Indexing

I am sure that every good housewife has the initiative and desire to seek out interesting and different ways to help the world; just set those kids aside and get out the freezer dinner and you're all set, right?  This may not be the case for everyone, but I know that we find time for the things we like to do, and if that happens to help out the world then extra bonus for us!  So the 1940 U.S. Census records were released yesterday to the general public for indexing.  Indexing is the act of copying information from a written record to a digitized (typed) record.  Here is a copy of one of the batches I indexed today. 

Anyone can index records regardless of their religion, ability, desire, time, etc.  Go to the Worldwide Records Indexing page and take a look around.  The end goal is to create a searchable database of the 1940 census so that you and I can find our family members and learn more about them.  The census is released 72 years after it is taken, supposedly to protect the identity of living people.  The 1940 census is unique because it is one of the first censuses to be released while many of those included then are still alive today.  I wouldn't be surprised if the 72 years is changed in the future since people are living longer than they did way back when.  This is a worldwide project and if you don't have anything to do (because every good housewife has free time!) then try it out.  You might even find some of your own family there!