1940 Census Geographic Finding Aids

Geographic Finding Aids

Enumeration District Maps

An enumeration district, as used by the Bureau of the Census, was an area that could be covered by a single enumerator (census taker) in one census period. Enumeration districts varied in size from several city blocks in densely populated urban areas to an entire county in sparsely populated rural areas.

Enumeration district maps show the boundaries and the numbers of the census enumeration districts, which were established to help administer and control data collection. Wards, precincts, incorporated areas, urban unincorporated areas, townships, census supervisors` districts, and congressional districts may also appear on some maps. The content of enumeration district maps vary greatly. The base maps were obtained locally and include postal route maps, General Land Office maps, soil survey maps, and maps produced by city, county, and state government offices as well as commercial printers. Census officials then drew the enumeration district boundaries and numbers on these base maps.

The 1940 Census enumeration district maps may be viewed using the National Archives Catalog. See the instructions at http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/start-research.html

Census Enumeration District Written Descriptions

The 1940 Census enumeration district descriptions may be viewed using the National Archives Catalog. See the instructions at http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/start-research.html

1940 City Directories Available at NARA

The National Archives Building, 700 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20408-0001, has a small collection of circa 1940 City Directories. The chart below lists the city directories available.

Additional City Directories can be found at the Library of Congress or at many local libraries.

Stephen P. Morse's 1940 Search Engines:

• Obtaining EDs for the 1900 to 1940 Census in One Step (Large Cities)
   
• Obtaining Streets within EDs for the 1900 to 1940 Census in One Step
   
• Converting between 1930 and 1940 Census EDs in One Step
   
• Finding 1880-1940 ED Definitions in One Step

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