After 72 years, we will finally see the 1940 federal census for the United States on April 2, 2012.  Unlike other census years, this census will not be on microfilm.  For the first time, the census has been digitized, and will appear on the NARA website, available free to all.  Unfortunately, there will not be a name index.  Until such indexes are created, one must know the Enumeration District, then search through that district for the names.

Mar 2011.  This new search engine is designed specifically for searching free genealogy sites, including, according to their web page "genealogy message boards, family trees, state and local historical societies, the Library of Congress, National Archives, Ellis Island, Find A Grave, the Internet Archive, various U.S. state archives, and many tens of thousands of genealogy sites built by individuals".  Sounds like a great new resource to try, here's the link:

The Birmingham-Jefferson History Museum is now located in downtown Birmingham, in the Young & Vann Building.  More specifically it is at 1731 First Avenue North, across the street from Birmingham Police Headquarters.  There is plenty of parking in a lot on the west side of the building. It is a work in progress, and it will take time to set up artifacts and displays.