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Archiver > QC-ETANGLO > 2002-03 > 1016890740


From: "Regi Milan" <>
Subject: Re: [QC-ETANGLO] 1881 Canadian census Errors
Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2002 06:39:29 -0700


Thanks to Leslie for this insight. We must also remember, however, that the
indexed material is not only a matter of interpretation on the part of the
transcriber, but also the individual taking the census record to begin with.
While errors can be made in interpreting the handwriting of these wonderful
documents, it is also true that they have been interpreted correctly and the
information itself was incorrect to begin with. Both of these types of
errors are probably more common among census records than any other types.

Another example of town name translation errors is Potton Twp. The LDS
Church -- and other historical collectors -- have often noted this as Potten
or Podden. In this case, they are noting what was actually written. I have
seen copies of original files with the town name spelled all three ways.

One example of surname error is the Bowen family. Often, they are noted in
records as Bourne as well as Bowen. For the census taker, this was a matter
of need to interpret spelling based on phonics. Given that many did not
know how to read and write -- or spell their own names -- it was up to the
recorder to make that determination. One must not discount the possibility
that just because the name is not consistently found spelled exactly the
same in every record, that such persons are not of that family. A great
deal of leeway should be used when researching data from the past.

Thanks again Leslie for bringing this matter to light.

___________________________________________________________________________
REGI MILAN
Orem, Utah

My genealogy can be viewed on Rootsweb.com's World Connect Project at:
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=rmilan

"There are only two lasting bequests we can leave our childrenĀŠ
One of these is roots; The other, wings."
--Hodding CarterĀ  1907-1972


----------
>From: Leslie Nutbrown <>
>To:
>Subject: [QC-ETANGLO] 1881 Canadian census
>Date: Sat, Mar 23, 2002, 6:20 AM
>

> Be forewarned that the 1881 census cds produced by the Mormons
> (familysearch.org) contain many errors. Orford as Oxford has already
> been noted. The cd's are easy to use and are a good tool for
> genealogists but watch out for misspellings and transcribing errors. For
> example, I found a relative whose name was Elizabeth Nutbrown, aka
> Lizzie whose name is recorded on the cd as Lazy Nutbrown. This is
> unfortunate and could perpetuate erroneous family information. Care is
> needed when using the cd's. I found quite a few other spelling errors as
> well in just a brief search.
>
> Leslie Nutbrown
> Lennoxville, QC
>
>
>
> ==============================
> To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go
to:
> http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237
>
>

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