Archives Wants to Put 1940 Census Online
The National Archives is seeking industry input on a plan to create a searchable database of 1940 U.S. census information when it becomes publicly available in 2012.By law all census information must become public 72 years after it is collected. This time, instead of simply making images of the census available for checkout on microfilm, the Archives plans to also make scans of the census schedules and maps searchable online and available for download, according to a request for information from the agency.
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I wish all census records were freely available on line... it really chaffs me that the transcription of such data is invariable the result of the efforts of volunteers who love and appreciate genealogy and want to 'give back' having themselves prior opportunity to have accessed information, somewhere, somehow... then, sometime afterward, without the volunteer's knowledge or permission, the result of their labor is sold to big outfits that turn around and charge others to access it...
With respect to the 1940 Census specifically, I think it is a good idea.
If the heads of household are still living, they would be likely in their 70's and 80's, if not 90's.... and if for some reason they have been 'lost' to their descendants, revelation of this census could reunite families, before it is 'too late'...
Those who might be opposed to such revelation, would be one of two critters...
the affluent who have something to hide and the poor who have something to hide.
I say, let the census come forth... there is not likely anything in anyone's 'closets' these days, that would shock anyone, really.
I agree with putting the 1940 Census on line now. I will be in it or should be and would like to see my name there.
I agree with Archives putting 1940 census online and available to all. Thank you for your efforts.
Yes, yes put the 1940 census on line. great idea.
Two questions:
1. Will the on-line sites, e.g. WorldConnect, up the latest date-of-birth for presenting detailed information of individuals from 1930 to 1940 when the U.S. 1940 census is released?
2. Will micro-film versions of the 1940 census be available too? For some searches, rolling up & down through micro-film trumps paging through on-line images.
I would love to see the 1940 census on line now. I would like to see that 72 year rule changed. I was born in 1950, i was married in 1994 & my marriage information is already available on line. Most people who are doing genealogy don't mind if their information is available.
I'm 81 1/2 and would love to see the 1940 census online, so I can get my brothers and sister's census records, plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins etc. Most are gone now and who knows how much longer I'll be around. Many more hopefully.
Donna two above has a good point. Our current records and phone number address etc is all able to be found show why hide the census, some of us have living relatives that are lost to us and we need to reunite by using census in the hope they are in a nearby area... Many states give birth and death info and this is precious for our research. The timeframe in some states like NY is ridiculous. I hope these states understand the importance of releasing documents sooner. C Delaplace
Does any one know the format of the 1940 Census. What questions were asked and answered??
Were they the same as 1930?
I agree, some of us are still around and kicking who would be on it.
I for one would love to see it online, and as well, still be available on microfilm in the event that the transcription is garbled. As in the case of
the web site, www.ancestry.com their interpretation of some of the names are way way off. Which is then very difficult to try to imagine what the party thought as they were transcribing them. If not, was it optically done, then I can understand the garbling of the names.
Nothing better than a REAL HUMAN pair of eyes looking at the actual pages.
Yes, I would like to see it online before I die! But only if it is available to the public free as it should be since it is the property of our National Archives and we the people own the National Archives.
I agree with Valerie that the 1940 Census should be made on-line and free. It's availability should not be limited to the large genealogy search firms for their commercial use and who will charge exorbitant fees.
What is the Census Bureau's initial cost estimate for making this service public from the start? If reasonable, let us, the amateur genealogist, pay an annual "usage fee" similar to a library card for access.
I just don't want the large genealogy search firms to have exclusive use as they will bundle it with all of their other data bases which I don't need.
Amen to the responders who say let it be put online as a free public record. I would also be happy to pay an access fee to the Federal government to be able to use these public records. It grates to have to pay a subscription to a commercial enterprise to purchase things I don't want or need and then have to deal with garbled indices and poor quality images.