Are You Ready for the 1940 Census?

Are you ready? The 1940 census will be made available this Monday, April 2, 2012.

If you have done your homework, you have the enumeration district (EDs) numbers for your people ready and in-hand. With that information you’ll be able to page through those EDs to find the records you seek. If you haven’t done your homework, go to Steve Morse’s One Step Webpages for great tools and finding aids under US Census and get cracking!!

Though the 1940 census will become available it will not be indexed, thus the need for all the labor intensive activity above. Upon its release, the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project, a joint initiative between Archives.com, FamilySearch, findmypast.com, and other leading genealogy organizations, will coordinate efforts to provide quick access to these digital images and immediately start indexing these records to make them searchable online with free and open access.

This is where we come in. We as individuals and as a Society working within the 1940 U.S Census Community Project can be part of preparing an index to this Census. We can be part of a major initiative which will benefit not only genealogist today, but for generations to come. The more indexers we have working, the quicker the work will be completed. Many indexers donating a few hours will accomplish the job in no time.

To be part of this great endeavor, just go to the1940census.com and register as an indexer. You’ll need to download the indexing software and then you’ll be ready to go. The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) is partnering with the Census Community and would love to have you as part of the ISGS group. When you register, just choose the Illinois State Genealogical Society as your group on your profile page. ISGS will keep you updated as the work goes on and when Illinois be accessible for indexing.

The first States to be available for indexing will be Delaware, Colorado, Virginia, Kansas, and Oregon. They will be ready to be worked on by 6:00pm on Monday. The rest of the States will be accessible over the next ten days.

There are lots of helps available for training. Why not join the effort?

Weekly Contest – Week of March 19 – 1940 Census

Weekly Contest – Week of March 19 – 1940 Census:

This is the first of the weekly contests coming up from Family Search and entrance to the contest is not only easy it will be helpful to you as an indexer.
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Intro to Indexing Webinar from Family Search

Looking for some indexing training to prepare for the 1940 census? Family Search to hosting an Intro to Indexing Webinar tonight March 20 at 7:00 pm central time.

To attend, go to the sign in page, sign in as a guest and use meeting ID 6310.


Can't make the webinar? It will be repeated on March 27 - same time, same meeting ID.


Can't make March 27? How about checking out the tutorial anytime you're available. Go to the tutorial and give it a try!


April 2nd is just around the corner!!

EGS Member Passes Away

It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of our member, Kay Davey. She died on Friday March 9, 2012 after valiant fight with cancer.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at Yurs Funeral Home, 1771 W. State, Geneva, IL. Visitation is Sunday, March 11 from 2 - 5pm and the funeral is at 10am Monday, March 12.

Detailed information can be found at Yurs Funeral Home.

Though Kay was only part of our organization for a few years, she developed many strong relationships among her new friends. Her insightful suggestions, quick humor, easy laughter, and passion for family research will be greatly missed.

RIP - Kay Davey 1942-2012

1940 Census Webinar

March 7, 2012 1:00pm central time from Legacy Family Tree Genealogy


Thomas McEntee will present:


Navigating the 1940 U.S. census. April 2, 2012 will be a busy day for genealogists in the U.S. as the images for the 1940 United States census are released to the public. Learn the strategies needed to find the images you want, especially during the first few weeks before the images are indexed. Besides tips and tricks, you'll also learn what information was collected during the 1940 U.S. Census and how it can help your genealogy research.


You must be registered (no charge) to attend. Go to Legacy Family Tree Genealogy to register. I did!!!

March Morning Mtg - Using Newspapers Online

Join us on Tuesday March 6, 2012 at 9:30am at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin to learn about Using Newspapers Online to further your genealogy research.

A little about the presenter, Sarah Kirby from the Genealogical Speakers Guild website: "When you cross an aerospace engineer (a.k.a. rocket scientist) with a teacher, librarian, and genealogist, you get a wide range of knowledge and a depth of experience rarely equaled. You also get complex topics explained in everyday language with enthusiasm and excellence."


I don't know about you but I can't wait 'til Tuesday!! Hope to see you there.