Motivation Monday ~ The Census Is Coming!

digital art by Renjith Krishnan

The Census is coming! The Census is coming! Read all about it! 

How many states were there in the USA in 1940?

48 (Alaska and Hawaii joined in time for the 1950 US Census but let’s not get ahead of ourselves)

How many states, counties, or towns had changed boundaries between 1930 and 1940 census?

Good question!  I haven't figured that one out yet but I'm sure its lots.

How many questions were on the 1940 standard census form?  

34

How many supplemental questions were asked and to who were they directed? 

12, and they were directed to individuals recorded on lines 14 and 29 of each census sheet; as well as some lines randomly designated to ensure a fair sampling.

When & Where will the census images be available? 

On Monday, April 2, 2012 & Online at the NARA national and regional offices and also online and free to the public at Archives.com

Will an index be available on April 2^nd?

Although the records have been digitized and will be available on April 2, there will not be any indexes on opening day.  However, people will be hard at work indexing almost immediately (that was what we call a softball question).  Once again we can thank Dr. Stephen P. Morse for coming up with yet more one-step programs to help us out. We will need to know the enumeration district for the city or town in which our ancestors lived in order to find and make use of the census images.  Why not visit www.stevemorse.org  (amazing one-step search programs including several for the 1940 US Census) and check out how to find those EDs today because continued procrastination is not a good thing where the 1940 Census is concerned.  

Where can you go to get more information about the 1940 Census? 

• If you need a primer about the census, 1940census provides a great overview and image of the forms used.  
• Or why not go directly to the source and learn more about the census from the U.S. Census Bureau (terrific discussion of the 1940 Census Records as well as a nifty countdown clock!).  
• As usual, Randy Seaver was way ahead of the curve ~ his Saturday Night Genealogy Fun for April 2, 2011 posted information about the release of the 1940 Census and asked us to post about which ancestors we would be searching for in the 1940 Census and where they were living on Census Day (hint ~ he told us to check city directories or telephone books and to make a list of those for whom you had an address and those that you needed to find addresses for).  Did you engage in SNGF back then?  Perhaps we should revisit that mission soon ~ why not read Randy Seaver’s post discussing SNGF & the 1940 Census.  
• Want a tutorial to walk you through the process of locating a person in the 1940 Census? Check out Plan Now for the 1940 U.S. Census at Susan’sGenealogy Blog.  
• And for those of you planning ahead, on Wednesday March 7 2012 Thomas MacEntee will present Are You Ready for the 1940 US Census Images? through Legacy Family Tree webinars – why not sign up now.  

I’m sure there are plenty more examples out there, but these should get you motivated to start preparing for the release of the 1940 US Census.

Thankful Thursday ~ An Attitude of Gratitude



Created with Wordle.net ~ Thanks

Here is what we are whipping up this Thanksgiving. Our extended family won't all be together but we do have the family recipes to share. Wherever you are and whomever you are with today ~ Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for reading. So, what are you serving at your Thanksgiving Dinner?

Thanksgiving Table ~ 1962

2011 Thanksgiving Menu in Carver

Appetizers

Spicy Cashews, Warmed Mixed Olives & Sweet Potato Chips

Thanksgiving Cocktail ~  Poinsettias

Dinner

Ashley's 7 Layer Salad

Aunt Diane's Cherry Jello

Mario's Brined & Herb Roasted Turkey

Chuck's Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Mom's Stuffing

Susan's Crescent Rolls

Kris' Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Dessert

Pumpkin Cheesecake Tartlets
  Caramel Apple Cranberry Torte

Coffee/Tea

Food for Thought Today

Question ~ Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Question - What are your family's Thanksgiving traditions?

Visit National Day of Listening

Tuesday's Tip ~ Be Grateful, Listen & Share

Digital Art by Simon Howden  - Thanks!

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, to join together in making that perfect meal with old favorites and new experiments.  We make grocery lists, shop for ingredients, get out the nice linen and good china, set a beautiful table, and organize the meal from carving time backward.  It all comes together mid-afternoon and, at least in our household, something is always left in the oven (usually the rolls)!

Thanksgiving is a great holiday because it is all about sharing a meal and enjoying each other's company (whether you are seated at the "adults' table" or the "kids' table").  Thanksgiving would not be complete in our household without football games on television during the day and White Christmas on television in the evening.

This year, in addition to any traditions your family already enjoys, I would like to suggest three more:

• Express your gratitude to our military this Thanksgiving ~ both our active duty service personnel and their families who serve right along with them.  One percent of our population is shouldering the responsibility for the other ninety-nine percent of us who have not been directly affected by The Iraq War (2003-current) and the War in Afghanistan (2001-current) .  Let us express our gratitude to these hardworking families who provide us with the safety and security to live our lives not only with words but also with deeds.

• We all have people in our lives who have served as role models and for whom we are grateful.  This Thanksgiving ~ take some time to listen to and record the stories of your parents, aunts & uncles, and grandparents.  Friday, November 25th is StoryCorps third annual National Day of Listening ~ why not start early and express your gratitude to those people who have touched your life in a personal way.

• Share your material bounty with others this Thanksgiving ~ consider making an after Thanksgiving donation to your favorite charity or local food pantry.  The poverty level continues to increase (the US poverty rate rose to 15.1%, the highest since 1983 ~ that is about 46.2 million people).  It is important to remember we are all part of a community and we need to share our material bounty with others.

Check out these links to find out more about sharing your gratitude:

Joining Forces ~ Taking action to serve America's military families

National Military Family Association

KIVA ~ Empower people around the world with a $25 loan

Heifer International ~ Pass on the gift

National Alliance to End Homelessness

Feeding America ~ Food Bank locator

Big Brothers Big Sisters ~ Help a child reach his or her potential ~Start Something

(Be sure to investigate any charities you are considering and give/share wisely ~ Charity Watch rates over 500 charities and is a starting point for doing your homework in this regard.)

Food for Thought on Thanksgiving Day

Question ~ Who was your favorite teacher and why?

www.nationaldayoflistening.org

Motivation Monday ~ National Day of Listening

This Friday, November 25th, is StoryCorps National Day of Listening.  Please take a few moments to check out their website National Day of Listening and contact a teacher who has touched your life.  You can call, send a letter, post on Facebook, Google+, or your blog, or use other social media to get your message out.  If you are really industrious you can interview that teacher and share it with the rest of us on YouTube! 

There are so many avenues available and everything you might need (instructions, helpful websites, and tips) is available at their website.  Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner  ~ why not take a moment to remember and thank those teachers (past and present) who touched, improved, or perhaps changed your life. 

I am thankful for the great teachers I had from grade school through college ~ especially these fantastic five:

• Mrs. Jaffie ~ You were the first teacher I really connected with and because of you Great Expectations was an incredible reading experience.  
• Mr. Adams ~ You were the most amazing history teacher ever and made the past come alive for all your students!  You were singlehandedly responsible for my abiding love of history and learning.
• Mr. Paul Boring  ~ You made science fun and encouraged all your students to be good people.
• Mr. Glen Jackson ~ If everyone had the opportunity to take your course Rights & Responsibilities, we would have an amazingly bright and thoughtful citizenry.  You taught me the wisdom of always being prepared rather than playing Jackson roulette ~ something that has served me well in life. 
• Professor James Klonoski  ~  You taught the hardest courses, assigned the most reading, gave the toughest exams, and demanded the most work from your students.  You were a great lecturer and you put your ideals into practice by not only teaching but also doing in the political arena!  I took every course you taught and am a more discerning citizen  for the experience.

Hopefully today's post has motivated you (on Monday) to be thankful (on Thursday) and share your story of a teacher who touched your life with the rest of us either now or during the National Day of Listening (on Friday).

Cheers