{"id":49341,"date":"2019-04-12T09:47:45","date_gmt":"2019-04-12T13:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=49341"},"modified":"2023-11-30T09:28:45","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T14:28:45","slug":"genealogy-tip-learning-more-about-the-1940-u-s-census","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/genealogy-tip-learning-more-about-the-1940-u-s-census.html","title":{"rendered":"Genealogy Tip: Learning More about the 1940 U.S. Census"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about the 1940 U.S. Census \u2013 the latest census year available to the public. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201c<\/em>From the Family Kitchen<\/em>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The 1940 census records<\/a>. Most likely you are very familiar with this census since it is the latest census year available to the public. Maybe you even remember the day when it was released in 2012. There\u2019s no doubt that the 1940 U.S. Census holds important information for those researching their more recent family history, including where their family lived on the census day in 1940 as well as on 1 April 1935.<\/p>\n

The 1940 U.S. Census also asked extensive employment questions. This census takes into consideration the economics of the Great Depression and President Franklin D. Roosevelt\u2019s New Deal program, and asks questions about \u201cparticipation in the New Deal Civil Conservation Corps, Works Progress Administration, and national Youth Administration.\u201d (1)<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: \u201cEnumeration, approximately 120,000 enumerators were employed, 1940-1941.\u201d Credit: Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census; National Archives.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How much do you know about the 1940 U.S. Census? Here are a few things to consider as you take a look at this important resource for family history research.<\/p>\n

Lies I Told the Census Enumerator<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most experienced genealogists will tell you that census information may not be reliable for all sorts of reasons. For example, the census enumerator may have heard the answers to their questions incorrectly or mis-transcribed them. The person providing the information to the enumerator may have lied or at least fudged the truth a little for all kinds of reasons \u2013 from wanting to appear younger than they really were, to the belief that the government didn\u2019t have the right to know their business.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a census taker to do? The census enumerator instructions explain what to do in cases where someone refuses to cooperate. Aside from explaining that the information they were providing was for statistical use only and confidential, enumerators were reminded that they were \u201cforbidden to communicate to any person who is not a sworn census employee any information obtained by you in the discharge of your official duties.\u201d A census worker who revealed confidential information risked paying a fine or spending time in jail.<\/p>\n

But what if, even after promises of confidentiality, the enumerated still wouldn\u2019t reveal the information asked of them? The census enumerator was instructed to write \u201cRefused to answer\u201d on the census sheet and report that to their supervisor. If the census enumerator thought the person was lying, they were instructed: \u201cDo not accept any statement that you believe to be false. When you know that the answer is incorrect, enter upon the schedule the correct answer as nearly as you can ascertain it.\u201d (2)<\/p>\n

Asking the Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s obvious to us as researchers that not everyone enumerated in a household would be the best person to answer the questions posed. The Census Bureau knew that and gave enumerators instructions on whom to interview in each household:<\/p>\n

\u201cIn order to obtain accurate and complete information, interview a responsible adult member of the household. Young children will usually be unable to give you the information desired for the Population schedule. Only occasionally will boarding or lodginghouse keepers be able to give you complete information concerning roomers or lodgers, and it is desirable, therefore, that as far as possible, you obtain information directly from roomers and lodgers. Likewise, boarders, lodgers, and servants will seldom be able to give the information concerning members of the household other than themselves. Obtain information about a household or a person from neighbors or other nonrelated persons only when it is impossible, after the second or third visit, to obtain the information through direct interview with a member of the household.\u201d (3)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The 1940 census provides a piece of information that helps family historians determine how reliable the census data is for each family: enumerators were instructed to identify who the informant for each household was. Census enumerator instructions indicate that the informant should be identified with a \u201cx\u201d with a circle around it in column 7 after the name of the person furnishing the information. Why is this important? Prior to 1940, researchers have no idea who provided the information for each individual enumerated, so it\u2019s even harder to determine the accuracy of the information on pre-1940 censuses.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: 1940 census, showing mark indicating who supplied the information. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now what if no one in the household was able to provide the information to the enumerator and instead it was obtained from a neighbor or someone else? The name of the informant was to be written in the left-hand margin opposite the entries for the household. (4) In the case of a non-English speaking household, enumerators were encouraged to find a translator nearby, like a neighbor, or to try to fill it out the best they could with the respondent\u2019s limited English. Paid interpreters were only to be used in \u201cextreme cases.\u201d (5)<\/p>\n

Did Your Ancestor Answer the Supplementary Questions?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re lucky, you may find that your ancestor was asked the supplementary questions. These supplementary questions were asked of a small sample of those enumerated, for statistical purposes.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: 1940 census, supplementary questions. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Because it is a random sample, some of the information \u2013 depending on who the enumerated was \u2013 could provide great information for the family historian, including:<\/p>\n