Did you know that over a third of the questions asked on the 1940 U.S. Census were new or modified from the previous census? On April 14, the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA), along with Rick Koelz, will host a free seminar on the impact of the 1940 census information becoming available online and answer your questions.
Information about whether your ancestors attended college or whether they had registered for one of the new Social Security numbers is included in these historic records, which have been sequestered in the vaults of the National Archives for 72 years. On April 2, information on the nearly 300 million U.S. residents who participated will become available online. This information will give researchers and family historians detailed demographics on those living in the post-Depression and pre-World War II era.
The seminar will look at the history of the U.S. Census and how it has evolved since its beginning in 1790. The seminar will also cover the effects of the census as well as the strategies and online tools available to help locate individuals using census data.
Rick Koelz is a professional genealogist focusing on the use of technology to improve family history research. Utilizing almost 40 years of experience in the information technology field, Mr. Koelz studies and lectures on the effects the Internet and digitization are having on the rapidly changing family history research environment.
TSLA is a division of the Office of the Secretary of State and is the state's chief repository of history, collecting and preserving books and records of historical, documentary and reference value. TSLA's resources are available in person or online at tn.gov/tsla.
The seminar will be held in the TSLA Auditorium from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. April 14. The auditorium is located at 403 Seventh Avenue North, just west of the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. This is a free seminar, but reservations are required due to limited seating availability. To make reservations, please contact TSLA at 615-741-2764 or by e-mailing workshop.tsla@tn.gov. Limited parking is available in front, beside and behind the building.