Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2003 00:59:15 -0300 From: "James P. Barnaby" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Article on the release of the Canadian Census July 4th, 2003 The following article by myself was kindly printed by The Chronicle Herald dated July 4th, 2003. Apparently, many were not able to access it on line via the Chronicle Herald so I am posting here. The only change was the heading...to CENSUS: CANADIANS HAVE RIGHT TO KNOW OUR HISTORY. I appreciate The Chronicle Herald for carrying this article. We all can do our share to see that the Census are released without any of the amendments which the Bill in the House of Commons is trying to attach. I have not seen it posted to any of the genealogy lists and I hope the LeLand will permit it to be done so here. I feel it is not an off topic as the census, as well all know, are a vital part of genealogy research and I hope will encourage others to also voice their support for the release of the over-due 1911 census and protection of future ones. James P. Barnaby email [email protected] THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CANADIAN CENSUS Recently an interview was held on ATV -Live At Five by Starr Dobson with a gentleman who was retracing his ancestors through his genealogy research. He like others are aware of the importance of the Canadian Census in carrying out this research. The Canadian Census is released to the National Archives of Canada and then opened to the public after a 92 year waiting period. The 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 census followed these guide lines without any problem. It was only through pressure from the Canadian Census Committee that the vastly important 1906 census was released this year in spite of Statistics Canada attempts to keep it closed. This 1906 census was a special one taken due to the great influx of people to the west and it of major importance for those who arrived in Canada during that time in tracing their ancestors. There is at present a bill in the House of Commons that will add amendments that are not necessary for any privacy issues but will make it very difficult for individuals to carry on research on their ancestors and thus effecting the 1911 census, which was due to be released in June of 2003, and the release of future census. The USA census is released after a 75 year waiting period and in Great Britain it is after a 100 year period. If these bastions of individual rights and privacy have no problem in releasing their census why is it that Statistics Canada finds it necessary to think for us and say that we have to be protected from a system that worked quite well for the past 200 years. There are some in both the Senate and the House of Commons who would like to see the census closed to the public completely . The Canadian Census is the only time when average, everyday Canadians are noted as a vital part of Canada's past and present by NAME. All our families have contributed to this great country and we should be permitted to take our place in the history of Canada even only by name in a census. Also, the Census are vital in understanding the growth and population distribution of Canada over the past 92 years. Historians will not have a clear understanding of our past and how it effected our present and our future without access to the Canadian Census. The Canadian Census are a historical document and as Canadians we have the right to know about our history and not have it hidden away in some vault of worst to be destroyed all together as some in power at Statistics Canada would like to see. We are Canada not the Members of Parliament or the Senators. They are simply elected or appointed to do what WE want and not what they think is best for us treating us like children. The 92 year waiting period worked just fine and I see no reason why it needed change. James P.Barnaby

James Barnaby is to be commended for composing and and being successful in having his letter to the editor printed in the Chronicle Herald. I would like to see more letters from CCC listers posted to the list, whether or not they are successful in being published. Posting such letters may give other listers ideas for letters of their own and they may be successful in getting them published. The more letters sent to editors, the greater the likelyhood of having them published thus publicising what we are trying to accomplish re: access to Census records. We need all the help we can get. Don't depend on others to accomplish what you want to see happen -- chances are they are depending on you -- and so nothing will be done. Happy Hunting. Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leland Harvie" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2003 5:32 AM Subject: [CCC] Article on the release of the Canadian Census July 4th, 2003 Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2003 00:59:15 -0300 From: "James P. Barnaby" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Article on the release of the Canadian Census July 4th, 2003 The following article by myself was kindly printed by The Chronicle Herald dated July 4th, 2003. Apparently, many were not able to access it on line via the Chronicle Herald so I am posting here. The only change was the heading...to CENSUS: CANADIANS HAVE RIGHT TO KNOW OUR HISTORY. I appreciate The Chronicle Herald for carrying this article. We all can do our share to see that the Census are released without any of the amendments which the Bill in the House of Commons is trying to attach. I have not seen it posted to any of the genealogy lists and I hope the LeLand will permit it to be done so here. I feel it is not an off topic as the census, as well all know, are a vital part of genealogy research and I hope will encourage others to also voice their support for the release of the over-due 1911 census and protection of future ones. James P. Barnaby email [email protected] THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CANADIAN CENSUS Recently an interview was held on ATV -Live At Five by Starr Dobson with a gentleman who was retracing his ancestors through his genealogy research. He like others are aware of the importance of the Canadian Census in carrying out this research. The Canadian Census is released to the National Archives of Canada and then opened to the public after a 92 year waiting period. The 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 census followed these guide lines without any problem. It was only through pressure from the Canadian Census Committee that the vastly important 1906 census was released this year in spite of Statistics Canada attempts to keep it closed. This 1906 census was a special one taken due to the great influx of people to the west and it of major importance for those who arrived in Canada during that time in tracing their ancestors. There is at present a bill in the House of Commons that will add amendments that are not necessary for any privacy issues but will make it very difficult for individuals to carry on research on their ancestors and thus effecting the 1911 census, which was due to be released in June of 2003, and the release of future census. The USA census is released after a 75 year waiting period and in Great Britain it is after a 100 year period. If these bastions of individual rights and privacy have no problem in releasing their census why is it that Statistics Canada finds it necessary to think for us and say that we have to be protected from a system that worked quite well for the past 200 years. There are some in both the Senate and the House of Commons who would like to see the census closed to the public completely . The Canadian Census is the only time when average, everyday Canadians are noted as a vital part of Canada's past and present by NAME. All our families have contributed to this great country and we should be permitted to take our place in the history of Canada even only by name in a census. Also, the Census are vital in understanding the growth and population distribution of Canada over the past 92 years. Historians will not have a clear understanding of our past and how it effected our present and our future without access to the Canadian Census. The Canadian Census are a historical document and as Canadians we have the right to know about our history and not have it hidden away in some vault of worst to be destroyed all together as some in power at Statistics Canada would like to see. We are Canada not the Members of Parliament or the Senators. They are simply elected or appointed to do what WE want and not what they think is best for us treating us like children. The 92 year waiting period worked just fine and I see no reason why it needed change. James P.Barnaby ==== CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN Mailing List ==== How to unsubscribe from Mail Mode. Send a message to [email protected] that contains (in the Subject line and body of the message) the command -- unsubscribe -- and no additional text.