RELEASE DATE: APRIL 1, 2012
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
Tomorrow--2 April 2012--is going to be an exciting day for genealogists since the 1940 U. S. federal census will be released for public use! The images of the schedule have been digitized so that they can be put online. They will be accessible on the Ancestry.com website for free to everyone.
Researchers, however, may not find the census as useful as they would like. Why? Because it lacks a complete name index. Although many people across the country are working to complete the indexing project, it will be several months before the results will be available. Meanwhile, family researchers will have to go through the entire census for a county in order to find the persons they seek.
To appreciate more fully the information offered on the population schedule about the lives of people just prior to the beginning of World War II, interested individuals may want to read the article, “1940 Census Captures Great Depression” by Constance Potter and Diane Petro of the National Archives and Records Administration. It appears on page 16 of the November/December 2011 issue of Archival Outlook, published by the Society of American Archivists. The article discusses detailed questions pertaining to citizenship, education, migration, and employment, as well as a supplemental schedule filled out by approximately five percent of America’s general population.
The Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS) is sponsoring a Czech indoor genealogy picnic, “Bugs ‘n All,” at the Caldwell Civic/Visitor Center in Caldwell, Texas, on 21 April 2012. Registration will begin at 8:30 a. m. and the “picnic” will start at 9:00 a. m. and adjourn at 4:00 p. m. In the morning, Rev. James D. Hejl will discuss the influence of faith on Czech immigrants to Texas. Participants will have access to the society’s genealogy room where hundreds of materials pertaining to Czech research will be available for perusal. In addition, several genealogists experienced in doing family history research on the internet will have their laptops set up to aid anyone needing help.
The activity-filled day will include a performance by the Beseda Dancers from Snook, the presentation of the TCGS scholarship winner, a silent auction, and door prizes. Morning refreshments and a lunch of fried chicken and all the trimmings will be served.
The fees per person for registrations postmarked on or before 12 April will be $25 for TCGS members or $35 for non-members. Registrations postmarked after 12 April will cost $30 for members and $40 for non-members. At the door registration fees will be $45 per person, whether you are a member or not. Checks, payable to TCGS, and registration forms should be mailed to Bennie Stasny, 8402 Shenandoah, Austin, TX 78753. To receive a brochure or to obtain more details about the meeting, get in touch with Stasny at the above address, e-mail [email protected], or call 512-497-6007. You may also go to the society’s website at www.txczg.org.
On 8-9 June 2012, the National Orphan Train Complex, Inc. (NOTC) will hold its annual celebration in Concordia, KS. A tentative schedule of events include a scenic train ride over the Big Blue River Trestle in Waterville; tours of the NOTC Research Center/Depot, presentations by riders and their descendants, a silent auction, and the president’s awards banquet. Optional activities will include visits to the World War II POW Camp in Concordia, the Brown Grand Theatre, the Nazareth Convent, and the Frank Carlson Library. For costs, updates on scheduled events, and other information, write to NOTC, P. O. Box 322, Concordia, KS 66901-0322; phone 785-243-4471; e-mail [email protected]; or go to the website at www.orphantraindepot.com.