Navigating to the 1940 Census on FamilySearch

Individuals who want to view the 1940 Census images on FamilySearch.org will find the set up just a bit different from the usual way of accessing other images and databases.

Currently most images and databases are accessible by clicking on the correct area under the words "All Records Collections" which in this case is the United States. Once there take a moment to put the records in order by most recent date by double clicking 'last updated' and click on United States Census, 1940 and you are brought to this screen:

Very quickly the colorful map fades into a multi-color map which allows you to hoover over a state and see the indexing progress!

The color code is on the left and slowly but surely the colors are changing thanks to those who are helping with the indexing!



Each state is color coded as shown above. As you hover over a state you get a snapshot of what is happening...

Note on the two images above that Colorado is 98% finished indexing while Rhode Island is just 1% indexed. Each state provides you with a choice of helping, viewing and/or just learning more about that state. No matter what your choice everyone benefits...

1) If you choose to view the images-an ancestor or two is found and shared with other family members

2) If you choose to help, everyone benefits

3) If you choose to learn more you increase your knowledge about that state and learn about lots of   resources which will help your research in that state

When you choose to view the images, you are taken to a breakdown like this if the state isn't indexed completely:

Once the state is completely indexed this is the screen you will come to:

To all who are indexing, Thank you! Indexing will bring the 1940 Census to us for easier searching - collaboration and community in action!



Comments and Suggestions are always welcomed!

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)

Timeless Genealogies

We're Your Family is "No. 1"

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(c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   



National Archives Prepares for the 1940 Census!

The National Archives is also preparing for the release of the 1940 Census on April 2nd at 9 am EST!

The image on the left of this blog is from their website and to add to the excitement they have a 3 minute film clip about the 1940 census preparations being handled by the National Archives for the last three years.

The film is spliced between scenes of those preparing the records and clips from that time period. They state there are 3.9 million images and all have been checked to make sure that each page had an enumeration district. They state that you can locate individuals if you have the enumeration district and provide a guide on how to locate that information.

Their site provides information on how to search this census with help on locating the enumeration district ones' family may be located. Some of the information they provide is as follows:

• General Information
• Questions about this census
• Questions asked
• Selected lists of codes
• Finding aids: How to search the 1940 Census
• Enumeration District Maps
• Stephen P. Morse's Search Engines 
• Videos (these are worth viewing)
• Online articles

They have a countdown on their page which goes right down to the seconds and the link to their press release on February 21, 2012 provides some additional data.

Indexing this census will make searching it so much easier! To all who have volunteered and are ready to go, we who are researchers say thank you! Note that this is a joint venture between the following groups:

Archives.net

FamilySearch.org

FindMyPast.co.uk

National Genealogical Society

Federation of Genealogical Societies

Association of Professional Genealogists

Along with the awesome community of individuals who will be assisting with this great work! Bloggers, communities, societies, everyone who helps is to be commended for their work!

We live in exciting times as we contemplate the reality that this is the first census to be released digitally! If you haven't signed up, please do at http://the1940census.com/.

Comments and Suggestions are always welcomed!

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)

Timeless Genealogies

We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com

http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

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Twitter @TimelessGen

(c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   

Tidbits of the 1940s

During the 1940s, the types of jobs available were done by a lot of women as most men were called up to serve in the war. Jobs for men outside of the military were whatever they desired, however, women were either in the military or left to work in the coal mines, bomb factories, as bank tellers, aircraft mechanics, factory workers or typists.

Women fulfilled the need of jobs in the workplace while the men were away in the military. The world was dominated with World War II however, new ideas grew out of these times to help pull the United States out of the Great Depression. Rationing affected everthing, food, clothing, toys and everyones livelihood.

Radio played an important part as it provided news, music and all the entertainment available to those who lived during these times. There were children's stories, mystery hours, live radio and sports to help everyone get through each day.

Because of the war and what was going on in Europe, those who didn't agree with those in charge emigrated to the United States and created the perfect set of circumstances for new inventions and so many more advances that occured in those ten years. Many of these individuals who immigrated should be listed in the 1940 census.

So what is in the 1940 census records? This is the 16th census of the United States. There ae 34 columns of questions. Outside of the normal location, name, relationship, sex, age, marital status, education, place of birth, and citizenship, this census asks where an individuals was living on April 1, 1935, employment status if over 14 years old which includes type of work, number of weekly hours and salary.

I located a sample from the 1940Census.net website, hopefully you can see what it looks like in spite of the size in this blog. To view it better, go to the above website.

This is the first section:



This is the middle section:



This is the last section:



There were a number of individuals who took part in the supplementary questions which included more ancestral helpful information.

This census should help millions as they continue researching their families. Remember to volunteer your time to help index the 1940 US Census at https://the1940census.com/!

Comments and Suggestions are always welcomed!

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)

Timeless Genealogies

We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com

http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

Twitter @TimelessGen

(c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   

1940 Indexing Simulation - Most Interesting...

It's getting real close to the time when we will be able to work on this census and enjoy the results!

To prepare for this great event, the challenge was issued through the "Weekly Contest of March 19" and the contest was extended to be the same length as the main blog contest (it runs through March 30) and just give away more prizes! The original contest was entitled The 1940 Main Blog Indexing Practice Contest.

With this in mind I downloaded the software and did the "Simulation Batch" for the 1940 US Census. The process was a little bumpy at first but I was able to complete it once I figured out what I was doing!

The beginning process wasn't that difficult. One must start with downloading the software and installing it onto your device, whether it is a PC, MAC, or tablet of some kind. Once installed you will need to log-in with an LDS account if you already have one or "Register for a New Account".

Once you are logged in, you have to look for the correct file and notice the directions. To do that, go to the "Download Batch" button in the upper right hand corner and click it. It will open up another menu box and you need to check the box that says "Show All Projects" to locate the "1940 Simulation Batch". Scroll to the beginning of the list.

Click on one of the two files and click on "OK" and it will download. Once downloaded you are ready to begin! You can enter in the 'header' information right away and move on the the data on each line. There is a blue color over the area you are copying into the form which is simular to an excel spread sheet.

If the lines are blank, you hit 'control, shift + B" to finish off a page. Once done you go to File and Submit. It doesn't take long and there are a few nuisances. Like you need to follow the directions and where is says "Same House" put that. Note at the top of the page it tells you where that particular page is from.

It didn't take long to go through it and I highly recommend that you give it a try! Be sure to visit the 1940 Census Project Page to keep up with the latest information!

Together we can do this!

Comments and Suggestions are always welcomed!

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)

Timeless Genealogies

We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com

http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

Twitter @TimelessGen

(c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   

1940 US Census ~ A Community Project

The 1940 US Census will be released in just 21 days! So much happened during that time period and many of us have family members who are listed in this census, either our parents, grand parents or great grandparents. I recall one day working at the Family History Library and assisting an elderly individual to view herself listed as a child in the 1930 US Census. She just looked at all the names listed in the household with tears streaming down as she recalled all those who were no longer here and yet there she was just 8 years old!

My mom was born in 1927 and would be 13 years old and going to school everyday like many are doing today. She was the last of 9 children and had so much to look foward to as she pursued her life. Her oldest sister, Ozina married in June of 1940, while her other two older sisters and one brother were already married with children. Strange as it may seem, that means some of my first cousins will be in this census as young children!

It will be interesting to see where my Great Grandmother, Rose DeLima Limoges will be living. She was a wonderful person according to those I've interviewed in the past. She assisted in the delivery of most of her own grandchildren and was considered a healer and often in an emergency setting she would be sent for rather than a doctor.

My mother's mom, Lovina Theroux Marotte, didn't pass away till 1945 and her grandmother mother, Rose DeLima Limoges passed away in 1942 so both of them will be there. I never knew them in person but I will be able to see them listed in the 1940 Census along with their families. By 1945 my mother was finishing up with high school and entered nursing school at St. Joseph's hospital. Here she is soon after entering nursing school.

She graduated in 1948, but continued to work there for many years. She met my father in the hospital as he was a patient there.
She would travel from Pawtucket to work in Providence by bus as she didn't own a car or even have a drivers' license at this point in her life!

The freeway system known as Route 95 didn't exist at this time, in fact the best way to travel from Pawtucket to Providence was to follow Route 1 all the way which is what she did by bus!

This census will definitely shed some light on many individuals and perhaps solve some brick wall problems.

Join the community and help to index the 1940 census. To learn more about it, click this link and help make history by joining this national service project https://the1940census.com/getting-started/!

Thanks for all who are already signed up ... together we can do anything!

Comments and Suggestions are always welcomed!

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)

Timeless Genealogies

We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com

http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

Twitter @TimelessGen

(c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com