SIX EASY STEPS
1. Make a list of everyone you’re searching for and note the city/state (and street if possible) where they lived in 1940 – here’s where some family “elders” might be able to help!
2. Go to http://stevemorse.org/census/unified.html.
3. There are dropdown menus where you’ll select state, county (optional) and city/town. (If your city/town isn’t listed, select “Other” and type it in.) EDs for that location will appear at the bottom of the screen.
4. If you select a city/town from the dropdown menu, you’ll be able to reduce the number of EDs by entering street level information. You can narrow it even more by entering cross and back streets that complete the city block (click on “See Map” to find them).
5. Clicking on EDs at the bottom of the screen will bring you to a page where you’ll select a viewer. (The “NARA Viewer” takes you to the official 1940 Census site, where you’ll be able to download, print or share images.)
6. Clicking on a viewer takes you directly to the census for that ED. Scroll its images until you find the family you’re looking for. If you cannot find them, but are SURE your location is correct, go back to #2 and try another ED.
Some experts say enthusiasm for the release of the 1940 census could be dampened by the lack of a name index, especially for novices. But don’t despair ... a little patience will be worth the search!
