1940 U.S. Census – Searchability on Archives.com

When the U.S. Census first went on line, I tried doing a search and it was not as easy as 1,2,3. I recall needing the enumeration district to narrow it down. I met someone who works at the National Archives yesterday, who told me the online search feature was vastly improved. Check out the link and look up your family now: http://www.archives.com/member/1940census.

I did a search of my grandparents and found them with easy. I did a search of my great-grandparent and found 2 out of 3. You may have to play with first names, my grandfather went from being Irving to Irvin and suddenly has a middle initial that a new one on me, but it’s a 100% match to my mother’s family.

Another feature that seems interesting is when you view the original document, which you can download and save, the page moves with your cursor and the questions at the top can lock in place while you move the rest of the image for easier reading.

So, I’ll give Archives.com points for making the 1940 U.S. Census available and more easily searchable faster than was possible, at least to my recollection, of the 1930 U.S. Census. So, take a look and learn about your family.

Barry Nove