Clyde & Nora in 1940

When researching a family, one of the first document collections to consult is the United States census. Taken every ten years, they provide a snapshot of a household at that moment in time.

The 1940 U.S. Census shows the composition of each household as of 1 April 1940, as well as other interesting bits of information about the members of the household. Here’s Clyde and Nora’s household in 1940:¹

Based on this entry, the family was living on Road 879 in Burnside Township, Centre County. They owned their home and it was valued at $3,000. It was also part of a farm. This is today the Hoover Homestead.

Household members included not only Clyde and Nora, but also: Harald, Willard (Boots), Clyde Jr., Donald, Gladys (Peg), Robert (Bob), Jean and Marvin (Bud). They are identified as Clyde and Nora’s children.  Russ and Lenore were enumerated in the next household. Helen, Betz and Ruth (Kate) were not living at home. Helen and Betz were already married and Ruth was living and working in Harrisburg. The (x) by Nora’s name indicates that she provided the information to the census taker (Iva M. Burkey).

The following columns show the individual’s gender, color, age at last birthday, marital status, whether they were attending school, and their “highest grade of school completed.”²

Clyde, Harald, Willard, and Clyde Jr. were all working as laborers. Clyde, Boots, and Clyde Jr. were all working as lumberman, while Harald was working at the brickyard. Russ was working as a truck driver at a saw mill. They worked between 35-38 hours during the week of March 24-30 (column 26). All of them worked in 1939—most for 50 weeks (column 31). Clyde Sr. made the most money, pulling in $1,007. His sons’ wages varied between $800-$900. None of them made more than $50 from non-wage/salary income.

Peg, Bob, Jean and Bud had all attended school since 1 March 1940. Peg and Bob had completed 1 year of high school, Jean 3rd grade, and Bud 1st grade. According this entry, none of them were working.

Clyde Sr. also answered supplementary questions regarding the birthplace of his parents (Pennsylvania), their native language (English), whether he was a veteran (no), whether he had a social security number (no), and more questions about his usual occupation (lumberman).