Progress: April 5, 2011

I recently stumbled upon the Automated Genealogy site, which provides images of the original census pages that were digitized by Library and Archives Canada. This simple and accessible interface supports an incredible volunteer effort. It is both a collaborative database and a transcribing project:

Over the last several years Library and Archives Canada has digitized their microfilms of the original census forms for several of the Canadian censuses and Automated Genealogy has organized volunteers to produce indices to the people enumerated in these censuses. Each project uses simple web forms to allow volunteers to transcribe census data from the images into a database, with the entered data being immediately available on the site. Following transcription further volunteers proofread and make corrections. Anyone with an internet connection can participate as a transcriber, proofreader, or just by submitting corrections as they use the site. — Automated Genealogy

The status of the 1911 census is noted as follows: “Transcription is now complete, proofreading is in progress.”

Years ago, when researching the Angerbauer family name, I had come across the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Fifth census of Canada (1911) for the Bruce North District in Lower Kincardine, Ontario. I had found a database entry for Mary Angerbauer (b. Oct. 1871) and her five daughters: Francis (b. Oct. 1891), Ruth (b. March 1898), Muriel (b. Dec. 1903), Cathernene (b. Sept. 1904) & Kenennena (b. Nov. 1910). To my delight, I found the Angerbauer clan again in Automated Genealogy.

I pored over each inch of the census sheet, trying to decipher the writing. At 39 years of age, Mary Angerbauer is listed with her daughters Francis (19 years), Ruth (14 years), Muriel (8 years), Cathernene (6 years) and Kenennena (7 months old). The family is of Presbyterian faith and the “Language commonly spoken” is English. All the children can read and write, safe for the youngest. Mary’s “Place of habitation” is Huron Terrace and she has no “Chief occupation or trade”. That is, she did not live on an independent income. According to the Library and Archives Canada site:

Women who performed housework in their own homes, without earning a salary or wages, and who were not employed outside the home, were to have "none" entered under "Chief Occupation or Trade". — Library and Archives Canada

At first I was puzzled by Column #1, which indicates the “Country or place of birth” because it was filled with what I thought were zeroes. The LAC site provided me with the missing information: “Those born in Canada were to be denoted by the proper abbreviation for the province or territory of their birth.” Therefore, the Angerbauer family was born in Ontario. An interesting detail: one could be listed as “born at sea” — an in-between state…

Mary Angerbauer is listed as married, yet there is no listing of the “head of the family”? Neither does it indicate that she is widowed. While the Angerbauer name is of German or Austrian origin, her “Racial or tribal origin” is said to be of Scotch ethnicity while her nationality is listed as Canadian. Perhaps her husband worked in another province at that time? Again, the LAC site helped interpret the data: it notes that transient workers such as members of railroad, construction or mining camps were to be enumerated where found.

The last few columns have no entries. The census sheet ends at column 39. Columns 38 – 41 were reserved for “Infirmities” according to Library and Archives Canada: Blind (38), Deaf and Dumb (39), Crazy or Lunatic (40) and Idiotic or Silly (41).

A simple sheet of paper, and yet the details surrounding “Dwelling House 20” — the Angerbauer household — raises as many questions as it provides answers. It is another census five years later that completes the picture: the 1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Not surprising as Canada's history is in fact a story of migration.

I was actually in Winnipeg not long ago, visiting a friend. We had gone out for lunch in the North End to the famed Alycia’s Restaurant for some hearty Ukrainian fare. We ventured into the cold afterward to try and burn the calories: a blustery walk across the Red River to Glenelm. This neighbourhood was once known for its large congregation of Eastern-European immigrants, due in part to William Hespeler’s (1830-1921) efforts to promote Mennonite settlement in Western Canada.

What I find intriguing about the two documents are the many disparities in the data collected between a five-year period. Perhaps the erroneous information was simply linked to a poor transcription in the earlier census? Yet, realistically, either of the censuses could potentially contain spelling mistakes due to the simple fact of human error. Also, a name change is sometimes an effort to simplify the spelling of a name to ensure a more seamless integration in a new environment. Was the name change from Angerbauer to Angerbaur then a data entry error or a conscious choice?

Three of the daughters’ names are also different in the latter census: Francis becomes Frances, Kenennena is renamed Kerrena and Cathernene is spelled as Catherine. Birth dates also fluctuate: Mary’s birth date changes from 1871 to 1869, Muriel’s birth date is listed as a year earlier and Catherine’s birth date is listed as 1905 instead of 1904. There is an addition to the Angerbauer household: John Angerbaur (b. 1866).

I will plan a visit to Ottawa in the coming months as the 1916 Census has not yet been digitized. It is in microfilm reel format at Library and Archives Canada.