Historian and genealogist Denro sets us straight on the United State Census:
The countdown to the release of the 1940 Census on April 2, 2012 has begun! Genealogists are salivating already! You posted some concerns about the 2010 Census. There’s nothing new under the sun — detailed questions have always been asked, especially in the 20th Century. The Census is the Genealogist’s friend!
Just watch these films. They are actually on the Archives.gov site, but they have also been posted to YouTube. The 1st is a Patriotic Infomercial, 1940s style – “Cooperate” with a Census-taking Uncle Sam! “Census of Housing” is hilariously bad on the acting front — and filled with detail upon hilarious detail. I believe that David Lynch watched this one continually for 24 hrs. straight, and then made “Eraserhead.”
Thanks, Denro! The Census of Population and Agriculture films likewise have some deliciously stilted acting.