1930 Census Opening Ceremony at the National Archives
Media Alert · Friday, February 22, 2002

Washington, DC

WHAT: Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the release of the 1930 Federal population census.

The census has become a key research tool for sociologists, demographers, historians, political scientists and genealogists. The 1930 census consists of 2,667 rolls of population schedules and 1,587 rolls of Soundex indexes for 12 southern states, totaling 4,254 rolls. Even though the statistical summaries collected by enumerators are made public shortly after the census is taken, information on individuals and families is restricted by law for privacy reasons for 72 years. [92 Stat. 915; Public Law 95-416; October 5, 1978].

The ceremony is open to the working press.

WHO: Archivist of the United States John W. Carlin, and Acting Director of the Census William G. Barron, Jr., will make brief remarks on the significance of the opening.

WHEN: 8:30 A.M. to 8:45 A.M., Monday, April 1, 2002

WHERE: Microfilm Reading Room, Fourth Floor. National Archives Building on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 7th and 9th Streets, NW.

NOTE: At 8:45 A.M. the microfilmed copies will be opened for research at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and at 13 of the National Archives regional facilities across the nation and through the National Archives rental program.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

For more information on the 1930 census, see http://1930census.archives.gov.

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