grandfather's family was actually enumerated is irrelevant. Therefore, he should not have been counted and that is why he was crossed out and "error" written next to his name. You are lucky that he was mistakenly included, otherwise would wouldn't have found him until the 1950 census when he was almost ten years old. 

Answer 2

It might have been an error, if he was in hospital or with relatives.(he might have been sickly)

Comments

The record was marked error and the entry was never completed.

Answer 3

Any recording mistake that can be made will be made at some time. I warn myself against assuming mistakes in every record pertaining to a person (which can be tempting when you get a bit further back in time).

In your case, where everything else is in order, it seems pretty safe to assume that Robert Jr. being crossed out as an error was indeed a mistake. Perhaps the enumerator meant to cross out something in another family in that set.

Answer 4

If you look at the census record, you will see that it was completed in mid May. Census records are effective April 1st and Robert was born April 15th.  He started to write the info down but then realized that he did not belong on the census due to his birth date so he was crossed out,  you are just lucky to see him on the report. I would still use this as a reference with a note that this is what happened.