Of Documents and Archives: The First Modern Census of Texas

A first modern census of Texas, conducted in 1777 under Governor Juan María Vicencio, Baron de Ripperdá, reveals that the Spanish colonial administration was more connected and systematic than previously thought. This census, overlooked by earlier historians due to incomplete documentation, established a model for subsequent colonial censuses in Texas and across the Spanish empire. Researchers reconstructed the census using archival records from multiple locations, demonstrating how late 18th-century bureaucratic processes facilitated transatlantic communication and data collection. The study highlights the importance of accurately evaluating historical documents to understand the administrative reforms and information systems of the time.

Abell, S., & Inglis, G. D. (2018). Of Documents and Archives: The First Modern Census of Texas. Southwestern Historical Quarterly, 122(2), 176–200. https://doi.org/10.1353/swh.2018.0075