POST 1901 CENSUS PROJECT
Open the door to Canada's Historic Census
TOWN HALL MEETINGS |
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This page contains correspondence from Dana Taylor relating to the Town Hall meeting held at Vancouver. From: "Dana Taylor" To: CensusConsultations@environics.ca Cc: "Gordon A. Watts" Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 12:29 AM Subject: Vancouver Town Hall Attention: Chris Baker Thank you once again for the opportunity to present to tonight's meeting. On my drive home I reflected on what information, not stated, might be useful as an opinion to challenge the 'compromise' option. I have three personal examples of how restricted access to census material could unnecessarily frustrate the research of the average amateur genealogist. Example 1. Alberta 1901 census as interpreted by the "compromise Option": In my examination of this census, armed with birthdates and parents names, and anecdotal info that placed my great-grandparents in that city in 1900, I looked up their whereabouts in the 1901 census. I discovered that the process (ennumerator, record-keeper; transcriber) somehow changed my great-grandmother's name from Roberta to Alberta. If my enquiry had been restricted to Roberta, which would have resulted in a 'no such person' reply - I suspect my search would have been terminated. Because I was able to examine dates and related and complete names to confirm that the online record, if not the original census recorded my relation incorrectly. This search not only confirmed my grandmother's birth but enabled me to confirm the marriage of my GG parents, and the names of my g-grandfather's parents names and residence in Ireland. Example 2: In reviewing Scots Origins online I was able to view census data to determine GGrandfather's place of birth in Caithness Scotland - however details of birth were guestimates only as was actual location. Family anecdotes named John O'Groats but there was no one by that name in that location at the estimated dates. I had three Georges, 3 locations and 3 approximate birthdates. In March 2000 while visiting northern Scotland, I hired Inverness public library genealogist's time to review and compare census data. I provided complete names of my ggrandfather AND his brothers (Branches of direct descendents) AND it was the middle name of a great-uncle that enabled me to positively identify which of the 3 names was my family. From this I was able to visit and photograph gravesites of my 4X GGfather and mother and one son and daughter, in Dunnet Bay Castleton Caithness, Scotland. This would not have been possible had access been restricted to DIRECT descendents. Example 3: Mapping Extended Family - In August of 2001 I attended a family reunion of Barretts in Niagara Falls who were related via my 3X GGrand father from Bristol England. The reunion host was a direct descendent via his 2X GGrandfather - my 3X GGF's brother. This was enabled because the English census was unrestricted and enabled family research down all branches. As a result, through this contact, I have confirmed my ancestry for 16 generations back to 1605. In addition the same contact enabled me to meet and correspond with a more direct relation - a cousin - my great grand mother's sister's grand daughter. These connections enabled this new cousin to converse with my mother one of few people still alive who actually knew her grandmother. Family searches are difficult enough without the impediments of restricted access to census material. I trust these examples are helpful to your understanding of my access interests. Regards Dana Taylor West Vancouver, BC |
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