Have you found yourself, parents, or grandparents on the 1950 U.S. Census? The National Archives made this census public on April 1, 2022, and you can search for people by name after registering for a free ID at: https://www.familysearch.org/1950census/. The 1950 Census provides a wealth of information on individuals—famous and not-so-famous—and the neighborhoods they lived in.
The first example (click to enlarge) shows publisher Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990) of Bedminster just prior to his service (1951-57) representing Somerset County in the NJ State Senate. His occupation is listed as Social Editing in the publishing industry, and he worked a 48-hour week. Forbes would go on to make Forbes Magazine one of the most influential publications in the nation.
The second example shows Rev. Edward Draus (1914-1957), pastor of St. James Roman Catholic Church in Basking Ridge and indicates he had a 60-hour work week. His rectory was on South Finley Avenue in the center of the village (currently Edward Jones Investments).
By using the Page Forward and Page Back controls on the site, you can move street by street through Bedminster, Basking Ridge, and other towns as they were in 1950.
