1940 Census Release

After 72 long years – the mandatory waiting period established by the government – the 1940 census is available to the public!  The first census was taken in 1790, and over the years, this tool used to monitor population growth and determine the number of delegates needed in the House of Representatives per region. Use the 1940 census to delve further into your family history search following these tips.

Why the 1940 Census is Important to Genealogy

Using census information to research your family history is often helpful, revealing additional facts about your ancestors that might not be outlined in other types of records. With each new release of a census, more information can be gathered, and you can get a more complete feel of how the lives changed every ten years for your ancestors. Here are some things you can learn from the 1940 census:

Using 1940 Census Archives Gov to Find Ancestors

The National Archives created a website specifically for those wanting to learn more about it and how to search it for information on relatives. The 1940 census archives gov website gives a detailed overview of the 1940 census and its significance to history and those interested in genealogy.

Learning About Your Ancestors is Fun

Once you locate your family member on the census image, you can save it, print it and then share it with others. Enjoy reading about the specifics of your ancestor’s life, including occupation details with wage information, whether he owned his home or not, place of birth and who was living there at the time.