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From: "Muriel M. Davidson" <>
Subject: 1911 Census -- transcribing or indexing records
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2005 01:24:53 -0400


To all:-
I have not encouraged people to duplicate census work,
but instead many are asking WHERE should finished
transcription be sent. I would like answers from all
provinces -- then will post the same.

Muriel M. Davidson
Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee
Brampton, ON
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gordon A. Watts" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005 9:18 PM
Subject: 1911 Census -- transcribing or indexing records


Greetings All.

On the various mail lists the past while there has been considerable
discussion regarding indexing and/or transcribing of Census records -- in
particular at this time those of the 1911 Census of Canada. It would seem
that some feel that there is only one correct way to transcribe or index
these valuable records, and that their way, or the way of their particular
group or organization, is the only way it should be done. As genealogical
researchers the last thing we need or want to see develop is an antagonistic
confrontation over this. There is no one single correct way to do it.
There are as many correct ways to do it as there are opinions out there.

For any given subject, there are many different ways of doing things and,
from the point of view of every individual, each of those different ways has
their own benefits and detractions. Do a websearch of any subject. Can you
name any subject that will result in only a single response to that search?
I think it unlikely! The same would apply to a search for Census or Census
Indexing or Transcription.

The Alberta Family History Society and the Alberta Genealogical Society are
to be commended for their efforts in transcribing and/or indexing the 1901
and 1906 Censuses for Alberta, and for the 1911 projects they have now
initiated. Likewise, the Ontario Genealogical Society, and every other
group who has had volunteers doing similar projects are worthy of
commendation.

In my view the various groups and organizations who have done, and are
currently doing, indexing and/or transcriptions of Census records are not in
competition with each other. The work of one group will frequently
complement the work of another. What others may view as a duplication of
effort I view as a means of multiple cross-checking to ensure the greatest
possibility of a researcher finding the ancestors they are seeking in
Census. The more sources there are on the Internet for this information,
the greater the chance of that happening. There is room for everyone out
there.

Many researchers have confused the terms "transcribing" and "transcriptions"
with "indexes" and "indexing". The impression I have is that many believe
they are one and the same. Such is not the case.

By definition, a "transcription" is a verbatim copy of all information
contained in an original document. An "index", on the other hand, is an
extract of partial information from an original document, presented in such
a way as to identify and point the way to where the original document might
be found. Each has their own specific purpose. I believe that in doing our
research there is need, and room, for both.

Many different groups have volunteers indexing or transcribing Census
records for their own particular area of interest. Some are doing their own
town, city, area or municipality. Others are doing it for an entire
Province. To my knowledge, Automated Genealogy is the only place that
indexing is likely to take place for the entire Census of Canada. In
volunteering to do transcribing or indexing, regardless of which group or
organization you volunteer to work with, your work will be both appreciated
and worthwhile.

Enjoy the Census!

Gordon A. Watts
Co-chair, Canada Census Committee
Port Coquitlam, BC

http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census
en francais http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm

Permission to forward without notice is granted


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian Holmes" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 10:13 PM
Subject: 1901 and 1906 Census Finding Aids

Muriel,

Please be advised that AFHS comments refer to the 1906 census. AFHS (the
Alberta Family Histories Society) has sponsored an effort to TRANSCRIBE the
1906 census for the prairie provinces and have reported their progress in a
recent message to this forum.

In an earlier effort the AGS (the Alberta Genealogical Society) volunteers
did a very comprehensive job of INDEXING the 1901 census for that area of
the Territories which became the prairie provinces in 1905. This work
preceded the work of Automated Genealogy in this area and included
extensive
proof reading and cross checking of dubious data against other sources.

The results of the AGS work are available free on the Internet at:

http://www.agsedm.edmonton.ab.ca/1901census/

I think you will find both the information and the search engine used to
find names is as good as any available elsewhere.

Isn't it quite unnecessary to encourage volunteers to duplicate work done
so
thoroughly by others?

Ian Holmes




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