Your family in 1950 probably learned about their world differently than you do today. Finding them in the 1950 U.S. Census can help you understand more about their day-to-day lives—and how the news helped shape it.
Your family in 1950 probably learned about their world differently than you do today. Finding them in the 1950 U.S. Census can help you understand more about their day-to-day lives—and how the news helped shape it.
By the Ancestry® Team
By the Ancestry® Team
1950 Census Page How People Got the News
If one of your relatives sat down to read a newspaper on April 1st, 1950, the front page may have included a story about the U.S. Census getting underway, a $3 billion foreign aid bill, or even President Truman signing a controversial farm measure. And depending on where your family lived, they may have read about a meeting at the community center or found a recipe for Tuna Cheese Cake.
If one of your relatives sat down to read a newspaper on April 1st, 1950, the front page may have included a story about the U.S. Census getting underway, a $3 billion foreign aid bill, or even President Truman signing a controversial farm measure. And depending on where your family lived, they may have read about a meeting at the community center or found a recipe for Tuna Cheese Cake.
In 1950, news wasn’t a 24-hour endeavor, and it arrived at more predictable times. But news technologies may still have shaped the ways our ancestors informed themselves. The news media during the compiling of the 1950 U.S. Census is no exception, coming at a time when a revolutionary new medium—television—was reshaping how news was reported.
In 1950, news wasn’t a 24-hour endeavor, and it arrived at more predictable times. But news technologies may still have shaped the ways our ancestors informed themselves. The news media during the compiling of the 1950 U.S. Census is no exception, coming at a time when a revolutionary new medium—television—was reshaping how news was reported.
The census numbers show that radio was still the dominant home media in 1950, found in 96% of American residences (just over 40.4 million households). Only 5 million households owned television sets, mostly in urban areas where stations were first built. In fact, the 1950 census reported that only 648,775 rural homes had a TV set.
The census numbers show that radio was still the dominant home media in 1950, found in 96% of American residences (just over 40.4 million households). Only 5 million households owned television sets, mostly in urban areas where stations were first built. In fact, the 1950 census reported that only 648,775 rural homes had a TV set.
Buying a television set was a major investment. Surveying ads in the December 15, 1950 edition of the Boston Globe shows sets ranging in price from $189.95 for a basic tabletop model with a plastic shell to $449.95 for a deluxe 17" screen housed in a fancy wooden cabinet with a radio and a record player. (Adjusted for inflation, those prices range from $2,118 to $5,017). The curious, who might have been introduced to television via a local bar or department store display window, could try a free in-home demonstration, rent a nice set for a dollar per day, or set up a payment plan.
Buying a television set was a major investment. Surveying ads in the December 15, 1950 edition of the Boston Globe shows sets ranging in price from $189.95 for a basic tabletop model with a plastic shell to $449.95 for a deluxe 17" screen housed in a fancy wooden cabinet with a radio and a record player. (Adjusted for inflation, those prices range from $2,118 to $5,017). The curious, who might have been introduced to television via a local bar or department store display window, could try a free in-home demonstration, rent a nice set for a dollar per day, or set up a payment plan.
By 1950, multiple stations were broadcasting the news on television. The major networks believed news would build prestige, increase audiences, and prove that the new medium could offer a public service. Although many radio newscasters and commentators believed television was beneath their dignity, two men emerged as the first major network anchors. First came Douglas Edwards, who CBS launched in a 15-minute weeknight newscast in August 1948 (he stayed on until he was replaced by Walter Cronkite in 1962).
By 1950, multiple stations were broadcasting the news on television. The major networks believed news would build prestige, increase audiences, and prove that the new medium could offer a public service. Although many radio newscasters and commentators believed television was beneath their dignity, two men emerged as the first major network anchors. First came Douglas Edwards, who CBS launched in a 15-minute weeknight newscast in August 1948 (he stayed on until he was replaced by Walter Cronkite in 1962).
Then shortly thereafter, in February 1949, NBC launched the Camel News Caravan, anchored by John Cameron Swayze, who quickly became known both for his catchphrases (“Now let's go hopscotching the world for headlines!") and the flowers he wore on his lapel. While Edwards habitually bobbed his head up and down to read his script in the pre-teleprompter era, Swayze's memorization skills aided his smooth delivery. Network newscasts spread slowly across the country from the East Coast as coaxial cable was laid. By September 1951, the nightly network news could be seen from coast to coast.
Then shortly thereafter, in February 1949, NBC launched the Camel News Caravan, anchored by John Cameron Swayze, who quickly became known both for his catchphrases (“Now let's go hopscotching the world for headlines!") and the flowers he wore on his lapel. While Edwards habitually bobbed his head up and down to read his script in the pre-teleprompter era, Swayze's memorization skills aided his smooth delivery. Network newscasts spread slowly across the country from the East Coast as coaxial cable was laid. By September 1951, the nightly network news could be seen from coast to coast.
Outside of wire stories, newscasts focused on staged events such as beauty contests, dog shows, ribbon cuttings, and sports. Producers assumed that most viewers also read newspapers and were tuning in to see pictures. Those hired to work on these programs felt that TV news could make itself distinctive by blending existing forms of news media with a touch of theatrical showmanship.
Outside of wire stories, newscasts focused on staged events such as beauty contests, dog shows, ribbon cuttings, and sports. Producers assumed that most viewers also read newspapers and were tuning in to see pictures. Those hired to work on these programs felt that TV news could make itself distinctive by blending existing forms of news media with a touch of theatrical showmanship.
Newspapers stood their ground, providing a cheaper, faster, more in-depth news experience. All it cost to access was an average price of 5 cents per copy through the week and, depending how many sections and supplements were included, 10 to 15 cents on Sunday. According to Nieman Reports, the total circulation of the 1,776 daily newspapers surveyed in the United States in 1950 was 53,829,000 copies on weekdays and 46,582,000 on Sundays. In many cities, multiple editions were published each day, especially when major events broke, much like the steady updating of online stories today.
Newspapers stood their ground, providing a cheaper, faster, more in-depth news experience. All it cost to access was an average price of 5 cents per copy through the week and, depending how many sections and supplements were included, 10 to 15 cents on Sunday. According to Nieman Reports, the total circulation of the 1,776 daily newspapers surveyed in the United States in 1950 was 53,829,000 copies on weekdays and 46,582,000 on Sundays. In many cities, multiple editions were published each day, especially when major events broke, much like the steady updating of online stories today.
Editorial pages carried less impact with the public than in the past, especially when it came to the growing complexity of politics and social issues. This mirrored the increasing shift in newspaper ownership to impersonal corporations and away from single proprietors who often used their publications to further their personal beliefs and interests. But, in smaller markets, a direct relationship between readers and the press remained.
Editorial pages carried less impact with the public than in the past, especially when it came to the growing complexity of politics and social issues. This mirrored the increasing shift in newspaper ownership to impersonal corporations and away from single proprietors who often used their publications to further their personal beliefs and interests. But, in smaller markets, a direct relationship between readers and the press remained.
Black-owned newspapers, led by the powerful Chicago Defender, were important to the communities they served, weighing in and influencing both national and local issues that affected Black Americans of the time. By 1940, some 250 Black newspapers were operating in the U.S., from the Cleveland Call and Post in the North which rallied its readership in support of equal rights to the Los Angeles Sentinel in the West to the Norfolk Journal and Guide in the South, which reflected a more conservative editorial approach than its Northern counterparts.
Black-owned newspapers, led by the powerful Chicago Defender, were important to the communities they served, weighing in and influencing both national and local issues that affected Black Americans of the time. By 1940, some 250 Black newspapers were operating in the U.S., from the Cleveland Call and Post in the North which rallied its readership in support of equal rights to the Los Angeles Sentinel in the West to the Norfolk Journal and Guide in the South, which reflected a more conservative editorial approach than its Northern counterparts.
Though newspaper circulation was increasing and would continue to do so until plateauing in the late 1960s, there were signs of trouble by 1950. Expenses ranging from labor contracts to higher newsprint cost were rising faster than profit margins, even with an average ratio of 70% ads, 30% editorial content. The result, from the end of 1948 into 1950, was an average of one daily U.S. newspaper per month either folding or merging with a rival. Among the major casualties in 1950 was the New York Sun, which merged with the World-Telegram four days into the new year. Its demise ended a 117-year-run, best remembered for its “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" editorial published on September 21, 1897. Many major newspapers of 1950 which eventually faded away are available on Newspapers.com™, including the Houston Post, Kansas City Times, Miami News, Nashville Banner, Pittsburgh Press, and St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Though newspaper circulation was increasing and would continue to do so until plateauing in the late 1960s, there were signs of trouble by 1950. Expenses ranging from labor contracts to higher newsprint cost were rising faster than profit margins, even with an average ratio of 70% ads, 30% editorial content. The result, from the end of 1948 into 1950, was an average of one daily U.S. newspaper per month either folding or merging with a rival. Among the major casualties in 1950 was the New York Sun, which merged with the World-Telegram four days into the new year. Its demise ended a 117-year-run, best remembered for its “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" editorial published on September 21, 1897. Many major newspapers of 1950 which eventually faded away are available on Newspapers.com™, including the Houston Post, Kansas City Times, Miami News, Nashville Banner, Pittsburgh Press, and St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Whether they walked out to the porch every morning to grab the local paper or gathered around the TV set to watch the nightly news, your family had a different relationship to their town, state, and country through media than you probably do today. Finding them in the 1950 census can connect you with their local paper on Newspapers.com™ and help you understand more about their day-to-day lives—and how the news helped shape it.
Whether they walked out to the porch every morning to grab the local paper or gathered around the TV set to watch the nightly news, your family had a different relationship to their town, state, and country through media than you probably do today. Finding them in the 1950 census can connect you with their local paper on Newspapers.com™ and help you understand more about their day-to-day lives—and how the news helped shape it.
Start searching the 1950 U.S. Census for free, and see what details you can uncover about your own story.
Start searching the 1950 U.S. Census for free, and see what details you can uncover about your own story.
Sources:
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_newspapers.
“Census of Housing, Summary of Findings.” Census.gov. Accessed March 24, 2022.
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“CPI Inflation Calculator.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed March 24, 2022.
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“Editor & Publisher.” Internet Archive, January 7, 1950.
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“Nieman Reports.” Internet Archive, January 1951.
https://archive.org/details/sim_nieman-reports_1951-01_5_1/mode/2up?view=theater.
“Not Like Greeley: A Strange New Quiet on the Editorial Page.” Internet Archive, 1950.
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Ponce De Leon, Charles L. “That’s the Way It Is: A History of Television News in America.” University of Chicago Press. Accessed March 24, 2022.
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