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ISGS Supports 1940 Census Indexing with FamilySearch.org

ISGS Supports 1940 Census Indexing with FamilySearch.org


We are excited to announce that ISGS has joined the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project to help index the 1940 U.S. Federal Census! By indexing records from Illinois, we will be an essential part of this monumental grass-roots effort that will put one of the richest genealogical data sets in the world online - complete and free of charge forever.

Go to www.the1940census.com/society and register to participate with ISGS:


When you open the software, a sign-in screen will appear:


If you already have an account with FamilySearch, just input your name and password and click OK; if not, click Register for a New Account to set one up.

When creating your account, remember to select Illinois State Genealogical Society from the dropdown box for Group on the profile screen. Every person indexing with our society gets us closer to milestones that qualify us for incentives provided by the sponsors of the project, so sign up today!

Thank you in advance for your participation. We look forward to the impact this resource will have for researchers of our area and so many others.

About the 1940 Census Community Project

On April 2, 2012, images of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census will be released for the first time. Unlike previous census years, images of this census will be made available as free digital images.

Upon its release, the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project, a joint initiative between Archives.com, FamilySearch, findmypast.com, and other leading genealogy societies and 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.

Interest in the 1940 U.S. Census is both significant and sentimental since it documents what is often referred to as “The Greatest Generation” of U.S. citizens. As a group, these are individuals who:

  • Survived the Great Depression
  • Fought in the Second World War
  • Innovated technology (TV, Microwave)

There are many people still alive today who will be able to find themselves in the 1940 U.S. Federal Census. Others will be able to readily connect with relatives they knew personally or through family stories. Imagine the great resource this will be to current and future society members!

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