Looking back to when it was first announced that the 1940 Federal Census would be made available for indexing on Aprpil 2, 2012, and the completion target a short six months later, there were those who doubted it could be accomplished. Making a miracle happen always generates doubters... (Read More)
Looking back to when it was first announced that the 1940 Federal Census would be made available for indexing on April 2, 2012, and the completion target a short six months later, there were those who doubted it could be accomplished. Making a miracle happen always generates doubters, but the slogan, "The difficult we do right away, while the impossible will take just a little longer." has been the watch-cry of the many volunteers, organizations and individuals who have tackled this task with enthusiasm and accuracy. To be a part of the "Making of a Miracle" is no small responsibility.
Keeping up with the statistics of which states have been indexed 100% and which have been indexed and arbitrated and ready to search are often obsolete day to day, even hour to hour as this work progresses at an astounding rate. The best way to watch the progress of any state is to use the inter-active map available on the introductory page of FamilySearch.org (Use the live link below to access this map.). How close to completion is your favorite state on the chart? If you have postponed enlisting in the "Indexing Army," the window of opportunity for this 1940 project may pass you by, but be aware that it may be difficult to stop, once you get into the swing of it. Those who do indexing, usually find it wonderfully addicting.
The beauty of of the 1940 Census when compared to those of other decades is what is found in the (usually) legible handwriting and the information it contains such as: locations, surnames and given names, family and household relationships, sex, race or color, age, marital status, current residence as well as the residence for each person in April,1935. There is other pertinent information on the records, not recorded by the indexer, but useful
and viewable to the researcher.
The organizations responsible for this census to be open, searchable, and free to the public are Archives.com, Find My Past.com, ProQuest, and FamilySearch.com and their community of volunteers. Heartfelt thanks to them for making this census free to the public for perpetuity.
If you have not as yet joined the endeavor, now is the time to do your bit in the "Making of a Miracle."
To see the interactive map that often changes hourly and daily, click this link - SEE THE MAP. As you view the map, check out the color guide and click on "Explore Images by Location." This same page can be accessed on the home page of FamilySearch.org by clicking on the 1940 Census picture at the top right of the page.
Keeping up with the statistics of which states have been indexed 100% and which have been indexed and arbitrated and ready to search are often obsolete day to day, even hour to hour as this work progresses at an astounding rate. The best way to watch the progress of any state is to use the inter-active map available on the introductory page of FamilySearch.org (Use the live link below to access this map.). How close to completion is your favorite state on the chart? If you have postponed enlisting in the "Indexing Army," the window of opportunity for this 1940 project may pass you by, but be aware that it may be difficult to stop, once you get into the swing of it. Those who do indexing, usually find it wonderfully addicting.
The beauty of of the 1940 Census when compared to those of other decades is what is found in the (usually) legible handwriting and the information it contains such as: locations, surnames and given names, family and household relationships, sex, race or color, age, marital status, current residence as well as the residence for each person in April,1935. There is other pertinent information on the records, not recorded by the indexer, but useful
and viewable to the researcher.
The organizations responsible for this census to be open, searchable, and free to the public are Archives.com, Find My Past.com, ProQuest, and FamilySearch.com and their community of volunteers. Heartfelt thanks to them for making this census free to the public for perpetuity.
If you have not as yet joined the endeavor, now is the time to do your bit in the "Making of a Miracle."
To see the interactive map that often changes hourly and daily, click this link - SEE THE MAP. As you view the map, check out the color guide and click on "Explore Images by Location." This same page can be accessed on the home page of FamilySearch.org by clicking on the 1940 Census picture at the top right of the page.
This article was written by Sister Judith Iverson, a missionary at the Family History Center..
