Life Table, Age Structure and Survivorship of Humans in Austin, Texas (1800-1899)
Oakwood Cemetery

This is Austin’s oldest cemetery established in 1839 when the city was founded, and is located at 1601 Navasota St.  Many of Austin’s famous, infamous and true characters are buried in this cemetery.

Field Data Collection
1.  At Oakwood Cemetery, in Austin, Texas, you will be assigned to one section of the Cemetery and you will gather birth, death, age and gender information for people buried before 1900.  You will need to keep separate data sheets on those people born between1800-1849 and those born 1850-1899.

The sections correspond to a: (1) General Population of Austinites, (2) a Jewish Population, and (3) an African-American population (Note: Most African-American gravesites were marked with wooden grave markeres and have been lost over the years.)

2.  Prior to collecting data, select an age group (children <15; young folks 15-30; or middle aged folks 31-50; or older folks >51).  Whenever you find a person in this age group, write down their name (be sure to relate the name to their data record).  You will use this information to investigate causes of death for this age group.  You can also compare causes of death in this age group for each ethnicity.  This information is accessible via the City of Austin’s website:

http://www.wiredforyouth.com/oakwood/index.cfm?option=combosearch

3.  After collecting your data, you will download an Excel file (CemeteryData.xls) from the course webpage.  Enter the data on the correct page (General, Jewish, African-American), then email your file to your TA.  SAVE the data sheet and bring it to the field trip on Friday!!!!

Kendra: kendrabauer@mail.utexas.edu Jeremy: rostov@mail.utexas.edu

Data Analysis
1.  Calculate and prepare age pyramids (histogram) for the different populations (General, Jewish, or African-American) separating males and females [3 graphs each has male and female represented].

2.  Calculate survivorship curves for all THREE populations (do NOT separate males and females).  You will create one graph with three curves plotted. [1 graph with 3 curves].

3.  Write a short summary describing the similarities and differences among populations and among the sexes.

4.  Investigate the cause of death for your age group and write a short summary. Be sure to LIST the names of the people you are investigating.  To do this, begin in year 1866, using the online database, look for people in your age class, select the record and note the person's name, age and cause of death.  Continue doing so until you have 15 names/causes of death.  If you cannot find this in 1866, then go to 1867 and so on, until you have 15 names.

 

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