Six Days until the complete 1940 Census is released!
Why are we so excited about this?
- Because we’ve waited 72 years for the personal data—or ten since the 1930 Census—and the anticipation has been terrible.
- Because this Census includes 1935 location information!
- Because it’s being released electronically, so we won’t have to wait for the microfilm!
- Because it isn’t indexed and will give us a chance to hone our enumeration district location skills!
- Because now, when our patrons ask us when the 1940 Census will be available, we won’t have to answer “Not yet . . .”
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In order to celebrate all these things (especially that last one) we’re throwing a Coffee & Census Open House on Monday, April 12 between 8am and 11am.
We’ll provide coffee, computers and as much assistance in using the online schedules as we can. You provide the list of Davenport folks that you want to find.
Remember, we weren’t kidding about the lack of indexing: researchers will need to read the documents in order to locate the folks they want to find. But the schedules are arranged in smaller enumeration districts and we’re ready to help you figure out which districts include your ancestor’s addresses.
We’re asking everyone to register in advance so that we can provide enough computers and contact you if the National Archives changes the release time.
When you register, we will provide details about how to gain access to the Special Collections Center before the library opens at noon.
Call 563-326-7902 to register.
As we said, this will be the first time ANYONE has seen and used these census schedules, including our staff, so we can’t guarantee we’ll know everything about it and that there won’t be any glitches along the way. But that just adds to the excitement, doesn’t it?
Won’t you join us?
