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On April 2, 2012 the National Archives published the 1940 Census on-line. With a little digging I was able to find all of the census records for all of the Garrisons and Crosbys in my direct line.
I didn’t plan on learning any ground shaking information from the censuses. After all, I already knew all of the genealogical information for the family members recorded on the 1940 census. I wasn’t expecting an “Ah ha!” moment and, as expected, I didn’t get one. However, searching the census by Enumeration Districts turned out to be more than an academic exercise. There were a couple bits of interesting information that made the search worth the time.
Highest Grade of School Completed?
My father’s parents, both of whom were born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada answered:
- Roy Crosby, 5th
- Catherine Crosby, 7th.
My mother’s parents, both of whom were born and raised in Mercer County, NJ answered:
- Charles Garrison, 8th
- Leota Garrison, H-1 (or 1 year of High School, so 9th grade.)
Three of my great grandparents were living in the US in 1940 (Trenton to be exact).
Sturley and Addie Garrison, both born and raised in rural Pennsylvania answered:
- Sturley 7th
- Addie 6th.
Gertrude Dix (Wigley/Dobbs/Weastell), born and raised in Trenton, NJ answered: H-1 (9th).
Of the seven grandparents, only Gertrude and her daughter Leota reached high school and none graduated.
Income for 1939
Previous censuses asked about the value of any property owned. But this was the first census to ask about the previous year’s income and number of weeks worked.
- Charles Garrison 36 weeks = $298 / Grinder at Roller Bearing
- Sturley Garrison 52 weeks = $1,738 / Blacksmith at Trenton Fire Dept.
- Roy Crosby 4 weeks = $35 / House Painter (he also received other income outside of wages, but the source and amount aren’t listed.)
