Introduction to the 1940 Census - June 22nd

As required by law, the contents of the 1940 US Federal Census were released on April 2, 2012 at 9 am. EDT.  The National Archives choose to release the 1940 census online, a first for the nation.  The government does not have to index the individual names within the census to comply with the law.  However, upon its release, other businesses and agencies have reposted the images and started indexing.


Yes, volunteer indexers throughout the country are furiously (and, we hope accurately) compiling the list of citizens and residents so that searching for one's ancestors will be easier than searching for them within enumeration districts.  In the meantime, we have to work from addresses - unless you're looking for someone in a fully indexed state (which are Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming on one or more of the databases, according to the Ancestry Insider blog).

• Do you know how to find and use the 1940 Federal Census? 
• Do you know how to use the Ancestry Library Edition database to view the images? 
• Do you know how to find Family Search and its index to the 1940 Federal Census? 

To help illuminate the ways and means of census taking, and how to put a census to the test of extracting information about an ancestor (or yourself, if you happen to be older than 72 years old), we will be offering a workshop on these topics Friday, June 22nd. 

Introduction to the 1940 Census Workshop
Beaufort District Collection 
Fri., June 22nd
10:00 am -- Noon

Registration is required as seating is very limited for this workshop. You must pre-register in person at the Beaufort District Collection Research Room Reference desk or call 843-255-6468 to reserve a seat.