1940 Census United States – Census Form Headings

Background
The 1940 Census gives the same basic information obtained from previous census years: name, age, place of birth, family relationships, place of residence, gender, education, and citizenship. There are a few new questions asked that would help in genealogical research.


 * 1. Name of informant: (Column 7): An “X” is placed by the name of the person giving the information. This would then allow knowing the credibility of the information given.
 * 2. Individual present or absent (Column 7): Those who usually live in the home but currently not there were to be marked with “Ab” as being absent from the home.
 * 3. Residence as of April 1 1935 (Columns 17-20). These series of questions help to establish a residence of 5 years previous.
 * 4. Education (Columns 13-14): A broader spectrum of level of education is given.
 * 5. Employment (Columns 23-33): Specific questions about employment, unemployment and income give greater insights into the lives of the people.
 * 6. Census Sampling used (2 lines from each page, example: lines 14 &amp; 29) A few more questions were asked concerning mother tongue, parents’ place of birth, veterans and employment.

1940 Census Form Categories
Location:


 * 1. Street, Avenue or road
 * 2. House Number

Household Data:


 * 3. No. of Household in order of visitation
 * 4. Home owned (O) or rented (R)
 * 5. Value of home or Monthly rental if rented
 * 6. Farm (Yes or No)

Name:


 * Names were written for those whose usual place of residence on April 1, 1940, was in this household
 * “Ab” was written after names of persons temporarily absent from household
 * “Infant” was written for children under age 1 who had not been named
 * An “X” was written after the name of the person furnishing the information.


 * 7. Name of Person

Relation:


 * 8. Relationship of the person to the head of household

Personal Description:


 * 9. Sex
 * 10. Color or Race
 * 11. Age at Last Birthday
 * 12. Marital Status

Education:


 * 13. Attend school or college at any time since March 1, 1940
 * 14. Highest grad of school completed

Place of Birth:


 * If in the US give state, territory or possession
 * If foreign born, give country in which birthplace was situated on Jan 1, 1937
 * Distinguish : Canada-French from Canada-English and Irish Free State from Northern Ireland


 * 15. Where born:

Citizenship:


 * 16. Citizenship of the foreign born

Place of Residence on April 1 1935 (if the person lived in a different place):


 * 17. City, town or village having 2600 or more inhabitants (enter “R” if less)
 * 18. County
 * 19. State (or Territory or foreign country)
 * 20. On a Farm (Y or N)?

Persons 14 years old and over – Employment Status:


 * 21. Working for pay or profit in private or nonemergency Government work during week of March 24-30? (Y or N)
 * 22. If not, worked on or assigned to public Emergency Work (WPA, NYA, CCC, etc.) during week of March 24-30? (Y or N)


 * If no to questions 21 and 22:


 * 23. Was this person seeking work? (Y or N)
 * 24. If not seeking work, did the person have a job (business, etc)? (Y or N)


 * If no to questions 21-24:


 * 25. Indicate whether engaged in home housework (H), in school (S), unable to work (U), or other (Or)


 * If yes to question 21:


 * 26. Number of hours worked March 24-30, 1940


 * If yes to questions 22 or 23:


 * 27. Duration of unemployment up to March 30, 1940 (in weeks)


 * Occupation, Industry, and Class of Worker:


 * If answered yes to questions 21, 22, 24: enter present occupation
 * If answered yes to question 23: enter past occupation or work
 * If no previous work experience: enter “New Worker” (leave columns 29 and 30 blank)


 * 28. Trade, profession
 * 29. Industry or business
 * 30. Class of Worker
 * 31. Number of weeks worked in 1939


 * Income in 1939 (12 months ending Dec. 31, 1939):


 * 32. Amount of money, wages or salary received (including commissions)
 * 33. Did this person receive income of $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary (Y or N)

Farm Schedule


 * 34. Number of Farm schedule

Additional Census Questions:

 * Persons whose names were listed on lines 14 and 29 had the following additional questions:

For Persons of all ages (from lines 14 and 29):


 * 35. Name


 * Place of Birth of Father and Mother:


 * 36. Father’s Place of Birth
 * 37. Mother’s Place of Birth


 * Mother Tongue:


 * 38. Language spoke in home in earliest childhood


 * Veterans - Is this person a veteran or a wife, widow or child under 18 of a veteran?


 * 39. If so, enter yes
 * 40. If child, is the father dead?
 * 41. War or military service

For Persons 14 years old and over (from lines 14 and 29):


 * Social Security:


 * 42. Does the person have a Federal Social Security number? (Y or N)
 * 43. Were deductions for Federal Old-Age Insurance or Railroad Retirement taken from this person’s wages or salary in 1939? (Y or N)
 * 44. If so, were deductions made from (1) all, (2) one-half or more, (3) part, but less than half of pages or salary?


 * Usual Occupation, Industry, and Class of Worker:


 * What occupation does the person regard as his usually occupation and is physically able to do?
 * If unable to determine, what occupation has the person worked the longest in the past 10 years and physically able to?
 * For a person without previous work experience enter “None” on column 45 and skip columns 46 and 47.
 * 45. Usual Occupation
 * 46. Usual Industry
 * 47. Usual Class of worker

For All Women who are or have been married:


 * 48. Has this woman been married more than once (Y or N)
 * 49. Age at first marriage
 * 50. Number of children ever born (do not include stillborn)

Additional Information

 * Columns listed with the alphabetical letters, A-Z, were for codes and office use only.

The following table lists the meaning of symbols and Explanatory Notes: