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From: "Muriel M. Davidson" <>
Subject: 1911 Census -- Column 18 numbers
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 00:37:24 -0400


Here is one occupation for those with knowledge of trades back
in 1911:-

What is a "putter" as in a shoe factory?
Muriel -

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gordon A. Watts" <>
To: <>; Sent: Thursday, September 08,
2005 3:17 PM
Subject: 1911 Census -- Column 18 numbers

Greetings Gordon and All.

I thought that I had posted about this earlier, but there may have been
a problem when sending it from a location away from home.

In any case, I copy here the pertinent information I received from LAC
about the numbers in column 18 of the 1911 Census.

=========================

The numbers in column 18 were entered by the individuals preparing the
census with coding for mechanical tabulation. We will be adding further
information (see draft version below) to our contextual help early in
September.

1911 Census - Column 18

For the first time in 1911, information taken for the census was
compiled by mechanical appliances. Perforated cards were used to record
more accurately information on occupations, using codes. However, it
seems that it was not a great success and the system was changed in
1921.

The use of this code is reflected in column 18. Genealogists will see
numbers separated by hyphens. Example : 6-0-32, 6-6-32 or 6-9-32.

The first part of the code refers to one of the general main divisions
of occupations or industries as follows :

0 All agricultural
1 Building trades
2 Domestic and personal service
3 Civil and municipal government
4 Fishing and hunting
5 Forestry and lumbering
6 Manufactures - mechanical and textiles
7 Manufactures - Food and clothing
8 Mining
9 Professional
10 Trade and Merchandising
11 Transportation

The second part of the code refers to the class of worker

0 Self-employed or owner of the business
6 Receiving wages
9 Employee

The third part of the code refers to the trade. The numbers are from the
"Index to occupations" based on the results of the Fourth census of
Canada (1901). This publication apparently gave a list of the codes;
however, we have been unable to locate this publication..

We have determined that number 32 is a blacksmith and 00 a farmer.

=======================

Subsequent to receiving this information, I have been compiling a list
of occupation codes that I have identified from viewing the 1911 Census
schedules and have identified about 100 occupations so far. There
appear to be classes of occupations as there is occasionally more than
one occupation given for a specific code. I will shortly try to put
this information into a form suitable for downloading and will place a
link to it on the Post 1901 Census project website. As I am able to
identify further occupations I will update the file on the website. I
will be unable to work on this in the coming week so do not look for it
yet. I will post when it has been added to the website.

While LAC identified only three numbers for the second part of the code,
I have so far noted on the schedules, every number between 0 and 9, with
the exception of 1 and 4. These numbers obviously have some further
references to different classes of workers but I have yet to identify
them. Some possibilities would include 'civil servants', 'municipal
worker' etc.

I will be spending some time in the Vancouver Public Library, and the
library of Simon Fraser University, in an effort to find the publication
referred to by my contact in LAC.

The logical explanation for the code 'NG' is 'not given' or 'none
given'. In relation to column 18 this notation is most often shown for
children under the age of 10, or wives of the head of household, who are
shown as students or not employed. It does occasionally show up in
other columns where other information under the general heading would
indicate that the column in which 'NG' appears is not applicable to the
individual being looked at.

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



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