The 1940 US Census will be released in only a few short weeks. It’s the first census where my parents are listed, and I am excited to see how their household is portrayed in that federal project. Unlike census records now available at online sites, the 1940 US Census is not yet indexed so it will take some special tactics to find our ancestors’ listings.
Fortunately, a massive effort is underway to bring make these records more accessible through a searchable index, and YOU can help. Anyone with an internet connection can participate in the indexing project by registering and joining in. I’ve indexed records at the FamilySearch website as part of an assignment for an online genealogy class and I found it to be easy to do and rewarding.
Online census research has become a first-stop for so much genealogical research that it feels good to be contributing toward the “research pool” of the future. You can find out more information and register to join the indexing project at the 1940 US Census Community Project Website.
