Records from the 1940 census can give you a lot of information about your family. Because so many questions were asked in the 1940 census, the records might seem overwhelming at first. Learn how to read a 1940 census record with just a few colorful visuals!
A 1940 Census Record Has Five Sections
A 1940 census record can be split into 5 sections to make it easier to digest: location and household, personal information, 1935 residence, employment, and supplemental information.
Location and Household Information: Columns 1–6
If you want to know the street address of your ancestor in the 1940 census, this is the place to look.
Name and Personal Information: Columns 7–16
Column 7 is where you look for your ancestor’s name. Names in the census record were generally grouped by last name, with the head of a household listed first.You may also learn about your family member’s birthplace, family relationships, marital status, and even citizenship by looking at this section.
1935 Residence Information: Columns 17–20
This section of the 1940 census record tells you where your ancestor lived 5 years before the census was taken.
Employment Information: Columns 21–34
Look at this section to find out about your ancestor’s occupation and other work information. Here you might learn where they worked (or if they went to school), how many hours they worked, and even their salary.
Supplemental Information: Columns 35–50
Always check the bottom section of a 1940 census record to see if your ancestor was chosen to answer some extra questions. You might learn about your ancestor’s veteran status, Social Security number, usual occupation, and more.
Learn More about the 1940 U.S. Census
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