To all -- We all have newspapers -- very often our neighbourhood ones are the best as things get overlooked in large papers. This is an approved copy of one I had posted in my local paper. Note the way I have set it up re address of editor and YOUR address - contact name and phone are important to verify the letter is not SPAM (it also happens in newspapers). You may do a re-write, as long as you have the basic information, and be prepared, some editors may also change things -- but I doubt if the numbers will be changed. Lets have a Letter Writing Bee - may be delivered -- to newspapers across Canada. [Many people do not have computers] Leave the spaces as below -- the editor will squish them together! Muriel M. Davidson, Co-chair, Canada Census Committee Former Women's Editor of The Brampton Guardian **************************************************** ----- Original Message ----- From: "muriel m davidson" <muriel_davidson@sympatico.ca> To: "Roger Belgrave" <rbelgrave@thebramptonguardian.com> Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 10:24 PM Subject: Letter/Copy Re 2006 Personal Data Census Question To Roger Belgrave:- Letter to the Editor Submitted by Muriel M. Davidson Phone 905-451-3542 25 Crestview Avenue Brampton, ON, L6W 2R8 Further information available, Roger. ------------------------------------------- Genealogists and family historians view the 2006 census results with saddened hearts. Only 55 percent of the 31.6 million people counted answered "YES" to releasing their census information in 92 years. This means that 45% of those searching ancestors in 2098 will be unable to locate earlier family members. Some may not be aware of the seriousness of this question and its impact on future generations. The privacy of personal information is paramount in today's society. >From the perspective of family history, however, the privacy laws risks sealing records that are key sources in tracing a family tree. Most of us will have passed on in 92 years. By then, four generations could have come along and produced the next family historian seeking information. Where will that genealogist go for information on grandparents or great-grandparents? Genealogists turn to such records as the census in hopes of finding information. Their glimmer of hope will soon fade to disappointment and heartache if their ancestors have refused to release personal census information. Those who answer "NO" must have a reason, but is it one that your great-grandchild might accept in 92 years? Those who didn't bother to answer YES or NO to the census question are letting someone else decide for them. For a genealogist, the issue is not what answers were given on the census, but that in 92 years there's proof that you existed. The data provides a better understanding of who you were and where you lived. There is still a chance to change your answer to a "YES". The question in English can be found on the Statistics Canada website at http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/reference/info/personal.cfm To view it in French, click on the Francais link in the top left corner of the link bar at the top of the page. The page is filled with much census information, and at the right, third section down, is how to obtain form to change your NO or BLANK to YES -- it would be nice to increase the percentage to 100%. Muriel M. Davidson muriel_davidson@sympatico.ca Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee, Brampton, ON