If the US Census Bureau only makes new records public every 70yrs, how can I find ones that I'm looking for?

Question

Online the listings only go up to 1930. I really need to do research on later census dates, does anyone know how I can retrieve this information? Serious replies only. Thanks

Answer 1

There is no way to access the 1940 U.S. Census and beyond until their release.  So, your goal is to keep living another 1,455 days - 1 April 2012.   This is 72 years after the fact, but it will be a  Sunday, so, it "may" be delayed one day.

Source: http://www.1940census.net/

In the meantime we will all have to try to locate information we desire in other ways.

Answer 2

You can't use the Census returns at this point, but there are alternatives. For the last 120+ years, cities have been publishing city directories. The address-by-address directories were replaced after 1955 with telephone directories, but from 1930-1955, there was no way to opt out of the city directories. They very often also gave employer information. It's a very good place to start.

Next, there is a set of directories called Polk Directories, which also list people by address.

Before 1985, most cities routinely published all births at the local hospital (before the age of privacy acts). They would give the name of the baby, date of birth, birth weight and the names of the parents--including mother's maiden name. Engagement announcements were also extremely common because they were usually free to place. Marriage license applications were also routinely placed, even if the formal marriage announcement wasn't placed by the bride and groom. The license information came from the County Clerk's office, so there was no cost for it.

These may not fully replace the Census returns. But until the years you need are made public, these give you a very good place to start.

Answer 3

You can't.

You will have to find other sources of data.

No offense, but did you think you were rare and special?

We all would like to see 1940, 1950, etc., on-line and for free.

I'd like to be irresistible to women, too. While I'm at it, I could use infinite wealth, absolute power and eternal youth.

I'd settle for being able to lose 2 pounds a week while eating the foods I love in large quantities, with chocolate sauce.

Answer 4

It is just kind of normal, in genealogy.. that there are particular records usable at different stages of your research.  The usual process is working from yourself, backwards.  The limitations on census records are a matter of law. Many persons dislike the census (feel it to be invading their privacy) which is one reason these limits were set.  It is intended to provide some reassurance that personal info is kept that way.. at least for a while.

Thus, in the beginning stage.. you must use alternate items, and many of those are also considered private. Birth/death certificates are restricted to certain persons (unless historical).  You can use things like obits, cemetery records, photos, family knowledge, so forth. To be honest.. when you are working BACK on your ancestors.. you can do so without data on persons likely to be living,  with some exceptions.  If (for example) you are trying to find all persons desc. from a gr grandfather.. that is not technically your ANCESTRY. It is family, and likely useful.. but not always.

Remember.. once you do get back to census records.. those also will "run out" since it only goes back to 1790. Ones prior to 1850 only have head of household by name then a "nose" count.  So.. realize that at that stage, you'll have to shift again to different types of records.

Answer 5

Sorry, you can not.

Answer 6

It is a matter of privacy why the Census Bureau waits 72 years.  It will be the first census I will be on.  I guess they think anyone 72 years or older doesn't care what you learn about them from the census records.

Todday privacy issues are even greater due to identity theft.

Answer 7

As you cant get census info, try this:

if you know where the subject(person) was born and Lived, check the newspaper archives for announcement of birth deaths marrages etc. check the SS(social Security death index)

Answer 8

It is 72 years that they keep them private.  And as everyone said already, you cannot get access to them. NO ONE can.  I need them too.  We ALL need them to contiune our genealogy research, but we all have to wait until 2012 to get access.  1950 won't be available until 2022.  1960 in 2032, 1970 in 2042, etc.