Ode to the Census

Seventy plus--
two years ago,
The tap on the door,
let you know,
The time had come,
your stats to show.

Today was your,
household's turn,
Questions to answer,
government's learn;
Politely, asked and
answered stern.

Maybe at the
kitchen table,
Or outside under
the garden gable,
Answers given
as best they were able.

Name, age, marital status
and relation,
Birth place, gender,
and occupation,
Personal facts,
now public invasion.

Recorded on the
printed form,
In scratchy
writing decorum,
Jotted in the
selected column.

The images
of past so near.
Of our own
ancestors dear,
And glimpses
into yesteryear.

I know kinda cheesy!  Today is the release date of the 1940 census.  Isn't it amazing what has changed in the past 72 years.  Questions that were answered in the homes of people who worried about feeding their families, are being viewed by people at home in their pajamas on their laptops!

For me personally it will answer some questions but it also be fun to see certain people on the census.   My dad will be four years old living with his two brothers and their parents.  Their little sister will be born the following November.

So, my silly little ode to the release to the census, is a big deal in the genealogy world in the sense that this census will  be released on the internet rather than on film.  What's the big deal--well, you finally can look at a census the day it is released without leaving your own house!  That is a big deal since so much of genealogy is searching at the depository where the actual event took place.  Over the years records have been filmed and stored in other places, like the FHL or historical societies, but most records remain at the place of origin.

Family historians and genealogists are continuing to usher in the wonderful new era of research from home.  Having the availability to view records from your own home allows researchers the opportunity to do more in a shorter amount of time and with less expense.  There will still be travel involved, but with the releasing of this census it is a major event that previews what is easily and inexpensively accessible to all.

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