UNLOCK THE 1950 US CENSUS

Ready to join the cause?

It is as easy as 1, 2, 3 . . .

1. Review Names

Reviewing names is a good place to start. Simply compare the handwritten name with the indexed name to see if it matches or needs to be edited. If you are unsure, you can skip the name to have another volunteer check it.

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2. Level up by reviewing families

After getting comfortable with reviewing names, try reviewing families. You’ll group names into households, match the street address to the family, and review other important fields to help make sure these families can be found.

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3. Use the Get Involved mobile app

Reviewing names is available in the new Get Involved mobile app as well as in the Get Involved section on FamilySearch.org.

What are the top priorities?

Every name reviewed makes a difference. But, if you are wondering where the project could use some extra attention, here is a list of current priorities.

Top State

The state that is the highest priority for completion now appears near the top of the 1950 US Census project page in a blue banner.

SEE THE PRIORITY STATE

Reviewing Families

The task of reviewing families takes more time and attention than reviewing names. But, a state can’t be completed until all the families have been reviewed. We need more people to jump in on the family review to ensure that all the states get completed.

START REVIEWING FAMILIES

I'm stuck. What do I do?

Learn how to review families by watching this short video.

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View a Detailed Overview of Family Review

The following instructions cover the most common issues people may encounter as they review names and families.

The line says “Vacant” or “Not at Home.”

Notes like "vacant" and "not at home" were indexed as names and should be reported. Here's how:

In Name Review:

In the bottom right corner of the screen, click Not a person.

In Family Review:

Before proceeding, identify first how many lines on the form contain the note "Vacant" or "No one home."

If it is just a line or two unrelated to the household you are reviewing, just make sure the lines are unchecked. You can then continue reviewing.

If the entire household is listed as "Vacant" or "No one home," here's what to do:

At the bottom of the page, click Skip Household.
Select the option for The entire household is vacant.
Click Submit.

How do I group households?

The first step of reviewing families is to group all of the members into the correct households. A household refers to all of the individuals living at the same postal address. The census defines a household as one or more of the following individuals:

The head
The spouse (husband/wife)
Unmarried sons and daughters
Married sons and daughters and their families
Other relatives
Other persons, such as lodgers, roomers, maids, or hired hands and their relatives who live in the household.

When reviewing families, the first step of grouping the members of the household together is done by selecting the "head" of the household and all additional people living that household by clicking on the selection box to the left of their names their names. Typically, you will click on everyone until you reach the next "head" of household. When working on a household at the top of bottom of the page, follow the instructions to ensure all household members are included. Once all household members are selected, click the "next" button.

Household members may have different surnames or be from different families.

Incorrectly assigning the head’s surname to everyone in the household is one of the computer’s most common errors and should be corrected wherever you find it.

When in doubt, skip.

If for any reason you are unsure of what to do with a name or a family, you can skip it. When reviewing names, click “Unsure.” When reviewing families, click “Skip Household.” Skipped items will be reviewed by another volunteer.

Have a different problem? Click the Feedback button.

If you encounter a problem when reviewing families that is not covered above, click on the feedback button and let us know. Your feedback will be sent to a group of experts that will look into it.

Start Reviewing the 1950 US Census

It is easy to get started with reviewing the census. All you need is a FamilySearch account and a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

GET STARTED

1950 US Census Sharable Image

Download this sharable image by clicking on the image or by using the HTML code below.

HTML code to copy/paste: <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/GetInvolved/1950"><img src="https://familysearch.brightspotcdn.com/b9/3d/91a6db094c4db9ec9de4cbdc73ce/shareable-image-1200x630.png"></a>

Invite Family and Friends

Invite your family and friends to review the census with you. You can focus on the shared surnames or places that mean the most to you.