1950 US Census Community Project

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Review and Improve the Index of the 1950 United States Census

https://www.familysearch.org/en/info/1950-census-community-project

This is going to be fun, and we want to be part of it. South King County Genealogical Society has applied to be part of the 1950 US Census Community Project. We hope as many of you as possible register to be part of the fun as well. 

Not just fun, but also important

It is important because states will be released as they are marked 100% complete, and we would love Washington to be one of the first! Which is why we're hoping that all the other Washington state genealogy societies get involved as well. And, we hope to show up as one of the most active, effective and involved societies in the state. 


It is important because this is the first census to be completely indexed. Complete, meaning that every field is being indexed! Can you imagine how powerful search will be, when we can narrow the search by field? 

It is important because the 1950 is also the first census to be indexed by artificial intelligence. Human eyes and human intelligence need to review the work that the computers have done for us. This means that we can usually work quickly and yet still have nearly perfect accuracy.

It is important because this is the first large-scale project that FamilySearch is rolling out in their new Get Involved initiative, which folds in the original indexing projects. Some of the indexing "by hand" will continue, but more and more of it will be humans reviewing computer-created indexing. This will allow us access to more indexed records faster than ever before. 

It is important because for the first time, each of us can choose records to work with which we know, because the people and places involved are ours, and in the times we are familiar with. 



The primary reason this is important:

This Historic Census Sheds Light on People Living in 1950

We have not gotten final information about exactly how this will work, but each person who reviews names, EDs and other top-of-page information, and families will get badges for their participation, and so will other community projects, and SKCGS will get statistics.

What do John F. Kennedy, Aretha Franklin, Chuck Norris, and Bill Russell have in common?

They can all be found in the 1950 US census, about to be released by the US National Archives and Records Administration. The exciting challenge is finding them in the hundreds of thousands of digital images online, which will be difficult until a complete and accurate searchable record is available. SKCGS is honored to help to refine the 1950 census records and encourages everyone to participate. [1]

One way you can prepare now for the April 1 release is to watch this Rootstech class:  https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/get-involved-and-reviewing-the-1950-census (28 minutes). 

I'm excited to get started, and I hope you are too!

1. https://familysearch.brightspotcdn.com/bf/ee/1af162634a22aa1955f29c2971b7/1950-census-community-newspaper-article-2022.pdf

Valorie Cowan Zimmerman


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