www.Leazott.com

xx01-Canada's Censuses-Why The '01 ?                              2017 03 01
Lesson 017...                                                                                                 Published Monthly

What Could Possibly Be Their Reason?...
Have you ever wondered why Canada's censuses are always done in xx01 years?
What could possibly be the reason for such an odd difference and method?

The truth is, we here in the United States are the "Odd Duck" of censuses.
Most every other nation on earth does them in years ending in '01.

With the War Of Independance won and the country begining a new life, a census was neeeded.
As with all things, underlying reasons for the census were for both assessment and taxation.

But still, this oddness is not imposed elsewhere, nor do we adhere to others methods.
Their reason and ours are both quite simple and of natural occurance actually.
When people count, they start at "1". It's the begining of something new.

Other nations evolved this system as a way of starting the new/upcoming decennial as natural.
Many countries feel this appropriate, and have been doing it this way for centuries.
The United States reasons for choosing th '00 method are quite different.


What Good Is This Information?...
In all honesty, the purpose seems to work for these countrys as a simple correct counting method.
But we as Americans, out of expediance, necessity, and of course defiance chose the '00 years.
The result for us now is that we're able to track ancestor movement to a tighter timeframe!

For many Americans, the family tree is routed through Canada and other '01 census countrys.
The ability to narrow travel by even a year is sometimes enough to pinpoint many circumstances.
Additionally, elders and foreign born children become helpful in discerning families of similar names.

With so many variables to contend, narrowing a search by a year and to a specific place is welcome!
Many times, unexpected information presents itself as you find foreign neighbors moving too.
This was very common practice as strong bonds were formed over many years and miles.

Overall, having two sets of information for comparison can work for a broader and clearer view.
Even if there is no information found on a previous '01 census until an '00 census it helps!
That scenario "could" mean emmigration between the '01 foreign and the prior '00 US.


What's So Special About '01?...
The first noticable item regarding the '01 censuses are its numerical efficiency.
Compiled data is stored in a logical order of decennial separations between censuses.
This makes for a more natural flow of thinking, leading to less chance of clerical mishaps.

In general this system was developed hundreds of years prior to computers for paper records.
It was designed for book keeping, storage and keeping operations as simple as possible.
There has never been a reason to change, and as '00'ers we should be glad!

As long as other countrys continue with '01, we'll enjoy more data comparison.
This works well for other countrys also, whereby they can check both places as well.
It should be noted that these '00 and '01 census years are not strictly population censuses.

Genealogists have adapted well to using the population censuses.
Their main interest being family heredity but be warned that is not its intent.
Each "year" the questions vary and become more streamlined toward financial invasion.

The use of "back-to-back censuses" will only affect minor portions of people even in large trees.
Under careful comparison, the '01 censuses may also help to explain the reason for leaving.
Since enumeration sheets gear towards finances, be sure to check income and property.


Which System Is Better?...
Simply from casual observance, it would seem as though the '01 system is better operationally.
As shown above, it has withstood the test of time, enduring across both years and nations.
Though not reasons as to why, they are both testament to its working well for centurys.

The logical starting point of "1" is trained early and naturally in every human across the globe.
There is no need for "training" a new clerk as to which decennial records would store into.
In todays age hard-drives rule and boxes no longer clutter up office space. Or do they?

Enter the virtue of never having a need to change, and the US defiance gene coded into our DNA.
With many learning points gained toward perfecting a system, change was never a thought.
When the United States began enumerations in 1790, it inadvertantly helped the '01s.

Many other countrys naturally follow the US's lead in several areas, but this remains with them!
Every year since 1800, the US census is done just before '01 countrys are, providing the new data.
Used wisely, '01s can assess critical factors needed in order to know how to direct their own country!


Putting It All Together...
Sometimes things are just the way they are because they are, and work very nicely that way!
Such is the case with the '01 census years of Canada and in several other countrys.
A simplistic/natural order to be less confusing with no training necessary.

When looking at other types of '01 reports, they instinctively say "this is the begining of the term".
The '00 method is viewed more as a start/finish line, which also serves with its own merits.
Canada censuses started in 1825, then 1831, and a delay until 1842, then '01s since.

The system works well for them and others, and there does not appear to be reason for any change.
Similar systems do not benefit from each other as they do with other systems for narrowing.
This difference may also help in searching countrys of random order enumerations.

The '00 system was developed out of necessity at the startup of our country.
It may even have been deployed as a bit of a snub to be done ahead of Englands.
With the names and households listed as United States citizens, Englands grasp weakened.

Both systems are very similar, but as Americans we sometimes forget others were first.
All is searchable with computers by input, so this really only affects hard copies and minds.
Their method may seem outdated, but can be used naturally without unnecessary pompus training.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Understand that each country has their own methods and are not subject to US guidelines.
Many countrys utilize the '01 system, and it works as effectively as the '00 system.

Second...
Remember to use this difference to your advantage if you find subjects missing from a census.
Names missing from both '00 and '01 censuses may indicate an immigration timeframe.

Third...
When viewing foreign census sheets, review the names on them for other known kinships.
Moving to another country is "usually" done as a family, rarely is it done individually.


As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

Our family. Our website.
Leazott.com