Hudson genealogists ready to help when 1940 census records are released April 2 – The Jersey Journal

The Hudson County Genealogical and Historical Society will hold a meeting next month shortly after the original 1940 census records are released to help those in attendance “unlock their family history,” the organization said in a statement.

“This is big for genealogists and historians since the government opens up a window into the past,” said Bob Murgittroyd, a society board member.

“The census will provide insight we haven’t previously gotten like family income and family movement over the years, as well as a lot more detail about (family) employment.”

Some 4.5 billion pieces of information covering the 132.2 million people who were alive in 1940 will be released by the U.S. Census Bureau to the public on April 2. Taken during the Great Depression and the New Deal, and on the brink of World War II, the census documents Americans at a time of national struggle and will provide opportunities to learn more about what has become known as “The Greatest Generation.”

On April 14, the historical society will celebrate the release of the census data with an event entitled “Meet the Greatest Generation” at the Secaucus Public Library, 1379 Paterson Plank Road, beginning at 11 am.

Murgittroyd will give a speech called “Counting Heads – History of the Census and How to Use It to Unlock Your Family History” and the meeting will also provide a “census cake” and coffee. Mark Wright will also perform music from the 1940s.

After the talk, a workshop with allow attendees to research the census on the 14 computer workstations available with instruction provided by society members.