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. 2010 Apr;43(2):45-79.
doi: 10.1080/01615441003720449.

Decennial Life Tables for the White Population of the United States, 1790-1900

J David Hacker  1
Affiliations

Decennial Life Tables for the White Population of the United States, 1790-1900

J David Hacker. Hist Methods. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

This article constructs new life tables for the white population of the United States in each decade between 1790 and 1900. Drawing from several recent studies, it suggests best estimates of life expectancy at age 20 for each decade. These estimates are fitted to new standards derived from the 1900-02 rural and 1900-02 overall DRA life tables using a two-parameter logit model with fixed slope. The resulting decennial life tables more accurately represent sex-and age-specific mortality rates while capturing known mortality trends.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Male life expectancy at age 20
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proportion dying by age group, white females in 1901 Death registration area
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Proportion dying by age group, white females in rural areas of the 1901–02 DRA compared to Princeton model West and model North
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Proportion dying by age group, native-born whites in Preston-Bennett 1850–60 life table
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Ratio of male to female probability of dying by age (qx)
Figure 6
Figure 6
Life Expectancy at birth, white population of the United States, 1790–1900
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Proportion dying by age group, white males
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Proportion dying by age group, white females
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