1940 Census — Countdown to 2012
There are 1422 days remaining until Sunday, April 1, 2012.
The official date for the 1940 Census was April 1st, but since that day will fall on a Sunday in 2012, it is unclear whether reseachers will have weekend access to film at the National Archives or will instead need to wait until Monday, April 2nd to satisfy their genealogical curiosity.
(No — this isn't an April Fools joke, you can check your calendar)
Getting Ready for 1940 Research
Since you've got so much time, there may be no urgency to this right now, but don't wait until the night before to start getting ready for one of the biggest genealogical events since, well — since April 2002 when the 1930 Census was released.
Start by listing those direct-line ancestors who you have found in the 1930 census and that you know were still living in 1940. While it's possible that they may still be living in the same city or state, don't rule out the fact that your ancestors may have moved. Once you have listed these individuals, consider looking for anyone in their mid-to-late teens or 20s who may have been living in the household in 1930, but may now be found as a head of their own household. Next, you'll want to repeat this same process for indirect ancestors (aunts & uncles).
1940 Census — Street Transcription Project
On 01 April 2012, the 1940 Census will be released from the 72-year privacy mandate and family historians will flood to National Archives in search of ancestors. BUT there will not be an index available and so researchers will be required to know the Enumeration District in the city or town where their ancestors lived. If you would like to help in this effort, visit www.stevemorse.org for more details about a project to create a free time-saving tool for your fellow genealogists throughout the world.
Questions Asked on the 1940 Census
The Bureau of the Census (Department of Commerce) provided standardized forms in 1940 for all Enumerators as in previous years. The standard Population Schedule had 34 questions and more than a dozen Supplemental Questions asked only for those persons who were enumerated on specified lines. This was the means used to ensure a random nature in obtaining supplemental information. Learn more about Questions Asked on the 1940 Census.
1940 Map of the United States
By 1940, the outline of the United States and the individual borders for the 48 contiguous states had become familiar to many, both in America and elsewhere throughout the world. The American Flag would display 48 stars, one for each state, for more than four decades. Those researching their family history are encouraged to understand the geographic area where their ancestors lived. This is especially true if your ancestors lived in the northeast or in border towns. It's possible that a move just a few miles away could result in a new state of residence. View 1940 Map of the U.S..
Other Useful Sites for Genealogy
As you conduct your family history research, you will quickly realize that no one source can answer all your questions. This is true for original source material, physical archives, and those archives that have been digitized and transcribed for searching via the Internet.
Here are some other useful sites:
¤ LDS Church (the Mormon Church)
¤ Genealogy 101 Tips for Beginners & Free forms
¤ Ellis Island (The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation)
¤ American Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island
¤ 1910 Census - free details for researching 1910 census records
¤ 1920 Census - free details for researching 1920 census records
¤ 1930 Census - free details for researching 1930 census records
¤ 1940 Census - countdown to the 1940 census availability
¤ Vital Records tips at Genealogy Worldwide
¤ New York Passenger Lists, detail about the Port of NY
¤ SteveMorse.org (One Step Search Tools)
¤ Castle Garden
¤ APG (Assoc. of Professional Genealogists)
¤ Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter (by Dick Eastman)
¤ NY Arrivals searcing NY passenger arrivals
If you know of other free sites that are particularly helpful, please contact us.