Thursday, March 15, 2012

1940 US Census Community Project




ON APRIL 2, 2012, NARA will provide access to the images of the 1940 United States Federal Census for the first time. Unlike previous census years, images of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census will be made available as free digital images.

Upon the release,  the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project - a joint initiative between Archives.com, FamilySearch.org, findmypast.com, and other leading genealogy organizations -  will coordinate efforts to provide quick access to these digital images and immediately start indexing these records to make them searchable online with free and open access.


As soon as the images are ready for San Joaquin County, society members and others will be able to join the project we adopted for indexing - all the residents of San Joaquin County .

For those who have not indexed before using the FamilySearch indexing program software, you are encouraged to download the indexing program located HERE.  After installing the program, try indexing some other projects so you will become familiar with the process.  It is really quite easy.  One batch to index will consist of around 40 lines (one census sheet).  This can be done at your convenience at home any time of the day or night in your jammies.  You can index as many batches as you wish—one or many, it all helps.