1940s Census Release on April 2

The U.S. Government will release the 1940 census to the public on April 2 after 72 years of privacy protection lapses. The records will be available online to everyone, but it will take some time for a name index to accompany the census. Until then, researchers will need an address so they can determine a census enumeration district to narrow their search.

Genealogists and family historians can benefit greatly from the release of this information from such a transformative decade in American life. Many are hoping to fill in gaps that exist in family trees.

The survey had 34 questions for all households plus 16 questions that were asked only to 5% of the population. The additional questions were aimed at accessing homelessness, migration, widespread unemployment, irregular salaries, and fertility decline.

See Cristian Salazar and Randy Herschaft, Census Documenting Great Depression to be Released, Yahoo! News, Mar. 18, 2012. 

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this article to my attention.