This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/nZB.2ACE/162 Message Board Post: With today's release of the 1930 U.S. Federal Census, many people will want to check out information in the census as soon as they can. The U.S. Archives offers a great page to both explain the census and give you a jump start. To help the researcher, the National Archives has provided an online search help that identifies the layout of enumeration districts within counties so when one does begin a search, you'll know exactly where to go before going through the challenging task of finding the folks you are trying to locate. Quoting from the Archives page: "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." You can find all this and more at http://1930census.archives.gov/beginSearch.asp Good luck! Beth Perry Johnston Hood River County Board Admin