To all:- A CENSUS STORY I have always been interested in history, aided by my grandfather and his copies of answers to census questions from 1901 to 1921. This old cheap scribbler is full of notes, written first by my paternal grandmother, later by Grandpa Farquhar! My mother started keeping a record of her replies with the 1926 census, many changes over the years, and her last recording was 1981. Possibly I have more complete records than we will ever see on released census records. My family research started about 1975, much was learned, until Allan Dunlop, formerly of PANS, told me of the coming problem re 1911 census. This was back in late 1980s, and like others, we worked alone, writing to this one and that one, but seemingly getting nowhere. During the years my work had centered around newspapers, with my last job as women's editor of the weekly newspaper, after being proofreader of a daily for some time. In March, 1999 I received a phone call from a friend whom you all know by now -- I was asked if I would like to take part in a "great venture" that would involve all from coast to coast. Sounded interesting!!! At that time, although living in Ontario, I only belonged to two lists, NOVA-SCOTIA and LUNEN-LINKS, due to my Nova Scotian research. A chat with Gail Facini Edwards, thinking about the amount of work for a couple days, then I posted two messages, one to each list. GORDON WATTS was the first to answer -- others have joined the Canada Census Committee, a volunteer group. Latest newcomers have been Don Tate from Newfoundland-Labrador (although he lives in Florida), Marcel Mason in Iqaluit, Nunavut and Garth Ulrich in charge of Saskatchewan. The committee members do not know each other, except by phone or e-mail, have become friends by working for a common goal. Two lists? The total is now about 30, plus lists to which Gordon belongs. We have come a long way since March, 1999 -- but we need to keep the PRESSURE on. Just because there was an election is no reason to slack off, NOW is when we need to get after the politicians. Thanks have been coming to Gordon Watts and to myself -- but YOU are to be thanked -- every reader!!!! Every letter writer!!! Yes, the phone call was from Senator Lorna Milne -- her Private Member's Bill is "ready to roll", the former number of S-15 removed -- the same will be done with Murray Calder's Bill C-484 -- NEW NUMBERS. Census is genealogy and history, but because Parliamentary bills have had to be necessary, some listowners prefer census news not to be posted in one province, and language difficulties in another, adding to the question "What can we do?" Lorna's husband, Ross Milne, has promised a huge barbeque for all the committee members -- in their Brampton backyard -- we look forward to enjoying it -- with YOUR help!!! Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> Canada Census Committee Brampton, Ontario