1950 Census

For many genealogists, the countdown to access the 1950 Census has already begun.
There are -996 days remaining until Friday, April 1, 2022 and the release of the 1950 Census Schedules.

The official date used for recording of the 1950 Census was Saturday, April 1st, 1950 and the 72-year privacy restriction placed on those schedules will expire on the same date in 2022. Like many of you, we will be watching, but are already busy working with a range of skilled and experienced individuals, as well as leading genealogy companies to collect and share as much relevant detail as we can prior to that date. (No — this isn't an April Fools joke, you can check your calendar!)

Countdown to 2022
We're also developing a full-featured site for the 1950 Census to provide details about why the 1950 Census is private until 2022 and how you will need to prepare for your research when the big day finally arrives. Also included are summary data for the 1950 Census and some interesting facts about how this Seventeenth Enumeration of the United States population differed from the one taken a decade prior.

Questions Asked on the 1950 Census
As was standard practice for each prior census, the U.S. Bureau of the Census provided standardized forms in 1950 for all those serving as census Enumerators. The standard Population Schedule had numberous standard questions, as well as Supplemental Questions asked only for those persons who were enumerated on specified lines. This was the means used to ensure a random nature in obtaining supplemental information. Learn more about Questions Asked on the 1950 Census.

1940 Map of the United States
By 1940, the outline of the United States and the individual borders for the 48 contiguous states had become familiar to many, both in America and elsewhere throughout the world. The American Flag would display 48 stars, one for each state, for more than four decades. Those researching their family history are encouraged to understand the geographic area where their ancestors lived. This is especially true if your ancestors lived in the northeast or in border towns. It's possible that a move just a few miles away could result in a new state of residence. View 1940 Map of the U.S..

What were things like in 1950?
On April 7, 1940, just days after the official date for the 1940 Census enumeration, Booker T. Washington became the first African American to appear on a United States Postage Stamp. At the time, the domestic letter rate was just 3-cents per ounce. The World was also at war in 1940, but it would be more than eighteen months before the United States would enter World War II following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. By the time this decade drew to a close the war was over, but the entire world learned of unspeakable war crimes that would forever change the world.
Learn more about the history of 1940.