This is the latest on the remaining States of 1940 Census:
Many of you have asked what the latest status is for posting the remaining states that make up the 1940 US Census project. Today we will be posting 9 more states to the FamilySearch
website. These states include Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky,
Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, for a total of
37,575,945 additional records.
As it looks now, we will have one more release before the end of the
month, at which time the entire census index will be posted as a
searchable index. Next week we expect to publish the remaining states of
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Tennessee. At
that time we will also post the territories of Guam, Panama Canal, and
US Virgin Islands. After that, we will have only the two territories of
American Samoa and Puerto Rico, which we hope to have posted by the end
of the month.
Once again we want to thank the tens of thousands of you who have
worked so hard to help create this valuable census index. Your efforts
have been remarkable and the results are applauded by many throughout
the entire country.
As we bring this project to a close, we hope that you will continue to visit the FamilySearch Indexing site
and index some of the other collections we currently have available.
Now that you have been trained and have such great experience indexing
and arbitrating, we invite you to continue using your skills to make
more records freely available to all who want to discover their
ancestors and their history.
Showing posts with label 1940 Census. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1940 Census. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
1940 Census report
Here is the latest report from FamilySearch on 1940 Census:
Many of you have asked where we are with the indexing of the 1940 US Census project. Looking on the FamilySearch indexing page, you’ve seen that you can no longer find 1940 census batches to index or arbitrate on the indexing site. You’ve also seen that the interactive map has not changed for the past 2 weeks. Please be assured that progress is being made.
We have indeed finished all of the indexing and arbitration of the 1940 US Census. The remaining few weeks will be used to finish the processing tasks that have to be done to make the indexes as accurate as possible and completely searchable. The folks at Church headquarters are hard at work getting these tasks done as quickly as possible.
On Monday, August 6, we will post 6 new states. These states include Arkansas, Washington DC, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. As it looks now, we will have two more releases before the end of the month, at which time the entire census index will be posted as a searchable index.
Once again we want to thank the tens of thousands of you who have worked so hard to help create this valuable census index. Collectively, we’ve shattered dozens of records. If anyone would have said that we could have started and completed a project like this in just 5 months without outsourcing any part of this collection, no one would have believed it. But we did it, thanks to the help of people like you. We had more than 150,000 indexers take part, some of whom indexed more than 100,000 records by themselves. This truly was a remarkable experience.
As we bring this project to a close, we hope that you will continue to index some of the other collections we currently have available. Now that you have been trained and have such great experience indexing and arbitrating, we invite you to continue using your skills to make more records freely available to all who want to discover their ancestors and their history.
Many of you have asked where we are with the indexing of the 1940 US Census project. Looking on the FamilySearch indexing page, you’ve seen that you can no longer find 1940 census batches to index or arbitrate on the indexing site. You’ve also seen that the interactive map has not changed for the past 2 weeks. Please be assured that progress is being made.
We have indeed finished all of the indexing and arbitration of the 1940 US Census. The remaining few weeks will be used to finish the processing tasks that have to be done to make the indexes as accurate as possible and completely searchable. The folks at Church headquarters are hard at work getting these tasks done as quickly as possible.
On Monday, August 6, we will post 6 new states. These states include Arkansas, Washington DC, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. As it looks now, we will have two more releases before the end of the month, at which time the entire census index will be posted as a searchable index.
Once again we want to thank the tens of thousands of you who have worked so hard to help create this valuable census index. Collectively, we’ve shattered dozens of records. If anyone would have said that we could have started and completed a project like this in just 5 months without outsourcing any part of this collection, no one would have believed it. But we did it, thanks to the help of people like you. We had more than 150,000 indexers take part, some of whom indexed more than 100,000 records by themselves. This truly was a remarkable experience.
As we bring this project to a close, we hope that you will continue to index some of the other collections we currently have available. Now that you have been trained and have such great experience indexing and arbitrating, we invite you to continue using your skills to make more records freely available to all who want to discover their ancestors and their history.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Indexing Update from FamilySearch
Here is an update from the FS blog:
FamilySearch indexers are nearing the end of their own “Olympic” marathon. Is this the end—or just the beginning of something even bigger? Let the games begin! After four long years, we finally get to enjoy another exciting version of that international celebration of sport known as the Olympic Games. Few events at the Olympics symbolize human achievement like the marathon. Approximately 26.2 miles in length, the marathon demands exceptional fitness, incredible determination and a willingness to sacrifice personal well being to achieve glory for flag and country.
FamilySearch indexers are nearing the end of their own marathon called the 1940 US Census Community Project. It’s been a challenge, but incredibly, we’ve broken records with every step. Now we’re in the final stretch with the finish line rapidly approaching. Glory awaits, but as every athlete knows, you have to “push through the tape” and cross the finish line before the race is won. If our “race” continues to go as well as it has, indexers and arbitrators will reach the finish within days.
Olympic marathoners end their race on the track inside the main Olympic stadium. When the first runner clears the service tunnel leading from the streets outside the stadium and begins to “kick” toward the finish one-half lap away, thousands of fans erupt in a deafening cheer. It is a spine-tingling moment, charged with emotion. After more than two hours of intense individual effort, suddenly there are tens of thousands to help push weary legs the final 300 meters.
The adrenaline rush in those moments is exhilarating and the race-ending flood of emotions, ranging from relief to amazement to sheer ecstasy, can be overwhelmingly powerful. It’s that same well-deserved feeling we would wish for every 1940 US Census Community Project indexer and arbitrator who has tenaciously stuck with this marathon indexing effort from the starting gun to the finish line.
To you who have given your all to this project and tirelessly pushed through the indexing equivalent of heavy legs, shortness of breath, and doubts about your ability to endure, we can only hope in these final days of the project that you can somehow feel the silent but enthusiastic cheers of the literally tens of millions who are the recipients of your great gift.
The Victor’s Crown
The traditional symbol of Olympic victory is a gold medal, but anciently the symbol was the laurel wreath, woven from the supple branches and leaves of a wild olive tree. The 1940 US Census Community Project represents a major victory. Only the most wildly optimistic individuals would have suggested that the entire census could be indexed and arbitrated in less than 4½ months. But that’s precisely what we, the genealogical community, have done. It’s an achievement without parallel.
Among the project’s myriad astonishing statistics is the number of people who contributed to the creation of the US 1940 Census index. To date that number is hovering near 155,000—enough to make a decent-sized city—and it continues to climb even as we head into the home stretch. The enthusiasm for this project and for indexing in general is such an inspiration!
For all who have participated, from those who arbitrated thousands of names to those who indexed a single batch, we offer the victor’s laurel, a badge you can proudly display to show your part in making history. More celebrating lies ahead, but that can wait until we all cross the finish line together as the last of the full index is published to the world. Stay tuned for more about that in the near future.
The Start of a New Trend?
For now, let’s consider one of the “unintended consequences” of the 1940 US Census Community Project and another comparison to the Olympic marathon. The year was 1972. The setting was Munich, Germany. From the field of more than 70 competitors, a relatively unknown American named Frank Shorter emerged and surprised the world by beating the rest of the field by more than two minutes. His stunning victory was such an inspiration to Americans that it fueled a national running craze that continues to this day.
Great moments in history can inspire generations to take action and accomplish even greater feats. What greater achievements will the memory of the 1940 US Census Community Project inspire? Already it has swept up more participants than any other project of its type in history, but there are billions of additional records still waiting to be indexed. Could the 1940 US Census experience mark the beginning of a new culture of group giving in the genealogical community? We now know what we’re capable of accomplishing—is there any reason we shouldn’t just continue?
If your answer to that question is a resounding, “NO!,” then you’ll be pleased to learn about the US Immigration & Naturalization Community Project. It’s the sequel to the 1940 US Census project and records from this project are already available for indexing (just look for the “US (Community Project)” label).
If you need a rest from the “marathon,” everyone will understand. But if you’re thinking the 1940 US Census was just a good warm up and are wondering just how much more we can accomplish in the future, then get on board and full steam ahead! The race to remember our immigrant ancestors has just begun!
FamilySearch indexers are nearing the end of their own “Olympic” marathon. Is this the end—or just the beginning of something even bigger? Let the games begin! After four long years, we finally get to enjoy another exciting version of that international celebration of sport known as the Olympic Games. Few events at the Olympics symbolize human achievement like the marathon. Approximately 26.2 miles in length, the marathon demands exceptional fitness, incredible determination and a willingness to sacrifice personal well being to achieve glory for flag and country.
FamilySearch indexers are nearing the end of their own marathon called the 1940 US Census Community Project. It’s been a challenge, but incredibly, we’ve broken records with every step. Now we’re in the final stretch with the finish line rapidly approaching. Glory awaits, but as every athlete knows, you have to “push through the tape” and cross the finish line before the race is won. If our “race” continues to go as well as it has, indexers and arbitrators will reach the finish within days.
Olympic marathoners end their race on the track inside the main Olympic stadium. When the first runner clears the service tunnel leading from the streets outside the stadium and begins to “kick” toward the finish one-half lap away, thousands of fans erupt in a deafening cheer. It is a spine-tingling moment, charged with emotion. After more than two hours of intense individual effort, suddenly there are tens of thousands to help push weary legs the final 300 meters.
The adrenaline rush in those moments is exhilarating and the race-ending flood of emotions, ranging from relief to amazement to sheer ecstasy, can be overwhelmingly powerful. It’s that same well-deserved feeling we would wish for every 1940 US Census Community Project indexer and arbitrator who has tenaciously stuck with this marathon indexing effort from the starting gun to the finish line.
To you who have given your all to this project and tirelessly pushed through the indexing equivalent of heavy legs, shortness of breath, and doubts about your ability to endure, we can only hope in these final days of the project that you can somehow feel the silent but enthusiastic cheers of the literally tens of millions who are the recipients of your great gift.
The Victor’s Crown
The traditional symbol of Olympic victory is a gold medal, but anciently the symbol was the laurel wreath, woven from the supple branches and leaves of a wild olive tree. The 1940 US Census Community Project represents a major victory. Only the most wildly optimistic individuals would have suggested that the entire census could be indexed and arbitrated in less than 4½ months. But that’s precisely what we, the genealogical community, have done. It’s an achievement without parallel.
Among the project’s myriad astonishing statistics is the number of people who contributed to the creation of the US 1940 Census index. To date that number is hovering near 155,000—enough to make a decent-sized city—and it continues to climb even as we head into the home stretch. The enthusiasm for this project and for indexing in general is such an inspiration!
For all who have participated, from those who arbitrated thousands of names to those who indexed a single batch, we offer the victor’s laurel, a badge you can proudly display to show your part in making history. More celebrating lies ahead, but that can wait until we all cross the finish line together as the last of the full index is published to the world. Stay tuned for more about that in the near future.
The Start of a New Trend?
For now, let’s consider one of the “unintended consequences” of the 1940 US Census Community Project and another comparison to the Olympic marathon. The year was 1972. The setting was Munich, Germany. From the field of more than 70 competitors, a relatively unknown American named Frank Shorter emerged and surprised the world by beating the rest of the field by more than two minutes. His stunning victory was such an inspiration to Americans that it fueled a national running craze that continues to this day.
Great moments in history can inspire generations to take action and accomplish even greater feats. What greater achievements will the memory of the 1940 US Census Community Project inspire? Already it has swept up more participants than any other project of its type in history, but there are billions of additional records still waiting to be indexed. Could the 1940 US Census experience mark the beginning of a new culture of group giving in the genealogical community? We now know what we’re capable of accomplishing—is there any reason we shouldn’t just continue?
If your answer to that question is a resounding, “NO!,” then you’ll be pleased to learn about the US Immigration & Naturalization Community Project. It’s the sequel to the 1940 US Census project and records from this project are already available for indexing (just look for the “US (Community Project)” label).
If you need a rest from the “marathon,” everyone will understand. But if you’re thinking the 1940 US Census was just a good warm up and are wondering just how much more we can accomplish in the future, then get on board and full steam ahead! The race to remember our immigrant ancestors has just begun!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
1940 Census report
Here is the latest report from FamilySearch:
No new states have been posted this week. States such as New York and a few others are so big that they take a lot of processing at the back end to make them searchable. Please be patient as we get them ready to post. I know that we are all excited to see new states posted, especially if it’s been a state you’ve been working on. We want to make sure they are as error free as possible and sometimes that takes a little extra time.
Below are the latest statistics for the project. They continue to be very encouraging.
No new states have been posted this week. States such as New York and a few others are so big that they take a lot of processing at the back end to make them searchable. Please be patient as we get them ready to post. I know that we are all excited to see new states posted, especially if it’s been a state you’ve been working on. We want to make sure they are as error free as possible and sometimes that takes a little extra time.
Below are the latest statistics for the project. They continue to be very encouraging.
- 115,886,258 names have been indexed and arbitrated.
- 29 states have searchable indexes on FamilySearch.org. These states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
- 4 additional states are 100% indexed and arbitrated and are in the final stage in preparation for posting.
- 5 additional states are 90% or more indexed and arbitrated.
- 14 states are 50% or more indexed.
- 4 states are still less than 50% indexed. To see the status of each state visit the 1940 US Census state-by-state progress map on the FamilySearch website.
- The 1940 US Census is currently 82% indexed and arbitrated.
- 150,990 indexers have signed up to index the 1940 US Census.
Friday, May 4, 2012
1940 update
Here is the latest stats from FamilySearch:
It’s great to see that we are not losing steam after our first month of indexing the 1940 US Census. In fact, the opposite is true. We’re still increasing the number of indexers joining our ranks by more than a 1,000 to 1,500 new indexers each day. By this next Monday, we may have passed the 100,000 mark of indexers who are working with us. That is a great milestone, but we can’t let up our efforts and sit on our laurels. Let’s keep telling our friends about this project and see how many more people we can get involved.
Below are the latest statistics for the 5th full week of our combined efforts to index the 1940 US Census. These are stats that everyone can be proud of.
It’s great to see that we are not losing steam after our first month of indexing the 1940 US Census. In fact, the opposite is true. We’re still increasing the number of indexers joining our ranks by more than a 1,000 to 1,500 new indexers each day. By this next Monday, we may have passed the 100,000 mark of indexers who are working with us. That is a great milestone, but we can’t let up our efforts and sit on our laurels. Let’s keep telling our friends about this project and see how many more people we can get involved.
Below are the latest statistics for the 5th full week of our combined efforts to index the 1940 US Census. These are stats that everyone can be proud of.
- So far, 26.85% of the entire project has been completely indexed. That’s more than a quarter of the entire census completed!
- We have 96,232 indexers and arbitrators.
- Twelve states have been indexed and are being processed in preparation for posting on FamilySearch.org. They include Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Wyoming.
- Four states are 85% or more complete. They include: Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Montana.
- The Delaware, Colorado and Kansas indexes have been posted on FamilySearch.org and are available to the public for searching.
- A total of more than 36.5 million records have been indexed and arbitrated to date.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
1940 Census-Who cares?
This is a report on the progress on indexing the 1940 census as of 24 of April from FamilySearch:
Thank you for joining this effort to index the 1940 US Census. It’s good to see so many people enjoying themselves as they give of their time to help the entire community by indexing this valuable collection of American records. (end of Quote from FamilySearch.org)
What does it matter that there is such excitement and what does it mean for the future of research and records availability? It is a clear indication that there is a broad interest in making records available at no cost! That does not imply that there are no costs, just that those cost are not passed on to those who will get the benefits of a free product! This is not the only example of such cooperation resulting in a good product and free to search. The 1880 Census index, Ellis Island and cemetery records are other fine examples. We heartily endorse these efforts and encourage many more. Some States, such as Illinois, are indexing their Vital Records and making them available. However, there are still States that have made their records private and thus only available to close family members with a fee! Pressure must be placed by citizens of those States on their legislators to change this archaic practice and open their records!
We congratulate all organizations and individuals who are promoting, in any way, free access to records!
1940 US Census Indexing Report—April 24, 2012
April 25, 2012 By
We’re half way into our 4th week of indexing the 1940 US Census and we’re making excellent progress. As of April 24th we have the following statistics to report:- So far 18.9% of the entire project has been completely indexed.
- We have 83,795 indexers and arbitrators working to index and arbitrate the census records.
- Five new states have been indexed and are being processed in preparation for posting on FamilySearch.org. They include: Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Utah.
- The Delaware index has been posted on FamilySearch.org and is available for searching.
- An additional eight states are 90% or more indexed. They include: Alaska (98%), Arizona (95%), Florida (93%), Idaho (99%), Nevada (99%), Vermont (92%), Virginia (99%), and Wyoming (98%). To see the status of each state, visit the FamilySearch.org/1940census page.
- A total of more than 26 million records have been indexed and arbitrated to date.
Thank you for joining this effort to index the 1940 US Census. It’s good to see so many people enjoying themselves as they give of their time to help the entire community by indexing this valuable collection of American records. (end of Quote from FamilySearch.org)
What does it matter that there is such excitement and what does it mean for the future of research and records availability? It is a clear indication that there is a broad interest in making records available at no cost! That does not imply that there are no costs, just that those cost are not passed on to those who will get the benefits of a free product! This is not the only example of such cooperation resulting in a good product and free to search. The 1880 Census index, Ellis Island and cemetery records are other fine examples. We heartily endorse these efforts and encourage many more. Some States, such as Illinois, are indexing their Vital Records and making them available. However, there are still States that have made their records private and thus only available to close family members with a fee! Pressure must be placed by citizens of those States on their legislators to change this archaic practice and open their records!
We congratulate all organizations and individuals who are promoting, in any way, free access to records!
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