The United States government conducts a census every ten years,
in the years ending with a zero (1910, 1920, etc.). These census records contain
a wealth of information for genealogists. The exact information obtained varies
from one census to the next but generally contains each person’s name, residence,
age, place of birth, immediate family members residing in the same household,
and more. The government keeps these records confidential for seventy-two years
to protect the privacy of those listed. The 1930 U.S. Census records are due
to be released this year.
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration has announced
that it will release the 1930 Federal population census for the first time on
1 April 2002. At that time, the microfilmed copies will be opened for research
at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, at 13 of the National Archives
regional facilities across the nation, and through the National Archives rental
program.
The 1930 census is the 15th Federal census mandated by the U.S.
Constitution, which states, "The actual Enumeration shall be made within
three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and
within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law
direct. . . ".
As one would expect, the number of records in the 1930 census
is much larger than any previous census. All of the returns for the first U.S.
census conducted in 1790 fit onto 12 rolls of microfilm. The country continued
to grow so that the 1920 census consists of 2,076 rolls of film. The 1930 census
consists of 2,667 rolls of population schedules and 1,587 rolls of Soundex indexes
for 12 southern states, totaling 4,254 rolls. The other states, however, do
not have Soundex indexes.
The 1930 census provides a wealth of socio-economic information,
such as the following: names of all persons living in each home; relationship
of each person to the head of household; whether the home is owned or rented;
value of the home; if the family owns a radio; if they own a farm; whether they
attended school or college; if they can read or write; place of birth; citizenship
status; and occupation.
These census records should be available within a few days after
1 April 2002 via the National Archives’ Rental Program. In addition, commercial
companies will also have rolls of microfilm available for sale or for rent.
I suspect that CD-ROM and possible online availability will occur some later
time after 1 April 2002.
For more information on the 1930 census, see www.nara.gov/genealogy/1930cen.html/.
Dick Eastman Online
