The 1940s: My Link to the Past

You might remember this post about Family Search indexing. Well, in 19 short days, on April 2, the 1940 U.S. Federal Census will be released to the public. I know I will be helping with indexing that census. Who wants to join me? It would make a great project for anyone who shares a love of service and history.

I consider the 1940s my real link to the past. Though I wasn't born yet, my parents were born during that decade. My grandparents were young newlyweds, starting their families, filled with the hope of youth. The events of the 1940s helped shape my grandparents (and parents) into the people they became. Reading the 1940 census will allow me to see my grandparents not as the older adults they have been my entire life, but as young adults. The 1940 census will allow me to figuratively read the beginning of a book--a book with fleshed-out, familiar and beloved ending chapters, but not-as-familiar earlier chapters. I look forward to noticing the themes and foreshadowing.

Thankful thought: Thanks for photos, censuses, and other documents that help us more deeply understand and appreciate our ancestors.

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