Margaret Hewitt, Butler Area Public Library special collections librarian, pulls up digital census records from the library computer access portals. Full census data from 1950 is newly released to the public, including resident names, ages, relatives and occupations. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

Those searching the family tree now have a new treasure trove of information to dig through.

People can visit the Butler Area Public Library, 218 N. McKean St., to find U.S. Census information from 1950 on individuals’ ages, birthplaces and marital status, their country of origin, how many hours a week they worked or the highest grade of school they completed.

All of this data is available now, 72 years after 1950, as per the terms of the federal 72 Year Rule enacted in 1978.

The data is available for viewing on the National Archives’ website, but the Butler library has an extensive genealogy department, where information from the census can compliment local records to paint a picture of local and family history.

“Having this ‘new’ census year available to us is so helpful in pinning down the right information before we head back in history, especially for beginners,” said Margaret Hewitt, special collections librarian.

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.