January 4, 2002 Making sense of the census

One hundred years ago this week the 1901 Canadian census was completed. It is the last one available for public use at this time.  There are less detailed censuses starting in 1851 and continuing each ten years to 1901 that are available to the public as well.  

There is currently a real fight going on between the protection of privacy lobby versus the access to information lobby over the 1911 census and other censuses. 

The censuses are an invaluable resource to genealogists and historians, providing a variety of information on the past.  

Nipissing District Census 

The recently relocated room is now called the Joan Duquette Room, after the outstanding local genealogist who died this year.  Membership is available at the branch for $10, but you have to join the OGS first which will cost you $45. 

Information on the census and other items of interest is also available on the branch web site at www.onlink.net/~twc/nipogs.htm.  The Ontario Genealogical web site is www.ogs.on.ca.  

It has information on membership and past censuses.  

You do not have to be a member to get help from the branch.  Membership does give you some advantages, including monthly meetings and an excellent monthly newsletter, The Nipissing Voyageur.  

The Joan Duquette Room is open to everyone Tuesday to Saturday, from 12:30 to 3:30.  For phone contact during those hours you can call the library at 474-8430 and ask for the Joan Duquette Room.  Volunteers are readily available to help.  
 

The Joan Duquette Resource Room at the Nipissing Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society at the North Bay Library (Maureen McCann is the volunteer assistant shown in one of the pictures).  Photo by Doug Mackey.

There are genealogical groups in the Almaguin and Temiscaming areas, and there is a contact in Mattawa.  Contact the branch for information.  

By the way, anyone can have access to the incredible database of the Latter Day Saints Church at their computer centre in North Bay.  Call Arlene Noble at 494-8144 for information or an appointment.  

The Nipissing Branch has completed a five year transcription project where the censuses of the 133 townships in the district in 1901 have been transcribed, alphabetized and computerized for public use.  

You can access your 1901 family information, or look at a whole township and learn numerous facts about each individual, including date of birth, marital status, children, profession, etc.  

For a small fee you can get a copy.  Each township census is introduced with a several page detailed explanation that helps make sense of the census you are looking at.  

Parry Sound District Census 

As mentioned the census information is of interest when trying to get a perspective on a whole township or area.  I found a review of Chisholm Township, where I live, quite fascinating.  For example, in 1901, there were 1103 residents as compared to 1189 today.  In 1901 there were 148 residences, as compared to 440 today. That roughly works out to about 7.5 people per household in 1901, as compared to 2.7 in 2001.  

Nipissing East Community Opportunities have produced a demographic study of the township as recorded in the 1991 and 1996 censuses.  In 1901 most men were listed as farmers.  In 1991, 8.8% were farmers and in 1996 the number was 4.1%.  It is also interesting to note that in 1901 there were only twelve people in the township that were 65 years of age or older, when in 1991 there were ninety-nine, and 113 in 1996.  

The 1901 Chisholm census lists five teachers as lodgers in the community.  

A check of the schools mentioned in the Chisholm History Book, Vol. 1 shows that Joe Dube was the teacher at the separate school at Saint Jean’s corner on River Road, and that Julia Robichaud was the teacher at the separate school in Chiswick.  

Emma Springer was at Public School #4, with Levina Rowatt at School #2 on Wasing Road.  Seventeen year old Blanche Trudhope was at #5 School on Maple Road.  There are photos of Miss Rowatt and Miss Trudehope’s classes in front of their schools in the history book.  

Number 5 school, abandoned in the 1950s, is still in use as an implement shed just down the road from where I live.  

The 1901 photo opposite shows some of the students at #5 school dressed for the photo opportunity, but some were without shoes.  
 

Photo of Chisholm School on Maple Road 100 years ago. (Chisholm Women’s Institute History Book, Volume 1.)

The 1911 Census 

With a little help and patience, you can make sense of the censuses and advance your family history.