1940 census will be released on April 2, 2012.It will take several months to transcribe all the states.
Facts you should know about the early census records - All census records [1790 – 1840] prior to the 1850 census ONLY listed the head of household; whether male or female.
NO specific age was stated for any family member NO place of birth was stated – city, state, or country NO city, town, or village is stated – only the county; however some census takers listed the township NO street address was stated NO marital status was stated – single, married, widowed, or divorced NO family relationship was stated – brother, sister, cousin, son, daughter, wife, inlaw, etc… NO occupation was stated NO parental birthplaces are stated NO race was stated [but assume “white”]
1850, 1860 & 1870 census records do not show family relationships, marital status or parental birthplaces.
Step children are not enumerated as “step” children Adopted children are not enumerated as “adopted” Grand children are not enumerated as “grand children” Orphaned children were not enumerated as "orphan"
1850 is the 1st census that shows all family members
1880 is the 1st census that shows parental birthplaces +++
1860 - Name: John S Curl Age in 1860: 29 Birth Year: abt 1831 Birthplace: Mississippi Home in 1860: Roane, Lafayette, Arkansas Gender: Male Post Office: Walnut Hills
John S Curl 29, MS - teamster Mary A Curl 23, MS John J Curl 3, MS Mary E Curl 2, MS
1870 - Name: J S Curl Age in 1870: 40 Birth Year: abt 1830 Birthplace: Mississippi Home in 1870: Ward 5, Jackson, Louisiana Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: Brooklin
J S Curl 40, MS - farmer N Curl 32, MS J J Curl 13, MS M E Curl 11, MS W H Curl 9, ARK F Curl 7, ARK P Curl 5, ARK B Curl 9/12, LA
1880 - Name: John S Curl Age: 49 Birth Year: abt 1831 Birthplace: Mississippi Home in 1880: 4th Ward, Ouachita, Louisiana Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Self (Head) Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Nancy Ann Curl Father's Birthplace: Virginia Mother's Birthplace: Mississippi Occupation: Farmer
John S Curl 49, MS - farmer Nancy Ann Curl 34, MS John J Curl 23, MS Mary E Curl 22, MS Wm Henry Curl 20, ARK Francis E Curl 18, ARK Parthnia A Curl 14, ARK Robert Lee Curl 11, LA Permelia A Curl 6, LA Saml B Curl 2, LA
death record - d.12/29/1950 age 79CURL, ROBERT LEE
TRY - Find a grave – free volunteer site all states; frequently has headstone pic DO NOT SEARCH FOR A MARRIED WOMAN USING HER MAIDEN NAME.