www.Leazott.com

The 1950 Census Is Coming Out - Get Ready        Published Monthly
Lesson 066...                                                                                                            2021 04 06

Defining The Problem...
For genealogy enthusiasts and professionals, the 1-Year countdown has begun!
On April 1, 2022, the 1950 US Census will cross the 72-Year law and become available!

But don't count your chickens before they hatch!
Things can change in an instant, just as it did a few years back for the 1931/41 Canada Censuses!

So we go forth hoping for the best and preparing for whatever comes!
In reality, the prepatory work must be done no matter how things are laid out for accessing the files.

The first of many problems will be in who gets awarded publication "rights".
As we know, this can be a problem when large pay-websites aquire other documentations.
Although technically it is available to the public, there are monthly costs required in order to access.

While those issues are extreme, dealing with available material in an efficient manor is the goal here.
End user issues include finding which website(s) has them, indexing, image saving and more!
Transcriptions of the document images are also a large problem facing users as well.


How Does This Happen?...
As far as US records are concerned, there is a 72-Year hold on census documents before publicising.
The stated reason given is that it is to protect people from misuse of their information.
However, in the information age, this doesn't seem to provide any help.

Due to so many people expressing their "right to privacy", certain steps were taken to help assure it.
Whether their reasons came from logic or fear, or are  above/below board doesn't matter.
The result is a loss of information to us all for an extended period of time.

There is rumor that the 72-year timeline was chosen to align with the belief of an average lifespan.
Additionally, by adding the "2", the information is delayed by one final census.
Many countrys have similar guidelines about their own censuses.

Beware of changing laws to increase that timespan and the arguement it's based on.
Recently Canada altered its laws to delay/rescind its censuses to 92-years.
Reasons included the supposition that people live longer now.


What Can We Do To Prepare For The Release?...
Good prepatory work is essential for a variety of reasons.
This will help you record information both in quantity as well as quality.

Most of us have been diligently recording much info, including previous censuses as needed.
Now is the time to step up our game as the opportunity for advancing approaches.
Our goal is to devise a method that will quickly preserve the information.

The first thing to do is check your database to see who might be listed in the 1950 US Census.
Any family tree software should be able to sort people by birthyear in a single mouseclick.
Review any persons not yet having a birthyear and assign an "estimated" birthyear.

Next is to create a folder in order to quickly save the info in any format or style that it's presented as.
Name each folder with the persons name and birth/death years (If known, or an estimate).
This may take some time now, but will earn many saved manhours later.

Fortunately, we can expect this work to help propel us in several ways.
It can record/save new data/images quickly and help save previous info the same way.
Heed the lesson of the Canada Censuses and record the info quickly in case it becomes rescinded.


Where Can We Find The 1950 Census Data?...
Between census releases, there are other established ways to overcome the information lag.
Social media and findaperson websites are un-official and less credible, but effective.
Many people leave their social media open and post personal info there.

As for the release, the actual census sheets are currently being scanned and indexed.
Neither operation has yet been completed, and likely will not be until after the release date.
Obviously this will be an inconvienience at the start, but work should be complete by 2022's end.

But where will it be available for search and image downloads?
In the past, many types of research images have been handled by large webites.
Some websites have charged a fee for access, but probably won't be the case in future censuses.

As with the previous census, online images will be made public by the census bureau.
The software for the 1950 Census is to be better suited for mis-spellings and sorting methods.
It is expected to fit more closely to genealogical needs than the previous version and be user friendly.


What Did We Learn From This?...
The 72-Year rule keeps information from the public to help prevent misuse of personal information.
It is a major hinderance to genealogists, but can sometimes be offset by other data types.

Being prepared requires only a few simple steps that we should have been doing all along anyway.
Because of sheer numbers it may require many manhours, but is well worth the time it takes.
Early prepatory work is essential, due to availability risks from todays fluid environment.

Sorting your software's database by birth dates requires only one mouseclick.
Add estimated birthdates to any persons that you cannot find data for.
Create folders for each subject by Name & Birth To Death dates.

Be sure to assign each person at least a birth date even if you can't find a death date.
These dates will be part of their folder name and are what make them unique.
When same-name persons exist, folder names would appear like this.

After you've completed the prepatory stage and the census has been released, the work begins!
It's important that you work diligently through your list and secure the data quickly.
While an increased hold time may not be likely, why take a chance?


The Basic Rules...
First...
Sort your database by birth date (Earliest first) in your family tree software.
Most software will automatically place those without birthdates at the top of the list.

Second...
Add estimated birthdates to any person not having one, or if data cannot be found.
Do this for subjects presumed deceased before the census as well, unless other plans exist.

Third...
Create folders for each subject in the entire family tree by Name & Birth To Death dates.
Make this step a part of any new subjects intake when being added for easier image and note backup.



As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

www.Leazott.com
Family Tree And Website