The long-awaited release of the 1940 census took place on April 2. For the first time, we can see the questions asked of our ancestors and their families. This is an overview of the census form.
The census asked for the person’s location–street and house number, whether the home was owned or rented, the value of the home or the cost of the rent. It also asked (yes or no) whether the household was a family unit. The census asked for the name of each person whose usual place of residence on April 1, 1940, was in the household. The instructions were to include persons absent from the household at the time the census taker visited, by writing “Ab” after the name of every such individual. Children under one year of age were to be included. For the first time, the person supplying the census taker with household information was to be marked with an “x.”
Information gathered about each person was nearly the same as in previous censuses, except that the question about an individual’s parents’ birthplaces was no longer asked. Personal questions asked were: the individual’s relation to the head of the household, sex, color or race, age at last birthday, and marital status. Education questions were expanded to include those who attended school or college at any time since March 1, 1940, and their highest grade of school completed. Place of birth and citizenship questions were asked.
A new and potentially revealing question asked on the 1940 census was where each person had resided five years earlier – on April 1, 1935. Four questions were devoted to this: Had they resided in a city, town, or village having 2,600 or more inhabitants? What county were they living in? What state? And were they on a farm (yes or no)? These questions were designed to uncover the large population shifts that had occurred in the country since the previous census, due to the dust bowl and the depression.
The questions asked on a census reveal the important issues of the times. Again, due to the depression, there were many questions on the 1940 census pertaining to employment; in fact, these take up nearly half the census and include anyone aged 14 years or older. Was the person working for pay in a private or a non-emergency government job the week of March 24-30? If not, was the person working on a public emergency project such as the WPA or CCC? If not working, was the individual seeking work? If not seeking work, did the individual have a job? If not, what was the person doing (housework, school, unable to work, other)? If at a private job or non-emergency government work, how many hours were worked per week? If seeking work or assigned to emergency government work, what was the duration of unemployment in weeks, current occupation, industry, class of worker, number of weeks worked in 1939, amount of wages received, and any additional income over $50?
There was also a new twist on the 1940 census that had never been used before: asking supplemental questions of two individuals chosen randomly by line number on each page.
These questions included the birthplace of the parents; language spoken in earliest childhood; status as a veteran or child of a veteran (most veterans would be from the Spanish American War, the Philippine Insurrection, the Boxer Rebellion, or World War I); possession of a social security number for which payroll deductions could be made (remember, Social Security had just passed five years before); usual occupation and industry; and, for women – whether married more than once – age at first marriage and number of children ever born.
History
GENEALOGY: Long-awaited 1940 census is now available for the public
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
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In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
His name was Stephen Venard. For more than 50 years he resided in Terre Haute, without fanfare, with his wife and a daughter. Much of that time was spent in the 400 block on N. First St.
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
This week continues with the Gold Star Honor Roll (those who died in WW I) from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County list is long and will be run in three parts.
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
In the River portion of the latest exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society museum are two models of river paddle boats created by Alfred F. Nehf.
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
Two men robbed Terre Haute First National Bank’s banking center at Southland Plaza, South Seventh Street and Margaret Avenue. It was the first bank robbery in Terre Haute since November 2000.
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
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