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Archiver > UPPER-CANADA > 2004-09 > 1094830629


From: "Pat Jeffs" <>
Subject: Early census transcribing, Toronto area
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 16:37:09 +0100


Further to my message of early in the week I have now made up my mind to
continue my transcribing efforts with the 1861 census of York Township. Looking
through the 1851 again, I decided I would like to get to know some of these
people better, rather than meeting a whole lot of new ones in Toronto.

This is the way I look at censuses--they are not just scads of names and ages,
but of families and households living their lives a century and a half ago.

In answer to my earlier question, some people recommended I look at the censuses
available on www.ogs.on.ca/ogspi/welcome.htm and
www.rootsweb.com/~onvsr/census.htm. Neither of these sites contain any 19th
century censuses for Toronto wards. I did not hear if any of them are available
for viewing for a fee. In other words, it would appear they are yet to be
transcribed.

Transcibing is time-consuming, eye-straining, and fatiguing. Sometimes the
spelling or the handwriting of the enumerator can be absolutely frustrating. You
use a lot of paper and pencils (or just computer space if you are fortunate
enough to have a microfilm reader with a decent-sized desk). But you learn so
much about the area you tackle. Anyone interested? I am sure the organizers of
either of the two websites given above would love to hear from you.

/cheers
Pat Jeffs


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