Did you know October is Family History Month?

     Well, it is...at least to genealogists and libraries and several other organizations across the United States.  I imagine anyone could go to Google and find out more about it.  But I'd like to give you just a few facts right here.
     Lots of genealogists and family historians know that the census records are an invaluable resource.  The U. S. National Archives and Records Administration makes census records available to the public 72 years after the census is conducted.  Can you figure out what year's census records are due to be released on April 2, 2012?
     The U. S. Census Bureau also collects data on a variety of subjects, including American families, such as:
     * In 1950, there were 39 million families in the U. S.  By 2009 the number had more than doubled to 79 million and the average family size was three people.  What do you think our family size is today in 2011?
     * In 1890, the median age at first marriage was 26 for men and 22 for women.  In 2009, the ages were 28 for men and 26 for women.  Wonder what it is today?  Does getting older mean getting wiser?
     * In 1960, 88 percent of the 63.7 million children under age 18 living in the U. S. lived with both parents...9 percent lived with one parent.  In 2009, 70 percent of all children lived with two parents and 26% lived with one parent.  Does this mean we are slowly becoming single parent families?
     Some of our most famous people have voiced their opinions about families, such as:
     * "Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family...in another city." - George Burns, comedian/actor
     * "A family is a unit composed not only of childen but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold."  - Ogden Nash, poet
     * "If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance."  - George Bernard Shaw, author
     * "Family isn't about whose blood you have.  It's about who you care about."  - Trey Parker and Matt Stone, SouthPark, creators
     Are you interested in your family's history?  Now's the time to visit our Ellen Payne Odom Genealogical Library.  Our staff will give you tips for finding family members and use of other genealogical sources.
     It's a good time to celebrate Family History Month...and your family!
(Source: Random Salmplings, the official blog of the U.S. Census; The Quotations Page)