Daily AncestorOt
Ot in the census means other: in 1910 and 1920 a race not on the list, and in 1940 and 1950 another activity than work or housework.
In 1910 and 1920, enumerators wrote Ot in the color or race column for anyone outside the listed groups, and were told to write the actual race in the left margin of the sheet. Always read that margin.
In 1940, Ot was the catch-all among H, S and U for people not working, not seeking work and without a job, such as retired people still able to work or seasonal workers. The 1950 census used Ot in the same way in its activity column.
As seen in a recordColor or race column of the 1910 census, with the race written in the margin
Rahim, Ali, Lodger, M, Ot, 30
Sources
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Ot." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/abbreviations/census-ot. Last checked 2026-10-10.