Are the 1940 Census Records a real threat to privacy?

The 1940 Census records have finally been released to the public. Historians, sociologist, genealogist are already busy browsing through these records – and you should take a look at them too. You can easily look for your last name and find your ancestors. Do you know what your family was doing in 1940? You might learn a lot about your past.

There is a 72 year confidentiality clause on this type of records, which expired yesterday for the 1940 census. This means anyone can have access to these records for free. Some people are worried that personal information will be released, since a lot of elderly citizens would have their birth documented in these records.

What are the risks of someone stealing your identity by using the 1940 Census records? Slim to none. These records to not display any sensitive information such as birthdays or social security numbers. However, the American Civil Liberties Union is opposed to the release of census data; it is considered as a violation of someone's right to privacy.

I understand there is a privacy concern since anyone would have access to addresses and know the income of your family. It would be easy to conduct a quick background check on someone to find out where they come from. But these records are also very valuable to researchers who can use them to determine trends and document life in the 1940s, a cornerstone era of modern American history. It might be hard for living people to accept that their lives are part of our history, but these records are actually helpful to a society in need of a roots.