Get Ready: 1940 Census is Coming!

There are some events you can set your watch by: tax deadlines, elections, etc. Maybe you didn't know it, but you can count on something else: every 10 years the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) releases another U.S. Census for genealogists to devour. And - wait for it - 2012 is such a year. We're still a few months away from the official release date (April 2nd), but I'd like to suggest that you utilize this time to get ready. First, a few details about the census itself:

Census Date: 01 April 1940

Population: 132,164,569

Data Collected: address, home owned or rented, name, relationship to head of household, gender, race, age, marital status, school attendance, educational attainment, birthplace (if foreign born, citizenship), location of residence five years ago, employment status if at work, occupation, weeks worked last year, wage and salary income last year (sample 1940 census form)

The best thing about this census is that its release is being coordinated in advance - ensuring free access for everyone. The census will also be made available in digital form from the first day of release. FamilySearch and its partners will manage the indexing process - meaning that it shouldn't be too long before you are able to search for your family.

While you are waiting (with baited breath, I'm sure) to be able to dive into this valuable resource, you may want to consider attending a lecture (some people are call them a "get ready class") on the subject. Most Family History Centers should have information about that kind of opportunity. It would also be a good idea to look around in your local area to see if there are any genealogy societies hosting similar events.

If you are interested in a more "self-directed" experience, you can browse some of these sites for more 1940 Census resources and research ideas:

Ancestry 1940 Census Substitute
Facebook
NARAtions
USGenWeb

One more important thing to remember: the 1940 Census release experience may turn out to be a little like "Black Friday" (i.e., the day after U.S. Thanksgiving). We've recently seen examples (e.g., 1901 UK Census, 1901/1911 Ireland Census) where the servers couldn't handle the traffic. So, it may take a few weeks (and a LOT of patience) for the average person to find a lot in the census. But don't give up trying! This resource is very valuable for family history research and may help you make a connection between Grandma's stories and your own life. Happy hunting!