The release of the 1940 United States Census was a very big deal for genealogists. It was something that they had been looking forward to for a long, long, time. Those who are just getting started in genealogy might need some help understanding the important words and phrases that relate to the 1940 census. Here is a quick list to help out beginning genealogists.
There are several different online resources that a beginning genealogist can use in order to learn about different terms that relate to genealogy. The following definitions came from the Genealogy Glossary at Family Tree Magazine.
Census: A census is an official count of the population in a particular area. In addition to counting the inhabitants of an area, the census generally collects other details, such as names, ages, citizenship status and ethnic background. The US government began collecting census data in 1790, and has done so every 10 years since then. Selected states have conducted their own censuses over the years.
Enumeration Districts: Divisions of each county and some large cities used to make census taking more efficient and accurate. For large cities, the boundaries of enumeration districts often match those of wards or precincts.
Index: In genealogical terms, an alphabetical list of names taken from a particular set of records. For example, a census index lists the names of people named in a particular set of census records, such as 1870 – 1900 census. Indexes come in book form and on CD-ROM, microfilm and microfiche.
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): The United States’ archive of all federal records, including census records, military service rolls and pension applications, passenger lists and bounty-land warrants. In addition to the primary archives in Washington DC, NARA has a branch in College Park, MD, and 13 regional facilities across the nation.
The following definitions come from the Genealogy Glossary at Genealogy.com.
Enumeration: List of people, as in a census.
Surname: Last name, family name.
The following definitions come from the ROOTS Genealogical Dictionary:
Enumerator: Census taker
Enumeration: Process by which persons are counted for the purpose of a census.
Census Index: Alphabetical listing of names enumerated in a census
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