The magic number is 1930

As a Genealogist one of your best resources will be the United States Census. These documents hold a treasure trove of data that will let you build a family tree.

Unfortunately, U.S. Law keeps Census records private for 72 years. That means you will need to get back to the magic number 1930 (for 3 more years then 1940 becomes the magic number). To make full use of census data you need a profile that shows a family that lived in a particular area in 1930. For instance if you Have Joe Smith (age 42), Mary Smith (Age 41) and Joe Smith Jr (age 12) living in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1930 you will be able to use Census records with ease. The child is 12 so they will be on 2 censuses as a family (1930 and 1920).

So as you build up your sheets to prepare to search, dig extra hard to get data on your family back to the Magic number.