NOTE: I think the information is important (to me) and obviously to those who might want to search for kin folks from the past. I know most of you were not even born at this time...Good luck
Census record release will shine light on 1940
On Monday, a new chapter from 1940 opens online.
At precisely 8 a.m. Central time, individual records from the 1940 U.S. census will be released on the website 1940census.archives.gov.
This treasure trove of data will provide family historians across America a chance to search for parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, distant cousins, aunts and uncles.
Eventually, social scientists will be able to glean new information from this pivot point year in American history with the country perched between economic depression and world war.
"The 1940 census took place at the end of a decade of great economic and social disruption," said David Pemberton, a historian with the U.S. Census Bureau.
Individual census records are released 72 years after collection. It may take as long as one year to get an alphabetical index of the names of 132.2 million people recorded in 1940.
The data can be searched by what is known as enumeration districts, the areas covered by the 120,000 census takers. Enumeration maps are available on the National Archives' website.
"I do think the average person can do it on their own," said Rebecca Warlow, the 1940 census manager for the National Archives.
I personally have started to search for people who played a painful role in my life as I grew up in Texas during the period when this census count was taken. I am sure you will find something very constructive in going over these files that are now at our disposal.
As some of you know, I grew up during the tail end of the Great Depression and I certainly think some of you may have gone through the same experiences. Perhaps this will also give you an opportunity to find loved ones of long ago..
Sorry for the short diary. I am currently involved in personal house chores that need my attention. I did not see anything written about this new information this morning. I think it is important like I said, and wanted to share it with you.
You can read the whole scoop Here