The following is a light-hearted, but very useful, example of why census data is not always as perfect as we might expect it to be. Always try various spellings of the surname you are researching in any census.
These additional links will provide access to ancillary info to assist your census research.
Census Tips
* Census Overview (Canadian Genealogy Centre)
* Canadian Census and Statistics Legislation from 1870 (Post-1901 Census Project)
* Canadian Census Questions Since Confederation (University of Toronto Library)
* Differences between New Brunswick & Canadian Censuses: 1851 & 1861 (History of NB)
* How Canadian National Censuses Are Organized: 1871-1901 (FamilySearch)
* Instructions to Officers and Enumerators of Census in Canada: 1871-1941 (Post-1901 Census Project)
* Introduction - Census Data Information (Charlotte Taylor: Her Life & Times)
Dates & Places
* Calendar
Displays a monthly calendar for any year from 1582 to 3000. Useful for defining the `day of week` for any event where the date is known.
* Date of Birth Calculator (ProGenealogists)
Calculates birth from date & age at that date. Used mainly for death dates but if enumeration date is known for the census, this date could replace death date with same results.
* Date of Parish Formations (NB Past)
List of all New Brunswick Parishes, grouped by County, showing creation & any further disection dates for each Parish.
* Post Offices and Postmasters (Canadian Genealogy Centre)
Searchable database of post office & post master info. For census research, this database is useful for locating the federal electoral district of a specific place, as long as that place had a post office... most communities did. Enter the place name in the `Office Name` field &, if there was a post office there, it will indicate the federal electoral district. This usually corresponds to the county & census districts.
Mail Lists, Message Boards & eGroups
* New Brunswick Mail List
This is quite simply "The List" for researching New Brunswick with over 1000 extremely helpful New Brunswick researchers subscribed. For Census info, access the NB List Archives & enter `CENSUS` for search criteria. This will bring up hundreds of email pertaining to census info. For more specific searches include a second search criteria, such as `1901` or `INDEX`.
* Canada Census Mail List
Discussing and sharing of information regarding Canadian census records (Federal, Provincial and local) from all periods.
* Canada Census 1901 Mail List
Discussing and sharing of information regarding the 1901 Canada Census database.
* Canada Census Campaign Mail List
Discussing efforts to have post-1901 Census information in Canada released to the Public. This list will NOT be used for Census lookups or related inquiries.
* Canada Census Message Boards: General || 1851 || 1861 || 1871 || 1881 || 1891 || 1901 || 1911
For general queries & those specific to 1851-1911 Canadian census. If posting queries for 1851/1861 census, make sure to include the province as the first `national` census was in 1871. Prior to this, all census were conducted seperately by each individual province.
Terminology
* Census Abbreviations (Canadian Genealogy Centre)
List of abbreviations used in various census.
* Census Religious Abbreviations (NB GenWeb)
List of abbreviations used to represent religion in 1871 census. Many of the same abbreviations were used in other census as well.
* Census Terms (AllCensusRecords)
List of terms & abbreviations used on Canadian census.
* Old Medical Terms (Sunbury County GenWeb)
List of old medical terms & their present-day equivilent.
* Old Occupations (Kent County GenWeb)
List of old professions & their present-day equivilent.
THE CENSUS TAKER
It was the first day of census, and all through the land;
The pollster was ready ... a black book in hand.
He mounted his horse for a long dusty ride;
His book and some quills were tucked close by his side.
A long winding ride down a road barely there;
Toward the smell of fresh bread wafting, up through the air.
The woman was tired, with lines on her face;
And wisps of brown hair she tucked back into place.
She gave him some water ... as they sat at the table;
And she answered his questions ... the best she was able.
He asked of her children... Yes, she had quite a few;
The oldest was twenty, the youngest not two.
She held up a toddler with cheeks round and red;
His sister, she whispered, was napping in bed.
She noted each person who lived there with pride;
And she felt the faint stirrings of the wee one inside.
He noted the sex, the color, the age...
The marks from the quill soon filled up the page.
At the number of children, she nodded her head;
And saw her lips quiver for the three that were dead.
The places of birth she "never forgot";
Was it Alberta? or Quebec? or Newfoundland ... or not?
They came from Scotland, of that she was clear;
But she wasn't quite sure just how long they'd been here.
They spoke of employment, of schooling and such;
They could read some and write some .. though really not much.
When the questions were answered, his job there was done;
So he mounted his horse and he rode toward the sun.
We can almost imagine his voice loud and clear;
"May God bless you all for another ten years."
Now picture a time warp ... its' now you and me;
As we search for the people on our family tree.
We squint at the census and scroll down so slow;
As we search for that entry from long, long ago.
Could they only imagine on that long ago day;
That the entries they made would effect us this way?
If they knew, would they wonder at the yearning we feel;
And the searching that makes them so increasingly real.
We can hear if we listen the words they impart;
Through their blood in our veins and their voice in our heart.
Author Unknown