Researching genealogy is an on-going project that is never completed: every family discovery leads to yet another fascinating family question. Thanks to so much information available on-line, a whole new generation of researchers are logging on and taking an interest in this interesting and rewarding pastime.
The Canadian census has been taken every ten years since 1851. Log on to www.bac-lac.gc.ca, the Library and Archives Canada site, click on the 鈥渃ensuses鈥� line, and find census records to 1916.聽 For dates after this, the site explains: 鈥淐ensus returns after 1921 are in the custody of Statistics Canada. The Statistics Act and the Act to Amend the Statistics Act does not permit the disclosure of personal information from post-1921 census returns. The only exception is for people who require information about themselves, for pension or other legal purposes. Third parties cannot obtain information about another individual without the individual鈥檚 written consent.聽 Under the legislation, the records will be opened for public use and transferred to Library and Archives Canada 92 calendar years after the taking of a census.鈥�
Beyond the census information, the Library and Archives Canada site also has many interesting and informative materials that 鈥渟pan the entire history of our country鈥�, plus links to research Aboriginal ancestry, information from the First World War, military service files after 1918 (Second World War), and immigration.聽 Genealogists will want to click on the 鈥淕enealogy and Family History鈥� line that will take you to a very informative page that helps you get started. Learn how to begin your searches, and have access to births, marriages, deaths, census, immigration and citizenship, military, land, and employment information. 聽
Closer to home, the Saskatchewan Archives site (go to www.saskarchives.com) also has much valuable information. Click on the 鈥淯sing The Archives鈥� tab at the top of the page.聽 Researchers are encouraged and welcomed; as the site says, 鈥淚n addition to acquiring and preserving the rich documentary heritage of the province of Saskatchewan and its citizens, the Saskatchewan Archives endeavours to make available and encourage the use of our archival resources.鈥� Click on the 鈥淎bout Our Collection鈥� tab, and you will see the many records that are available through Sask Archives including education and school records, municipal records, photographs, and records from private donors.
And should you want to donate some records or documents to Sask Archives, click on the
鈥淒onating Records鈥� tab, which explains that 鈥淭he Saskatchewan Archives provides a controlled environment for the preservation of archival records of historical value. Archivists are available to appraise records, to determine historical value鈥� The donation of private records to our repository is encouraged to ensure a lasting and effective documentation of everyday life, political development, economic growth, cultural achievement and provincial spirit of Saskatchewan.鈥�
The Yorkton branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society will be holding their next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Yorkton Public Library. Discussion will include transcribing graves, and a presentation by Doris Maben about the Genealogy general meeting. Everyone is welcome!
Every family has a story: discover yours with the Yorkton Genealogy Society!
