The Digital Public Library of America

Hi All,

I've been waiting for just the right opportunity to discuss this next website. I wanted a day where the the weather was cold, snowy and raw - so that readers would be able to do a deep dive into this next website and not be distracted by other events!

The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)!  What is it?  Great question. 

The quick answer is that the DPLA is a national digital library that contains books, images, historic records and audiovisual materials. The materials are available to anyone with Internet access.  For a more full description of the DPLA, click on this link.

From the homepage users can click on Exhibitions, Explore by Place (maps), Explore by Date (timeline), download DPLA Apps, get DPLA News and more.

There is also a separate link for the DPLA Bookshelf - which is an easy way to search DPLA's books, serials and journals.

This is an eclectic - and very interesting - look into American social, political and cultural history.  And, too top it all off...its free - and very, very easy to use!

Enjoy the sites and the results and the many hours of entertainment you'll spend on DPLA.  And you won't even know that you're learning all about American history!

Regards,
Stu

Calling All Genealogists and Family-Tree Makers!!!!

Hi Genealogists and Family Tree Makers,

Hard-core genealogists might possibly already know about the the 1940 census being put online on Monday, April 2nd 2012. Click on this link to access the 1940 census right now!

So, just what can you find on the 1940 census? Users can find an individual in the census, locate images (which can be further saved, shared, downloaded, used as a keepsake or for a family tree).

There is a huge, huge amount of information in the data. For example, users will find information that reflects the Great Depression and the New Deal. Internal migration, employment status, occupation, participation in the New Deal Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), WPA or NYA is indicated. This is just a super-brief overview of this mass of data. Click here for the Census Archives link that explains the census in a bit more detail.

This link will actually help you get started searching the 1940 census - simple and easy-to-use.

This next link will help you search the 1940 census by location or by enumeration district (ED) to help you find a census schedule (sets of census images).

Finally, users can use this video link to learn how to get started searching the 1940 census! Cool stuff.

Enjoy the new, massive treasure trove of information that is now available!

Stu