1940 Census — President Franklin D. Roosevelt

It seemed only fitting that I should find President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940 Census, enumerated exactly 72 years to the day from when he appears to have provided the information for his household. He was, after all, also one of the 132 million people living in the United States as of April 1, 1940. In the Population Schedule below, we find Franklin D. Roosevelt listed on line 19 and listed as the 58-year old head of household, born in New York. He reports his place of residence on April 1, 1935 (column 17) was 'Same house' and his occupation and industry is listed as 'President of U.S.A. (columns 28 & 29). Also living in the home are wife Eleanor (55), Personal Secretary Marguerite A. LeHand (43), Cousin Elizabeth Henderson (22), Governess Elspetn Connochie (46), and four Negro Servants Ida M. Allen (35), Armstead H. Barnett (27), Ella F. Sampson (32), and George C. Fields (29).

[Research and transcription by Dan Lynch of Connecticut, with help from the wonderful 1940 One-Step Tools created by Steve Morse and Joel Weintraub of California, and a team of volunteers].

(Click image above to view full size image which will launch in a new window)

In the photograph below (Courtesy of the U.S. National Archives), we see President Franklin D. Roosevelt completing a 1940 census form at his home on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (better known as The White House). Looking on is William L. Austin, director of the U.S. Census Bureau, although Raymond C. Connelly is actually listed as the Enumerator on sheet 61A for Enumeration District 1-74. It appears from the difference in handwriting that President Roosevelt did indeed complete this population schedule himself. In this instance, it appears he did not follow the enumerator instructions by placing a circled-x in column 7 to indicate he was the informant providing the information for the members of this household.

If you have found someone notable in the 1940 census records, be sure to send an email to dan[at]1940census.net so I can share it with others (and note your discovery with your name of course).