Surprises from the “Just Released” 1940 Census

1940 was 72 years ago. It doesn’t sound that long ago, but WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY. If I had to pick one word to describe the 72 year time period, it would be ‘Inflationary’.



In 1940 my Great Grandfather, John Thomas McQuaid was 69 and still working. No retirement.  His wife was 58. Their annual income was $500 and they paid $15 per month in rent. They also had two, male, Wards of the State, living with them. He had zero years of formal education. 72 years later, I am 59, retired, have an annual income over 200 times as large, pay over 120 times as much per month for housing expense, and have a Graduate Degree from college.

My Paternal Grandfather John Leo McQuaid was 38. His wife was 38. Their annual income was $1800. He had a Social Security #, but no tax was taken out of his pay the year before. They owned their house valued at $2800. Both had an education of 4 yr’s of High school.

My Maternal Grandfather Hector Courchesne was 48. His wife was 50, Their annual income was $1600 and was out of work for the last 16 weeks. They rented for $18 per month. He had an Education through 4 yr’s of High School and his wife through grade 6.

My Father Thomas Lynch McQuaid was 12 yr’s 11 Mo., and in the 5th grade. Five years later he would be in the Navy for the last year of WWII.
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My Paternal Great Grandfather & Mother John Thomas McQuaid B1871 & Mary Ellen Moriarty (McQuaid) B1881

1940 Census-USA-10 April 1940, Massachusetts, Hampshire, Ware, 64 West St, ED 8-74, Sheet 4A, John T. McQuaid B1871, age 69, Head of family, white, male, rents for $15 per month, married, '0 yr's' no education, Place of birth is listed as Eire, meaning Ireland in Gaelic, Citizenship Na (Naturalized), lived in the 'Same place' last year, Was at work during the week of Mar 24th, worked 26 hours that week, Wine Clerk at a Hotel, Class of work 'PW' (Private), worked for 26 weeks in 1939, annual income $500.00, no income from non wage job. He lives with his
Wife Mary E. McQuaid B1882, age 58,  (she had a circled 'X' near her name indicating see gave the answers to the Census), female, white, education through 7th grade, born in Massachusetts, lived in the 'Same place' last year, was at home does not work, had income from non wage job. (maybe laundry or baby sitting). 
Martin J. Bolger, State Ward,  B1925, age 15, single, in school, grade 4, born in Massachusetts, lived in the 'same place' last year, was at school and had no income from wage or non-wage jobs,
Edward Denecourt, State Ward,  B1925, age 15, single, in school, grade 6, born in Massachusetts, lived in the 'same place' last year, was at school and had no income from wage or non-wage jobs,
The town of Ware has MANY children listed as 'State Ward', living with families. Most are in school, in a grade level way below their age. Today these would be Forster Children, The depression had a big impact on this.
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My Paternal Grandfather & Mother, Father, and Uncles  John Leo McQuaid B1902 & Agnes Claire Lynch (McQuaid) B1902

John Leo McQuaid Born 26 Aug, 1902

1940 Census-USA- 8 April 1940, Massachusetts, Hampshire, Ware, 6 Clinton St, ED 8-72, Sheet 5B,  John L. McQuaid B1902, age 37, Head of family, white, male, Owns house worth $2,800, married, education through the 4th year of High School, Place of birth Massachusetts, lived in the 'Same place' last year, Was at work during the week of Mar 24th, worked 40 hours that week, Public Works Foreman for the State Dept., Class of work 'GW' (Government), worked for 52 weeks in 1939, annual income $1,800.00, no income from non wage job. 'Supplementary Questions', Father born in Irish free States, Mother born in Massachusetts, English spoken at home, Not a Veteran, Has a Social Security Number, No S.S. deductions made in 1939, Usual Occupation over the last 10 years Foreman for the State Dept. of Public Works, Government Work, He lives with his


Agnes Claire (Lynch) McQuaid Born 24 March, 1902
Wife Agnes McQuaid B1902, age 38,  (she had a circled 'X' near her name indicating see gave the answers to the Census), female, white, education through the 4th year of High School, born in Massachusetts, lived in the 'Same place' last year, was at home does not work,had no income from non-wage job. She was 8 mo. pregnant with son Paul at the time of the Census.
Son, John Jr. B1925, age 14, Male, white, single, in school, grade 7, born in Massachusetts,  lived in the 'Same place' last year.
Son, James, B1926, age 13, Male, white, single, in school, grade 5 (mistake or Held back 1 yr. should be grade 6), born in Massachusetts,  lived in the 'Same place' last year. 

Donald P. McQuaid Born 2 March, 1930 & Thomas Lynch McQuaid Born 9 May, 1927
Son, Thomas B1927, age 12, Male, white, single, in school, grade 5, born in Massachusetts,  lived in the 'Same place' last year.
Son, Donald, B1930, age 10, Male, white, single, in school, grade 3, born in Massachusetts,  lived in the 'Same place' last year. 
Son, William B1936, age 3, Male, white, single, at home, born in Massachusetts,  lived in the 'Same place' last year.
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My Maternal Grandfather & Mother, Mother , Aunts and Uncle. Hector Courchesne B 1892 & Alice Chagnon (Chourchesne) B1890

1940 Census-USA- 23 April 1940, Massachusetts, Hampshire, Ware, 27 Parker St, ED 8-74, Sheet 10B, Hector Courchesne B1892, age 48, Head of family, white, male, rents for $18 per month, married, education through 4 years of high school, Place of birth Canada-French, Citizenship Na (Naturalized), lived in the 'Same House' last year, Was not at work during the week of Mar 24th, was looking for work, Has been out of work for the last 16 weeks, Carpenter in Construction, Class of work 'PW' (Private), worked for 40 weeks in 1939, annual income $1,600.00, no income from non wage job. He lives with his
Wife Alice Courchesne B1890, age 50, female, white, education through 6th grade, Place of birth Canada-French, Citizenship AL (Alien), lived in the 'Same House' last year, was at home does not work, had no income from non wage job.
Daughter Simone A. B1920, age 19, Female, single ,education through 8th grade, Place of birth Canada-French, Citizenship Na (Naturalized) , lived in the 'same place' last year, was at work the week of March 24, worked 40 hours that week, Stitching at Shoe Shop, PW (Private Work), worked for 48 weeks in 1939, annual income $620.00.
 Daughter Clemence E. B1923, age 17,  she had a circled 'X' near her name indicating see gave the answers to the Census, Female, single ,education through 2 years of High School, Place of birth Canada-French, Citizenship Na (Naturalized) , lived in the 'same place' last year, was at work the week of March 24, worked 40 hours that week, Stitcher at Dress Shop, PW (Private Work), worked for 20 weeks in 1939, annual income $240.00.
Daughter Lucille, B1925, Age 14, Female, single, in School, 6th grade, Born in Massachusetts, lived in the 'Same House' last year,  had no income from non wage job. 
Son Lucien, B1925, Age 14, Male, single, in School, 6th grade, Born in Massachusetts, lived in the 'Same House' last year,  had no income from non wage job.
Daughter Rita, B1928, Age 11, Female, single, in School, 3rd grade, Born in Massachusetts, lived in the 'Same House' last year,  had no income from non wage job.