This web site will help you begin your family history research in the 1930 census. It will tell you

• what questions were asked by the census
• which States had name indexes prepared
• how to search those States and the ones without name indexes
• where to view, rent, or buy the microfilm containing the original records

Use the step-by-step instructions prepared by NARA census experts and the 1930 Census Microfilm Locator on this web site to begin your research. You also will find detailed search strategies as well as specific tips and hints throughout the site. There are two search methods you can use, as shown below:

 d

Use the method for which you have the most specific information. You will find more details on each method by clicking on the headings below.

Please Note: The locator is an online database listing every roll of microfilm in the 1930 census, searchable by over 120,000 geographic locations. It is not a family or individual name index or a digital version of the microfilm.

The census is available for viewing on microfilm at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and at our 13 regional facilities. It is NOT available at the Presidential Libraries.

Soundex

In the 1930s, the Work Progress Administration (WPA) prepared Soundex indexes of names for only 12 southern states. If you are looking for someone in those states, you can use this locator to find the roll of Soundex microfilm you need.

Geographic

This locator also supports searching enumeration district (ED) descriptions by state, county, city, and place names to determine the ED and schedule microfilm roll number. Places include names of town, streets, post offices, rural townships, election precinct and ward numbers, and rivers and lakes. You may also search for institution names such as schools, prisons, and sanitariums.

About the Microfilm

The 1930 census microfilm has been reproduced by the National Archives and Records Administration from the highest quality master negatives available from the Bureau of the Census. The original film includes defects that affect the legibility of some frames. The original paper schedules no longer exist. View samples of microfilm.