Life After the 1940 Census

Thanks to the contributions of over 136,000 indexers, the 1940 US Census project is well ahead of schedule. Indexing and arbitration of all states is expected to be complete in July. The indexes for many states have already been published at FamilySearch.org. The remainder will be published soon. Volunteers are naturally concerned about maintaining their enthusiasm. FamilySearch is pleased to announce that following completion of the 1940 US Census, a major effort will commence to index US Immigration and Naturalization records. As the U. S. is a nation of immigrant families, this is a foundational element of American research. Many millions of these records are currently available as images in the FamilySearch collections, but now must be indexed in order to make them searchable. As with the 1940 US Census, FamilySearch will seek support from genealogical societies and the general public. Source: FamilySearch Blog, June 29, 2012

Dennis Brimhall on the Community Census Project

"By the world’s standards, this census effort has been an enviable example of “crowdsourcing” (the industry buzzword for the “many hands makes light work” philosophy). For us, it is another in a long line of group collaborative projects that promote our vision of creating and linking the best and most valuable research resources to help people discover who they are by exploring where they come from. We have been working collaboratively with volunteers, record custodians, and the general public for well over 100 years to make genealogy records more available," he said.

"Even if our sights were set on the swift and successful completion of the 1940 census alone, we would have to be grateful and excited. But imagine the possibilities of such a dedicated, trained, and motivated workforce as we shift focus from census records to immigration and naturalization records, and country-specific record sets like those represented by our Italy ancestor project. I hope it is plain to see the potential of our growing volunteer workforce and the impact you all can have on the present and future of family history," Brimhall concluded.

Read more: KCSG Television - UPDATE Family Search Volunteers and 1940 Census Project 

Infographic on Release of 1940 Census

Michael LeClerc posted this interesting infographic on the Mocavo blog today. These numbers are just mind-boggling!

4 More Days! 1940 Census

Indexing 1940 Census: Please Help

 Indexing

The 1940 census will be released April 2nd in the form of an image database by the National Archives. FamilySearch needs YOUR help in indexing these valuable records! 
   

This is how you can help: 

• If you have not done indexing, get started now so that you will know how to do it. Go to  https://familysearch.org/volunteer/indexing to see a "2-Minute Test Drive" and to register.
• To participate in the 1940 Census Indexing project, an additional registration is requested. See  https://www.familysearch.org/1940census.

Get Ready to Index the 1940 Census

This link takes you to a very good article by Family Tree Magazine about everything you need to know to index and get the most out of the 1940 census. Remember it'll be released at 9:30am Monday, April 2.  

1940 US Census Project Update

 The launch of the 1940 US Census Community Project is now less than 40 days away! Thousands of people and hundreds of genealogy societies and other organizations have signed up to help provide free and open access to this amazing collection by indexing the census images to make them searchable online.

The indexing infrastructure has undergone a significant upgrade just this week as we make final preparations for the launch of this monumental effort.

Get Ready Now

Many indexing projects are now available to help you learn how the indexing software works and to help you train for the release of the 1940 US federal census on April 2. These projects include the following:

• Iowa 1895 State Census
• New York 1855 State Census
• WWI Draft Registration Cards (multiple states)
• WWII Draft Registration Cards (multiple states)
• US Passenger Lists (multiple states)
• 1890 Census of Union Veterans and Widows
• Texas Births and Deaths
• UK 1871 Census

If you haven’t already had a chance, you can download the indexing software and get started today.

The 1940 census includes those who have been called “the Greatest Generation.” Get ready to index these records to ensure that everyone can be found, every connection can be made, and every legacy can be preserved.

Spread the Word

You can help us spread the word, even if you can’t find time to participate in indexing right now. Getting others involved will make the indexing effort go more quickly.

Here are a few ways to let others know about this nationwide opportunity for service:

• Tell your friends to join the cause by registering at The1940Census.com .
• Are you in a society? Index census records as a society .
• Do you blog or have a website? Become an ambassador to spread the word.
• Are you on Facebook? Like our page on Facebook .
• Are you on Twitter? Follow @The1940Census and join the conversation using #1940census.

Who Will You Find?

If you are interested in finding a specific individual in the 1940 US Census, we want to hear from you. Please tell us who you are hoping to find and why. Send a message to blog@the1940census.com .

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,
The 1940 US Census Community Project Team

FamilySearch to Launch Major 1940 US Census Indexing Project

As reported in the Church News and Events today, FamilySearch will begin publishing the 1940 US Federal Census online for free on April 2, 2012. Tens of thousands of indexers are needed to help make the digital images searchable online. You can read more about the project here. Please consider signing up as a volunteer to help index the census.

We Can All Help Index 1940 Census

Indexing

ARE YOU PREPARED TO HELP WITH THE 1940 CENSUS? The 1940 census will be released April 2nd in the form of an image database by the National Archives. They need YOUR help in indexing these valuable records!

There were 132 million people living in the 48 continental United States during 1940. There are tens of millions of people living in the U.S. today that are in that census. Here are some of the interesting facts found in this census:

• Where people lived 5 years before
• Highest education grade achieved
• Detailed income and occupation
• Marriage information for all women, times married, and number of children 

This census will assist the researcher to fill in much information about his or her family. But it must be indexed! Indexing will be completed, hopefully, in 6 months!  It will take more indexers than currently registered.

This is how you can help: 

1. If you have not done indexing, get started now so that you will know how to do it. Go to  https://familysearch.org/volunteer/indexing to take a "2-Minute Test Drive" and to register.
2. To participate in the 1940 Census Indexing project, an additional registration is requested. Go to  https://www.familysearch.org/1940census

The indexing results will be free, so get on board and lets get the task accomplished in as short of time as we can!  Their goal is to complete 2 states the first two days!

Reprinted from Logan Utah Family History Center Newsletter, Vol 13, Issue 6, 8 Feb 2012

Note: Visit the1940census.com to learn more.

Help Index 1940 Census

The 1940 Census will be released April 2nd. We have an opportunity to help index the pages so they're available in a search. Go here to read about it and sign up to help. 

Looking Ahead at the 1940 Census

Dick Eastman writes a daily genealogy newsletter. Today he offered a good article about what we need to do to prepare to use the 1940 census, particularly focusing on Enumeration Districts, since the Census will not be indexed until late 2012. You can read the article here.  
While you're at the site of Dick's newsletter, you might consider subscribing...it comes daily to your email and is free.

1940 Census Info at FamilySearch.org

ON APRIL 2, 2012, NARA will provide access to the images of the 1940 United States Federal Census for the first time. Unlike previous census years, images of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census will be made available as free digital images. Read all about the census here at Family Search.org.