Genealogist, Marynell Bryant, gives the program at Thursday Night's Hopkins County
Genealogical Society.

 

 

Genealogists Hear Program on
1940 Census

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Hopkins County Genealogical Society President, Ronny Glossup, introduced Bryant, as she gave the
program for Thursday night's meeting.

 

 

The Hopkins County Genealogical Society heard a program prepared by member, Marynell Bryant, on Thursday night, concerning the release of the 1940 Census. Bryant told the group that the census will be released on April 2, 2012, and has a number of interesting additions for genealogists to use in their research. She explained that the reason for the release of the census being delayed was for privacy issues, regarding that those born in 1940 had to be 72 years of age, before the census could be released.

Bryant also informed the group that there were a number of questions asked and answered on the census that had not been included in previous censuses, such as: "Did you pay Social Security on your wages?" "Did you work for the CCC or WPA?" "Your highest degree of schooling?" and "Where did you live in April of 1935?"

Additionally, Bryant told the group that the census included information on the 14th and the 29th individual on each page, of supplemental questions, that could be very helpful, if they were your ancestors.

 

Bryant had copies of many features of the 1940 Census available to those present at Thursday night's meeting.

 

 

The 1940 Census has not been indexed, thus volunteers are been sought and trained to index the census, so that it will be easier to access information. Bryant informed the group that they were seeking Hopkins County volunteers to help with the indexing of the 1940 census. Several in the group indicated that they would be interested in volunteering.

Bryant concluded her program by outlining several of the "free" websites that are available at the Hopkins County Genealogical Library, for members to do research. "These are sites that cost you at home, but that we as a society have access here at the library," denoted Bryant. "So, make plans to come down and used these resources free of charge, at the library."

In other action, the Hopkins County Genealogical Society members heard a report on the success of the recent concession stand at the UPRA Rodeo, and on the "History By Foot" Tour that will be conducted by John Sellers, in downtown Sulphur Springs, on April 21, 2012.

Society President, Ronny Glossup encouraged everyone to pay their membership dues, and to make plans to attend the April 21st downtown historical tour.

Marilyn and Don Smith are shown looking up some information on Thursday night, in many of the
resource books available at the Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library.

_____