1861 Census - Ontario - Completed When, Please?

[Lisa in California]

I understand that the "Canada West" census was officially started on January 14, 1861.  Is there any way to find out when it was completed, please?  I am interested in the census for Etobicoke, Ontario.  (I'm hoping that it was completed prior to July 31, 1861.)  Thank you, Lisa

[lilybell]

1861 Canadian census was taken Canada East and Canada West Jan 14 1861

Nova Scotia March 30 1861

New Brunswick Aug 15 1861

This info from Library and Archives Canada


Lilybell

[Lisa in California]

Hi Lilybell:

Thank you for your help.  I am actually wondering if anyone might know when it was completed, please?  I believe I found my ancestor's sibling's burial, but he was buried at the end of July, 1861.  So, if the census (which he was on) was completed after July, then the burial isn't for him.  (I hope that makes sense.)     Thank you for your reply, Lilybell; it is appreciated.

[lilybell]

Hi Lisa

Is it safe to assume that the census was taken on the day I posted in my previous email.

Now I am sure some Rootschatter will correct me If I am wrong.

Could be the census taker might of had to go back if someone was not home...do not know how long they had to  complete the census. Will check around


Lilybell

[Lisa in California]

Hi Lilybell:

I didn't realize that it (most likely) would have been completed in one day!

I've been trying to find solid proof that a family on the 1851 census is "my" family from the 1861 census (childrens' ages are off and some of the children from 1851 were not living with their parents in 1861).  Knowing that there is the possibility that the youth mentioned in the 1861 census could have died in July 1861, adds more proof that the families are the same.  Again, I hope that makes sense.  (It's been a long day.) 

Thank you again, Lilybell.

[lilybell]

Hi Lisa

This bit of info from Library and Archives Canada.

The previous dates I posted were the official enumeration dates for the various census returns.

Actual enumeration of the population took weeks or months.
The 1851 census was actually taken in 1852 I believe.


Lilybell

[cosmac]

http://www.prdh.umontreal.ca/census/en/uguide/enum_1861.aspx
Instructions for enumerators 1861 census. 

From this excerpt you would think that since the enumerator's pay was based on completion of the census and the number of people enumerated it would be important to fufill the task as quickly as possible.  This example seemed to have taken approx. one month
http://www.morinheightshistory.org/census/1861info.html

[Lisa in California]

Hi cosmac:

Thank you very much for the links.  The link for the instructions was especially interesting.

Lilybell, I had forgotten about the 1851 Canada West census being started in 1852.  The following link explains a bit:
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1851/Pages/about-census.aspx
Thank you for the reminder; that does help a wee bit with the age differences.

This family has been difficult to "follow".   The spelling of the surname varies; the childrens' places of birth varies from document to document; no males (that I've been able to find) lived into adulthood; and while four of the daughters are living with their widowed mother in 1871, I cannot find the other four daughters in 1871 (two of them are on the 1891 census and we believe the other two died in the last 1870's so they should have been on the 1871 census).

Thank you both very much for your guidance.  It is appreciated.

[lilybell]

Hi Lisa
Here is a website which does a good job of explaining census records.Helps with why folks might have trouble finding a ancestor.
Ontario GenWeb Project:Census Records-Rootsweb
www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canon/research-topic-census.html

Lilybell