Interested in learning more about how the U.S. Population Census was taken years ago? Here’s a vintage film typical of early newsreels that gives insight into the process for the 1940 Census.
An interesting first-time addition for 1940 — researchers will know which member of the household provided answers for questions posed by the enumerator by a special symbol next to the name. Also of interest to the Census Bureau at that time are specifics about employment—whether individuals were seeking a job, or in the WPA or Civilian Conservation Corp.
The 1940 Census will be available to the public on April 2, 2012.
