Ready! Set! Go! Let’s Celebrate 1940!

February 29, 2012

At 6:00 a.m. on April 2, 2012, Midwest Genealogy Center will open its doors for anyone wanting to look at the 1940 Census. You will be able to "Get Ready" by attending a class to help you understand the 1940 Federal Census. You’ll "Get Set" by researching addresses and city directories. At 8:00 a.m., the 1940 Federal Population Census will be released to the public. And you will be ready to "GO!" to the National Archives and Records Administration website.

There’s a lot of talk on the Internet about this census and how different it is from 1930 to 1850. It seems the Census Bureau is taking a step backwards. In the 1940 census, a project called "sampling" was started. Everyone was asked the basic 34 questions: Location, Name, Description, Education, and Employment Status. But only two people per page (usually lines 14 and 29) will be asked the other 16 questions: Parent’s Place of Birth, Veteran, Social Security, Occupation, Women (marriage and childbirth).

Oh, one more thing. There’s no index. That’s why addresses are going to be so important. Bring all information you have from 1930 and city directories about the location of your ancestor. Our friend at www.stevemorse.org has released finding aids to match 1930 Enumeration Districts with 1940 EDs.

Registration to this event is required. Library computers will be available on a first-registered-first-served basis. We advise everyone with a laptop to bring it and use MGC’s Wifi connection. 1940s dress optional!

Angela M.
Midwest Genealogy Center