Family history organizations announce effort to publish 1940 census index

SALT LAKE CITY — FamilySearch, Archives.com and findmypast.com are joining to launch the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project to help quickly publish a free, searchable, high-quality name index to the 1940 U.S. Census after it is released in April 2012 by the National Archives and Record Administration of the United States, according to a news release.

The population of the U.S. in 1940 was approximately 130 million. NARA's census images will not have a searchable index.

"The 1940 Census is attractive to both new and experienced researchers because most people in the U.S. can remember a relative that was living in 1940. It will do more to connect living memory with historical records and families than any other collection previously made available," said David Rencher, chief genealogical officer for FamilySearch.

For more information or details on how to volunteer, go to www.the1940census.com." TARGET="_blank">href="http://the1940census.com/">www.the1940census.com.www.the1940census.com." TARGET="_blank">href="http://the1940census.com/">www.the1940census.com.