Civil War casualty lists should be higher

From Commercial News: Civil War casualty lists should be higher
A recent study by Binghamton University historian J. David Hacker indicates that the previous estimate of 620,000 American casualties in the Civil War — America’s deadliest war — should actually be 20 percent higher; the figure 750,000 is probably more accurate. The casualty list includes men who died in battle as well as those who died as a result of poor conditions in military camps. “Roughly two out of three men who died in the war died from disease.”

Hacker’s findings will be published in the December issue of Civil War History and Rachel Coker’s article on this study can be read at http://discovere.binghamton.edu/news/civilwar-3826.html.

1940 census
While waiting for the index to the 1940 federal census to become available online, it would be wise to prepare for the data it contains by having a form on which to record the census data. The national Archives has made such a form available at http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/1940.pdf.

Researchers will be pleased to note there were many questions on the 1940 census that had not appeared on previous census questionnaires. To read a more legible list of questions asked on the 1940 census, visit http://1940census.archives.gov/questions-asked.

The Instructions to Enumerators includes some noteworthy remarks about recording personal descriptions. “Column 10 — Color or race — Any mixtures of white and nonwhite blood should be recorded according to the race of the nonwhite parent. A person of mixed Negro and Indian blood should be reported as Negro unless the Indian blood greatly predominates and he is universally accepted in the community as an Indian. Other mixtures of nonwhite parentage should be reported according to the race of the father. Mexicans are to be returned as white, unless definitely of Indian or other nonwhite race.” To read all instructions to enumerators, visit http://1940census.archives.gov/downloads/instructions-to-enumerators.pdf.

FamilySearch has reported that its 1940 U.S. Census Community Project has had more support than any previous project. Estimates are that it will take about two weeks for all states to be indexed. “Volunteers completed the indexing for the state of Delaware in the first 24 hours.” Next states to be indexed: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Virginia. Visit the FamilySearch indexing updates page to learn more. Go to http://www.familysearch.org, click on United States, and browse the list. Click on Indexing to learn more about what indexing is being done and how to participate.

Muncie Genfest
The Muncie (Ind.) Public Library will host another Genfest from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 22-23. Those in attendance will be able to conduct genealogical research, attend seminars, view exhibits, shop at the various vendor stalls and network with other researchers. With the exception of Friday’s dinner and Civil War exhibit at Minnetrista, all events are free and open to the public.

For complete details visit http://www.munpl.org, click on Adults, then Local History and Genealogy, and follow the Genfest link.