Celebrate the 1950 Census Release with Spring Programs
Press Release · Friday, April 8, 2022

Washington, DC

We celebrate our April 1 release of the 1950 Census with a slate of great programs for genealogists, students, educators, and census enthusiasts. These webinars and workshops are free and open to the public. Most will be streamed live (and available afterward) on the National Archives YouTube Channel. 

Anyone, anywhere can now freely access 1950 census records online as well as contribute updates to the draft name index, which will be forever associated with the archival record of these documents. Learn about these historic records and how to access them through our webinars, National Archives Genealogy Series: 1950 Census. See related National Archives News story: Genealogy Series 2022 Kicks Off With “What's on the 1950 Census.”

Genealogy Series: The Story of the 1950 Census P8 Indian Reservation Schedule
Wednesday, April 27, at 1 p.m. ET. Watch on YouTube.
As part of the 1950 population census, the Census Bureau used a special schedule on certain Native reservations nationwide. Archivist and Subject Matter Expert for Native American–Related Records Cody White will explain the genesis, creation, and execution of the 1950 P8 Indian Reservation schedule. See related National Archives News feature: Archivist Explores History of 1950 Census Indian Reservation Schedule and read Cody White’s full Text Record blog post: The Story of the 1950 Census P8 Indian Reservation Schedule. 

What Can the Census Teach Us? Educator Professional Development Webinar
Thursday, April 28, 7–8 p.m. ET, for teachers, librarians, and K–12 educators 
On April 1, 2022, the National Archives shared online the 1950 Census records gold mine. This workshop will explore and examine this historic milestone using primary sources dating back to the Constitution (which mandates the census in Article 1, Section 2). Taken every 10 years since 1790, the U.S. Census provides a snapshot of the nation’s population. Educators will examine records (including photographs, maps, charts, advertisements, and more) and discuss the census as it relates to immigration, gerrymandering, slavery, and diversity. Advance online registration is required, and the link will be shared the week of the event. 

Exploring Immigrant Experiences Through Census Records
Thursday, April 28, at 5 p.m. ET, register online, watch on YouTube.
Join National Archives Foundation Executive Director Patrick Madden and Elizabeth Burnes, archivist for the National Archives at Kansas City and subject matter expert for immigrant records, for a conversation about using census records to help tell the immigrant experience.  This program will look at how immigrants have historically been recorded in the census and make connections to National Archives holdings from the Census Bureau and other federal agencies. 

Genealogy Series: From Parchments to Printouts: History of the Census from 1790 to 1950
Wednesday, May 11, at 1 p.m. ET.  Watch on YouTube.
Chief Historian for the U.S. Census Bureau Sharon Tosi Lacey explains how every census is a snapshot of our country at a particular point in time. As America has grown and changed, the U.S. census has evolved with it. As the first census after World War II, the 1950 Census marked the beginning of pivotal changes in every aspect of our society: economically, demographically, and technologically. This presentation will trace the arc of progress from 1790 to 1940, then delve into the 1950 Census in order to provide the context in which the Census Bureau collected, processed, and analyzed this data.

Genealogy Series: History of Census Records and the National Archives
Wednesday, May 18, at 1 p.m. ET. Watch on YouTube.
National Archives Historian Jessie Kratz presents the history of census records in relation to the history of the National Archives. She will discuss census records before they came to the National Archives, their transfer upon the creation of the National Archives, and the history of their availability and use.

Genealogy Series: Historic Census Bureau Sources for Filipino, Guamanian and Chamorro, American Samoan, and Native Hawaiian Research
Wednesday, May 25, at 1 p.m. ET. Watch on YouTube.
U.S. Census Bureau historian Christopher Martin will share extensive historic Census Bureau resources for Filipinos, Guamanians and Chamorros, American Samoans, and Native Hawaiians. He will explore the surveys and census history unique to those Pacific islands as well as the enumeration and representation of their populations in stateside questionnaires and reports. 

See also:  

• Genealogy Series: Overview of What's on the 1950 Census: Genealogy/Census Subject Matter Expert Claire Kluskens provided an overview of what’s available (and not available) in the 1950 Census. (March 2, 2022)
• Genealogy Series: Mapping the 1950 Census: Census Enumeration District Maps:  Cartographic records Supervisory Archivist Brandi Oswald discussed how to locate and use census enumeration district maps, including those from the 1950 Census. (March 16, 2022)
• Genealogy Series: The 1950 Census Website: Design, Development, and Features:  Web Branch Chief for the Office of Innovation (Digital Engagement Division) Michael L. Knight shared website features for the 1950 Census release. (March 30, 2022)

Census and immigration programming are made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Denise Gwyn Ferguson.