Daily AncestorCannot read, cannot write
Cannot read and cannot write were census literacy columns: a mark meant the person could not read, or could not write, in any language.
In 1850 the column was persons over 20 who cannot read and write, and reading and writing a foreign language counted as literate. In 1870 reading and writing became two separate questions for everyone 10 and over, because many who claimed to read admitted they could not write.
From 1900 the columns asked Can read and Can write, answered Yes or No, for everyone 10 and over. A person marked here may have signed deeds and wills with an X, his or her mark.
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Daily Ancestor. "Cannot read, cannot write." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/census-terms/cannot-read-cannot-write. Last checked 2026-10-03.