I’d never seen a census form until last year. They are a snapshot of a household and they hold a tremendous amount of information about your history. These forms record names and relationships in the household, ages, occupations, education levels and veteran status. There is place of birth for the person recorded as well as the place of birth for that person’s parents. The 1930 census even asks if there is a radio in the home.

Rinne household in 1930

Rinne household in 1930

This is the form from 1930 which records a three-generation household consisting in part of my great-grandfather, my grandmother and grandfather and my mom and 2 aunts. My great-grandfather’s job is listed as ‘poultry man’ and my grandfather is recorded as a manager of a motor car company (a job that would soon end because of the depression).

Start the research on your own personal family history by logging on to Family Search and see what you might learn about your family in 1930.