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How to Find Ancestors in the 1940 Census Using the E.D. Number
Once you have the Enumeration District (E.D.) number for an ancestor, starting 2 April 2012, you can use that number to find her or him in online census images at sites like:


 * National Archives - 1940 Census
 * FamilySearch - 1940 Census
 * Ancestry - 1940 Census ($)
 * 1940census.net

The census population schedule images will be arranged in order by—


 * census year - for example, 1920, 1930, 1940
 * state - for example, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware
 * county - for example, Kent County, New Castle County, Sussex County
 * enumeration district number - for example, ED 3-23, ED 3-24, ED 3-25
 * order of household visitation by the census taker.

All of the above items are found on every page of the census. However, the Internet sites that make the 1940 census images available may not necessarily choose to list the E.D. numbers in their browsing structure. As a substitute for the E.D. number, some sites may choose to display a microfilm or some other number.

Sites that Show E.D. Numbers
If the Internet site you use shows the E.D. number when you browse, it should be fairly easy to open the pages for that E.D. Then move page-by-page through the E.D. looking for the ancestor's family living there in 1940.

Note that the street name will be listed on the left side of each census page. You can also use the street name to help locate an ancestor's family if you also know their address.

Usually, even without an address you will be able to browse through all the pages of the E.D. looking for an ancestor in less than an hour.

Sites without E.D. Numbers Showing
If the census site you use does not display the E.D. numbers in their browse structure, you should still be able to narrow the search to the correct E.D. within a few minutes. Open a census page about half way through the the browse and read the top of the page to determine if it is before or after the E.D. number you seek. Then open another page about half way through the remaining part of the browse, read the page top, and determine if it is before or after the right E.D. Continue on repeatedly dividing the remaining browse in half and opening pages until you narrow the pages you open to the correct E.D.

Once you find the correct pages for the E.D., begin browsing page-by-page through that E.D. looking for the ancestor's family.

Census E.D. Numbers on Microfilms
The 1940 census pages will also be available on about 4,650 microfilm reels at the National Archives, and other repositories that purchase film copies. You will need to know the number of the microfilm reel that contains the desired E.D., and also how the E.D. numbers are arranged on that roll.

Use the

When You Find an Ancestor
Capture an image of each ancestor's family on the census. Transfer the genealogical information to the ancestors' family group records. Analyze the information you find and compare it to other sources to evaluate its accuracy. Ponder the information thinking about implications and possible clues it may provide for finding further sources.