Greetings All. The following message is, for the most part, self-explanatory. A brief cruise through the information it directs us to would make it appear that genealogy and family history has been overlooked as part of our 'heritage'. The electronic survey may give us the opportunity to make the bureaucrats aware that we feel genealogy and family history to be a very important part of our 'heritage'. I for one intend to study the information to which this posting refers and to complete the survey. I intend to make full use of the 'Comments' section to reiterate that Heritage Minister Sheila Copps has publicly voiced her support for public access to Historic Census records. I will also make the point that we feel that Ms. Copps and her Ministry should make every effort to further efforts to achieve that goal. I encourage all to take full advantage of this opportunity. Happy Hunting. Gordon A. Watts [email protected] Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en français http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm Permission to forward without notice is granted. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob Fisher" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 12, 2001 11:49 AM Subject: [NB-L] Dept. of Canadian Heritage consultation This public consultation on heritage policy by the Department of Canadian Heritage was posted on the archival mailing list. The genealogical community should also take advantage of this opportunity to tell the federal government what it would like to see done in the future. Pass this to other genealogical lists if you like. Discussion paper: http://www.pch.gc.ca/consultations2001/pubs/english.htm Welcome to the electronic consultation on heritage. As part of a "Dialogue with Canadians", the Department of Canadian Heritage is consulting with Canadians and heritage communities. This "dialogue" aims at contributing, on a long term basis, to the development of new directions for federal heritage policy in Canada. The main goal of the electronic consultation is to allow for the largest number of citizens and interested organisations to submit their comments. How to participate in the e-consultation? It is suggested that you read the document Canadians and their Heritage: Some Trends, Issues and Ideas before responding to the questions. You are also invited to submit comments on any other aspect of heritage that is of interest to you. Your contribution will enrich the ongoing dialogue. The e-consultation will end on November 30, 2001. There are two sections to this questionaire: the first is for your identification, and the second is for your answers or comments to the questions. If you have questions or if you wish to obtain additional information regarding the consultation, you can communicate with: [email protected] Tel: 819-997-8112 or Tel: 819-997-7706 Fax: 819-997-8533 Questionaire http://www.pch.gc.ca/consultations2001/comments.htm This questionaire is also available in the following two formats: a.. On-line Version b.. PDF Version c.. HTML Version Each generation passes something of its experience on to those who follow. A culture lives and is enlivened by those who experience it as well as by those whose lives help shape it." A Sense of Place - A Sense of Being: The Evolving Role of the Federal Government in Support of Culture in Canada. Ninth Report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, June 1999. http://www.parl.gc.ca/InfoComDoc/36/1/CHER/Studies/Reports/cherrp09-e.ht m --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.295 / Virus Database: 159 - Release Date: 11/1/2001 ==== NewBrunswick Mailing List ==== Tip of the Week To Search the NB-List Archives visit: http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=NewBrunswick To Browse the Nb-List Archives visit: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/newbrunswick

Greg get in touch with [email protected] Trip to Fulton Co. Il was a success. I have pictures for you-Virginia

I'm afraid I'm still at the starting gate of my Watts line. Hoping someone out there might hold the key. My line is through William WATTS b.1844 in Ala. and m to Mary CRABTREE in 1870 in Madison Co.Ala. Been working on the rumor that his parents might be John Watts and Margaret SANT. After that I'm lost like a babe in the woods. I also have not been able to uncover anything on Mary Crabtree as well. Thanks everyone for any help on this line. kim

Greetings All. Files have just been sent for updating the MP and Senator Scoreboards on the Post 1901 Census Project Website. For those keeping their own score, Gold Ticks of support have been awarded to MPs Sheila Copps - ON, Geoff Regan - NS, Roger Cuzner - NS, and Gar Knutson - ON. Senator Gerald Comeau - NS is awarded a Red X of opposition. Totals for the House of Commons currently stand at FOR 135 AGAINST 9 Non-Committal 64 No Response 93 Totals for the Senate are FOR 18 AGAINST 3 Non-Committal 11 No Response 64 Keep the letters going in, and please forward any replies you might receive, particularly if it will change the position shown on the Scoreboard. Happy Haunting. Gordon A. Watts [email protected] Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en français http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm

Greetings All I copy below for your information a Press Release from Senator Lorna Milne regarding access to Post 1901 Census. The information contained therein, depending on the reaction of Statistics Canada, could forstall our preparations to proceed to the Federal Courts for a Writ of Mandamus for release of the records. Time will tell. Happy Haunting. <]:-) Gordon A. Watts [email protected] Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en francais http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm Permission to forward without notice is granted. ================================ Senator Lorna Milne demands that Statistics Canada stop breaking the law FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - OTTAWA - October 29, 2001 Today, the Hon. Lorna Milne demanded that Statistics Canada stop breaking the law and allow the release of post 1901 census records to the National Archives of Canada. "It is now clear that Statistics Canada has a legal duty to release post 1901 census records, and they have repeatedly refused to do so", Senator Milne asserted. "They can no longer claim any legitimate reason to avoid this duty. This vital record of Canada's history and people must be released into the keeping of the National Archivist of Canada immediately". Senator Milne was reacting to the release of 10 legal opinions that Statistics Canada has received over the last 20 years on the issue of the release of post 1901 census information. The documents were obtained by the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. The committee is currently studying Bill S-12, Senator Milne's Private Senator's Bill that would allow for the release of census information 92 years after the date of the census. "The latest legal opinion unequivocally states that the better legal view is that post 1901 census records should be released." she noted. "Furthermore, the current Chief Statistician, Dr. Ivan Fellegi, was told as long ago as 1981 that, in order to comply with both the spirit and the letter of privacy and access to information legislation, Statistics Canada would have to release post 1901 census information". Senator Milne has received petitions from nearly 20,000 Canadians calling for the release of post 1901 census information. The 1906 Western Census records were due to be released in 1998 in accordance with the National Archives of Canada Act and the Privacy Act, but Statistics Canada has refused to act on this obligation. - 30 - For more information, please call Jeff Paul at 613-947-9744

Greetings All It is just before 12:00 noon and I have just hung up the telephone from speaking with Heritage Minister Sheila Copps on Bill Good's talk show on CKNW in Vancouver. I was one of only three callers that managed to get on before the end of the program. I asked Ms. Copps why she had not come on board with genealogists and historians seeking to regain public access to Historic Census Records. Her response was that she was very much in favour of public access to Post 1901 Census Records and that she has asked to appear before the Senate Committee reviewing Senator Milne's Bill S-12. She appeared to be aware of the Post 1901 Census Project website as she mentioned that she was shown there as not having given a definite response as to her position re: access. Based on this conversation I will finally be awarding her a gold tick of support on the MPs Scoreboard. I am very pleased to be able to do this. On a side issue, Ms. Copps' first caller was Alliance MP Ted White of North Vancouver. He obviously did not like her response to his question relating to legislation currently being discussed in the House of Commons because he hung up on her. Happy Hunting. Gordon A. Watts [email protected] Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en francais http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm

Luther Texas Watts born abt.1851. Died in 1920 at the age of 69 or 70. in the White Flat Cemetery,Greer County, Oklahoma he married Virginia Monkres on 14 Dec 1884.the marriage was witness on 14 Jan 1885 and record on 4th Feb 1885. They were living in Thackerville.Love Co. Ok but were married in Gainesville, Cooke Co., TX. Luther could have been born in TX or MO even TN. Luther "Texas" Watts left home when he was 16. Where is home? Who were his parents? I know that when Luther was 16 his parents died. His brothers and sister were fighting over their estate. He got on his horse and rode away never to see or hear or talk about again not even to his family. He died in Greer County, Ok was once apart of Texas. Could he have move back where he was born the last few years of his live? Their children were: 1 Maggie b 1886 d 1921 m Charlie Dalton 2 Maude b 1888 d 1955 3 Pearl b 1890 d in El Paso, TX m Jessey Dalton(JD) 4 Cora b 1891 5.* Emmett Edger Watts b Nov.2,1892 in Marietta, Love Co. Oklahoma. Married Margaret Ural Scivally on Nov. 11,1911 in Indian Territory, Old Greer Co. Ok. He died in Van Nuys,Ca. Nov 30,1968. Ural was the daughter of James Calvin Scivally and Margaret Ann ( Mattie) Martin Scivally. I have a Copy of there marriage records: States that Emmett was 19 and Ural was 16 at the time of their marriage. L T Watts and J C Scivally had to sign for them. Emmett was living in Reed, Greer Co. Ok and Ural was living in Vinson, Harrison County, OK at the time of their marriage. Ural died 1 Feb 1977 in Van Nuys, Ca. 6 John Wesley Watts b April 25,1894 in Indian Territory ,Ok. Died in Olustee, JacksonCo.OK. He was married twice. 2nd wife was Gracie L, Glenn. John and his wives were childless. 7 William H Watts b 1898 died 1978 8 Bert b 1899 9 Dorothy Mabel Watts b. May 14,1900 in Ok. Died June 1980 in Arp.SmithCo,Tx. Married Orion D Browder. 10 Euel J Watts (Jack or Buster) b 1909 in Ok. Died 1978 in Albuquerque,N.M. Married Bessie 11 Fannie Wigginton/Watts b 13 Oct 1880 d 2 Feb 1956. She is the daughter of Virginia Monkres and Mr. Wigginton. Fannie First married a man name Nelson (Will?). He went to town and never came back. STORY: Luther went to get her and took to her to town and that is when she found out he was in jail for counterfeiting. She could have been pregnant at this time, but because all this she lost the baby. Fannie Second husband was GEORGE L CLINE IN 1901 IN TX. Their first child was Ernest C b 1903 in Marietta,Love County, Ok. Ernest died in 1904 and is buried in Marietta, Ok. I hope someone is look for him Janet http://www.geocities.com/janet_ariciu

Reposting interests as have noticed alot of 'newbies'. Does anyone have an Emma WATTS who married a John PYM? They married in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England on June 8, 1861. That is where their son Frederick John PYM was born in 1862. On the marriage cert. Emma WATTS' father's name is David WATTS who was a tailor. I have found on the surname index for Gloucester (that someone has sent me) an Emma WATTS christened July 21, 1833 in Westbury on Severn to David and Elizabeth WATTS! If you see a connection, or know of someone that may have a connection, please contact me. Thanks in advance, Carrie Hawkins, Ontario, CANADA

Greetings All. In excess of 150 files for the Post 1901 Census Project website have today been loaded on the server. New totals are shown for the MP and Senator Scoreboards Many correspondence logs for Senators and Members of Parliament have been updated. I continue to work on website files and before I get up to date there will probably be at least another 150 changes. I hope to update the sample letters shortly and after that will continue work on expanding the French language pages. Your help in sending us the letters you write, and in particular any responses you get from MPs and Senators is greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing responses to the many letter sent in recent days. It is important to keep the pressure on the politicians so they do not think we have forgotten the Census issue. Petitions are still important and since presenting the last batch to MP Murray Calder during my time in Ottawa, several more have come in. In excess of 22,000 signatures have been presented to the Senate and the House of Commons. Many more are needed. Keep them coming. With your help we will achieve our goal. The URL for the Post 1901 Census Project Website follows my signature. Happy Hunting. Gordon A. Watts [email protected] Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en francais http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm Permission to forward without notice is granted.

Greetings All. My apologies in advance for the length of this posting. I copy below, for your information, my verbal presentation of 19 September to the Senate Committee that is reviewing Senator Milne's Bill S-12. There was more to it, not included in this post, in responding to questions. I am working on adding the entire proceedings to the Post 1901 Census Project website, located at the URL following my signature. I will post to the lists when that has been completed. Happy Hunting. Gordon A. Watts [email protected] Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en francais http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm Permission to forward without notice is granted. ================================ Gordon Watts: Honourable senators, I am one of the common people, and as such I am sure you will forgive me for being a little nervous here today. It is my pleasure to come before you in support of Bill S-12, an Act to amend the Statistics Act and the National Archives of Canada Act. The first decade of the 20th century saw the greatest influx of immigrants in the history of Canada. From 1900 to 1910, 1,819,930 immigrants from 49 different ethnic origins came to Canada. From 1911 to 1920 a further 1,573,432 came. Another 498,752 came between 1921 to 1925. Without access to historical census records, descendents of many of these immigrants will never know where their ancestors originated. It has been estimated that 7.5 million people in Canada, to one degree or another, have an interest in genealogy and family history. I speak on behalf of those people. Let me make it clear at the outset, genealogists and historians do not seek to obtain something new. What we seek is something 'old'. 'Old' both in respect of the information involved and in the fact that it is something that we have had in the past. We seek something that has been taken away from us because of misinterpreted legislation, and the fact that a few paranoid government bureaucrats feel that someone, at some time, might decide to look at records that may contain information about their ancestors. Unfortunately, those bureaucrats have control over the records we seek. 235 years of census records, all that have survived, from the first census of New France conducted in 1666 by Jean Talon, up to and including the 1901 census of Canada reside in and are under control of the national Archives. As such, they are available to any person or body for purposes of research. Copies of these records are available for purchase by libraries, genealogical and historical societies, and individuals. We suggest that access to 235 years of records constitutes a substantial precedent. We see no reason that access to subsequent censuses should now be withheld. Obviously, Statistics Canada has a different view. They claim that as far back as 1905, the people of Canada were given promises and guarantees of confidentiality that a census would last forever. They have been unable to substantiate these claims. Access to Information Requests for documented evidence of the existence of such promises and guarantees were submitted. Statistics Canada has been unable to produce any such evidence. Under our system of democracy, change in legislation takes place because of representations made to the government by the people. This is done through representatives elected by the people. It is the reason we are here today. During the 36th Parliament of Canada, representation made by the people resulted in the appointment of the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records. An educated guess regarding the number of signatures on letters, e-mails, submissions to the expert panel, and petitions seeking to regain public access to historical census records would be in excess of 16,000. During the current Parliament, in excess of 22,000 signatures have been collected on petitions alone to the House of Commons and to the Senate. These figures are added to daily. There has been no corresponding representation to the government by people opposing access. Of the reported 95 submissions sent to the expert panel, only two opposed access to these records. One simply objected to the concept of breaking the promise he believed had been made. The other was a submission by the National Statistics Council, complete with a list of council members. Prominently displayed below the name of the chairperson of the council is the name of ex-officio member Dr.Ivan P. Fellegi, Chief Statistician of Canada. It is a foregone conclusion that any organization associated with Dr.Fellegi would oppose access. Dr. Fellegi and StatsCan would have you believe that knowledge and information provided in a census released 92 years in the future would cause respondents to be reluctant to answer questions or to answer them truthfully. by Environics Research Group that were conducted by StatsCan on behalf of the expert panel did not bear this out. Responses to the question in these surveys remained positive, even after having it unduly stressed that promises of never-ending confidentiality had been made. Reading these surveys, it is obvious that StatsCan manipulated the questions and information provided in a blatant effort to obtain a negative response. It did not work. Bill S-12 has been very well thought out. It will satisfy the concerns of those that seek public access to historic census. It should also satisfy those people who have concerns regarding confidentiality of personal information given in response to census. The delay of 92 years before release to the public provides a reasonable balance between privacy concerns and the need of genealogists and historians for information that no source other than census can provide. This delay is consistent with the provisions of regulation 6(d) of the Privacy Act of Canada. The position of total closure of these records as espoused by Statistics Canada and the Privacy Commissioner provides no balance whatsoever. The people of Canada have spoken. They wish to regain the public access to post-1901 census records on the same basis as those records up to and including 1901 have been, and continue to be, accessible. There should be no discrimination of records up to and including 1901 and those that follow. We call upon the committee to support Bill S-12 without modification. We further call upon the government to accept Bill S-12 as a government bill. That concludes what I had intended as my original verbal submission. I have a couple of comments that I would like to make. I found very interesting the reference by Mr. Sheridan to town hall meetings, which are something that is totally new. On December15, 2000, Industry Minister Tobin announced that further broad-based discussions with all Canadians would take place in conjunction with the ongoing reviews of the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act. Mr. Gaffield and I were told face-to-face, on March 26, by members of the Access to Information Act Review Task Force, not to expect much to be said [about Census] in their final report, because it was not part of their mandate. They were never told that a review of Census should be something they should consider or make recommendations regarding. I have tried numerous times to receive clarification from both Minister Tobin and Justice Minister McLellan, on just what, when, where and by whom these discussions would take place. We have not received a response from either of them, and we have had no acknowledgement of our correspondence with them. We have put in Access to Information requests to both ministers for this information. Statistics Canada has stated that they needed a further delay of 30 to 60 days in order to comply with my request. The day before coming out here, I received a letter from the Minister of Justice's ATI officer stating that they needed a further 130 days. In my view, this is just another example of their great reluctance to have anything to do with our concerns regarding this census issue.

Greetings All. Well, the main reason for my being in Ottawa has come and gone. I have just returned to my hotel room after the conclusion of the Senate Committee hearings on Senator Milne's Bill S-12. It was an interesting experience to say the least. To begin with, the hearings started two hours later than intended. The House and Senate were sitting in emergency debates regarding the events of the last week in the US and Committees are not allowed to sit while the Senate is sitting. As a result, the Senate Hearings did not start until after 5:30 PM. Senator Milne gave a very good speech in support of her Bill. I will not try to summarize her speech her as I expect to receive a transcript of the hearings and will post that on the Post 1901 Census Project website. I will also include part of the hearings in my Global Genealogy column. I was pleased that she quoted part of the Submission to the Expert Panel by Donald Nisbet (deceased). Don was a very dedicated and thorough researcher, and contributed much to our campaign before his death. Senator Milne spoke about British Home Children being an example of one group having a particular need for access to Historic Census Records. Senator Milne was followed by a panel consisting of Ian Wilson -- National Archivist, Michael Sheridan -- Assistant Chief Statistician, and George Radwanski -- Privacy Commissioner. Mr. Wilson presented a historical aspect of the Census situation and, as expected, supported the Bill. Michael Sheridan and George Radwanski, also as expected, spoke against the Bill. Both stressed in their arguments the so called promise that they are unable to provide any documented evidence of. It is almost as if they are afraid their world would fall apart if they were forced to admit that the 'promise' does not exist. One surprise was that George Radwanski admitted to being less opposed to access to census records than was his predecessor Bruce Phillips. Michael Sheridan also presented a surprise by stating that there were to be a number of 'town-hall' meeings across the country to find out how people feel about the release of census records. In response to a question by one of the Senate Committee he stated that this decision had been made by Brian Tobin a month ago. I find this surprising in light of the fact that, as you all know, we have been trying to get a response from Tobin for some time to clarify where, when, by whom his announced broad-based discussions with all Canadians were to be held, and when the results of those discussions are to be announced. Mr. Sheridan indicated that these 'town-hall' meetings would be widely advertised so I would urge all to watch their newspapers for these announcements, and make sure they get out to support the positions of access. My concern regarding these meetings is that, like the Environics Research surveys conducted by Statistics Canada for the Expert Panel, the responses can be predicted and guided by the information provided before asking the questions. For example, in the surveys conducted for the Expert Panel, Statistics Canada did not get the negative responses they wanted in the first survey, so they conducted a second survey. In that second survey, after the second question respondents were told there was promise of never ending confidentiality. The remaining five questions stressed that promise and sought negative responses. They did not succeed. While the answers were less positive than those from the first survey, they were, nevertheless, still positive. Back to the hearings. Following a few questions directed to the first panel, it was time for Chad Gaffield, one of the members of the Expert Panel, and myself to do our bit. Professor Gaffield was in my view, the strongest speaker of all of us. He knew his subject and did not read his presentation as did most of the rest of us, but spoke from some scribbled notes. He did not write them on an envelope as did a famour orator (and President of the US) who sported a beard and stove-pipe hat, but he did very well. For myself, I did, for the most part, read my verbal presentation, although I did respond off the cuff to a few comments that had been made by Michael Sheridan and George Radwanski. I am told that my voice did not shake but I am lucky that no one else was sitting in my chair. They would have felt it shaking. <]:-) On the lighter side, the Chairman, Senator Kirby referred to me twice as Professor Watts, and another Senator referred to me as Dr. Watts (I am neither). In addition, a cousin of my mother, and his wife were among the spectators that attended the hearings. I had never met them before tonight but I am looking forward to having dinner and some more time with them tomorrow. I am expecting also to meet for the first time, and stay a couple of nights with other relatives that I have not met before. They live not far from where my grandmother was born in Flower Station, Lanark County, Ontario. Genealogy is great!! While it was thought that clause by clause consideration of Bill S-12 (and disposal by the Committee) would take place tonight (although in camera) because of the late start and the late hour following the hearings it was decided to proceed with that at another time. I am not sure if such a time was set yet, or just some time in the future. It was great to see and speak with Senator Milne, Chad Gaffield and Ian Wilson again. I have an appointment with MP Murray Calder tomorrow afternoon to present him my latest batch of petitions containing 2565 signatures. No sooner had I finished collating and preparing these petitions to bring with me, than I received three more in the mail. They will make a good start for the next batch -- keep them coming. That's it for tonight. Will get this sent and then I am going across the street to a pub and have a beer, or maybe two. I am still too wound up to consider going to bed. Happy Hunting. Gordon

All is info is wonderful that has been posted these last couple of days. Hoping that somewhere among all this my line of Watts my cross in it. Still not sure searching for William WATTS b.1844? in Ala and m. Mary CRABTREE in Madison Co.,Ala. Have been told through the grapevine that his parents might be John Watts and Margaret Sant but have not been able to prove or disprove. Also have seen that his father might be Joshua Watts of Ala. Can anyone point me in the right direction on this line? thanks...kim

Dear List Members: I have just finished developing a web presentation called "A Letter From Mary Frances Watts Jones". This letter was written to Jane Calpurnia Lee Markham, B. R. Markham's wife, and is most interesting. Mary Frances Watts was married to Lynchburg Industrialist George Morgan Jones, who was a partner of B. R. Markham, and the man that George Jones Markham was named after. The URL of this presentation is: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~markm/Jonesindex.htm Take a look, I know you will enjoy it. Tommy Thomas A. Markham [email protected] Check Out My Web Presentation At: Welcome To Bedford County, Virginia http://www.frontpage2000.family-net.org/tmark/ Welcome To Okeechobee County, Florida http://www.strato.net/~markm/

Greetings All. I have just finished tabulating the latest batch of Census petitions for the House of Commons. The total I will be presenting to MP Murray Calder during the coming week is an additional 2565 signatures. The provincial totals are as follows: Previous Current Total BC 1191 753 1944 AB 4915 396 5311 SK 536 140 676 MN 149 112 261 ON 1121 648 1769 PQ 304 244 548 NB 337 55 392 NS 384 136 400 PE 60 39 99 NF 166 42 208 YT 7 00 14 NT 00 00 00 NUN 00 00 00 ========================= Totals 9170 2565 11735 Additionally, I have 393 signatures for the Senate and 4 non-resident signatures I will be sending to Muriel. With the totals of 10,782 signatures for the Senate that Muriel posted recently, the total number of signatures collected since the Federal election is now 23,004. Signatures gathered during the last administration on petitions, letters, email, and submissions to the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records are estimated to be in excess of 16,000. We have not gathered anywhere near the numbers of signatures on petitions protesting the gun laws brought in during the last parliament, but our numbers are growing. Petitions are still needed, as are letters and email to MPs, Senators and Ministers Tobin and Copps. We have not succeeded in our goal yet, and we must not become complacent, thinking that the battle is over and done with. It will not be so until we have regained the public access to Post 1901 Census Records on the same basis as we have for Census Records up to and including 1901. A word of caution regarding the petitions. A relatively small number of signatures that have been sent in will likely be disqualified by the government scrutineers. The reasons for this range from having signatures on a piece of foolscap that does not have the 'prayer' of the petition at the top; changes made to the wording of the petition - particularly to the 'prayer'; extra sections (not having the 'prayer' on it) taped or stapled to petition form; and not using the proper petitions, i.e. non-residents using the resident forms, and vice-versa. The government has specific rules regarding petitions and disregarding them causes signatures or whole petitions to be voided. As indicated this affects a relatively small number of signatures that may be lost, but we do not wish to lose any. We have received a number of petitions containing only a single signature. While we are grateful for all signatures, even singles, we would encourage everyone to gather at least a few extras before sending them in. For those who have been concerned that I would be walking the streets of Ottawa without a hotel room on Tuesday, I received confirmation today that I now have a room for Tuesday in addition to the previous booking for Wednesday to Saturday. So no walking the streets for me, except that necessary to attend the Senate Hearing meetings, deliver the petitions to MP Murray Calder, and visit Senator Milne. I am looking forward the the Senate Hearings on Bill S-12. Like many things since I became interested in regaining public access to Census records, it will be a new experience for me. I hope that I can live up to expectations. I look forward to seeing National Archivist Ian Wilson and fellow panelist Chad Gaffield, one of the Expert Panel appointed by John Manley, both of whom I met briefly on my trip to Ottawa in March. Having the Senate Committee pass, and hopefully recommend acceptance of Bill S-12 is just one more step in the process. If they do so it will still have to pass third reading in the Senate. Having passed the Senate it must then receive first and second reading in the House of Commons, pass a review by a House Committee with their recommendations to accept, and finally pass third reading in the House of Commons. Having passed in both Houses it will receive Royal Assent and become law, giving us the access to Historic Census Records that we seek -- assuming that somewhere in the process described amendments have not been made that would nulify the intent of the Bill. Having the government accept Bill S-12 as a government Bill would likely assure it's passing. I will report on the proceedings of the Senate Committee hearings later in the week. Happy Hunting. Gordon A. Watts [email protected] Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en francais http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm

Watts-Hurst Reunion Descendants of Jacob Watts (1789) and William Hurst Saturday, September 29,2001 At Manning's Chapel Church Fellowship Hall 10301 County Road 31 Lineville, AL Friends are invited. Relatives are expected.

Looking for any information on following: My GGG Grandfather was James William Watts, who was a Tailor in London. I know he definitely had at least one child (my GG Grandfather), John Edmund Watts, who was a Coachman. He married Mary Ann Buttress (b abt 1847 in Fordham Cambs) in 1871 and they lived in Robert Street at that time. By 1881 Census, John had died, Mary Ann was living in New Burlington Street (just off Saville Row)with their 3 children, Eliza Virtue Watts (b 14/6/1871 or 1872), Edmund John Watts (b abt 1876) and William George Watts (b abt 1878 - my G Grandfather). I know Edmund lived in Tottenham with his wife Fanny Burrows, but I do not know when. They had 2 children, Edith and Edmund.

Hi everyone..need alittle help on this Watts line of mine. I have John Watts b.1823 in Ala. and m. to Margaret SANT. My line is through their son William who was m. to Mary Crabtree. I have been watching with excitement over the news of this John Watts who had a great deal to do with the Indians. Hope i don't sound to stupid but is this John Watts anyway connected with my John? as in the way of grandparents or poss. father. thanks.. kim

searching for others who might be working on this line. Trying to connect John to my John b.1823 in Ala. and who was m. to Margaret SANT. thanks

Hello--- I am changing my e-mail address. Please change it in the Watts mailing list. Old address: [email protected] New address: [email protected] Thank you very much. Sincerely, Diane Apostolakos

trying to locate the line of John WATTS b. in 1823 in Ala. He was m. to Margaret SENT? My line is through their son William who later m. Mary CRABTREE. Thanks for any help on this line. kim