As some of you may be aware, OCUL’s Historical Census Working Group (part of the OCUL Data Community) is working on scoping a comprehensive bilingual inventory of Canadian census data. Our dream is to eventually build a bilingual and openly available discovery platform for census data & statistical tables (print & digital) going back to the earliest Canadian censuses.
This is a big goal, and it certainly isn’t exclusively an “OCUL” one. Yes, this project started because a small group of data librarians in Ontario got together and started talking, but we need participation from across the country if we are going to realize our goal and have it meet everyone’s needs.
I’m writing right now to update you on some of the work we’ve been doing, to request your feedback, and to encourage you to consider getting involved. This project is very flexible, and we can evolve the way we are organized and our working methods to accommodate everyone with an interest in all things census.
So...where are we at? We’ve been hard at work considering all of the relevant census collections in detail, reviewing existing work on the topic (such as existing inventories and platforms that contain some census material), and determining the inventory’s scope (see our scope statement here).
We have also been prototyping the actual inventory, determining what metadata fields are needed to adequately describe the various data products. We invite you to review the following documents:
Inventory design (in English and French), showing how we propose to organize the inventory to accommodate the relevant census data products and documentation
Prototype inventory spreadsheet (attached for the census year 1921), showing the metadata fields we have selected. The cover sheet provides a summary of the inventory progress.
Metadata crosswalk (attached), showing how the selected fields correspond to several relevant metadata standards. We intend to harvest existing metadata, which was the main driver for creating this crosswalk.
Please let us know what you think! You can add comments directly in the documents, or don’t hesitate to send me an email with your feedback.
Next steps: we hope to finalize the inventory design in the next few weeks, and begin inventorying in earnest. There are over 100 censuses on our list to inventory, so this is a very big job! If you are able to contribute in any way (your time, student employee time, etc.) please get in touch.
Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you!
Showing posts with label Historical census data. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Historical census data. Show all posts
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Papers discussing challenges of historical census research
Question
As you know, there are some special challenges associated with exploring the Canadian census through both time and geography dimensions. Are you aware of any papers that discuss these challenges that I could share with a group of graduate students?
Some context: I'm helping a GIS professor develop a lab for her graduate students in which they will use census data to make historical comparisons. For the lab, we'll likely stick to 1990s and 2000s data, but the students might explore further back for their own projects. They will be mostly interested in community-level data, so we're likely to be exploring data from dissemination areas or enumeration areas. The professor would like to assign some reading material to her students and has asked me for suggestions.
I'm already very aware of the challenges and obstacles students might encounter as they work on their own projects (and as we prepare our own instructions for the lab), and I have some good slides to share with the students. However, in my "papers and fun material to share with students when I can assign them readings before I show up" collection, I don't have much about the difficulties of historical census research. And this feels like the kind of topic for which other people might already have some references they could share.
Response
I am not familiar with other sources, but can recommend the following Statcan pubs:
From the Geography Working Paper Series (92F0138M):
1. The Population Ecumene of Canada: Exploring the Past and Present: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/92f0138m/92f0138m2008003-eng.htm
2. Geographic Structures As Census Variables: Using Geography to Analyse Social and Economic Processes: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/92f0138m/92f0138m2001001-eng.pdf
Also of potential interest:
Appendix 2.0 Census of Population and National Household Survey questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/ref/dict/app-ann/a2_0-eng.cfm
Regarding historical comparison of geographic areas:
The boundaries and names of geographic areas can change from one census to the next. For this, you have the correspondence files, http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/geo/ref/cor-eng.cfm, which contain unique identifiers for the current census geographic area and the corresponding unique identifier for the previous census geographic area.
And presentations from the DLI Training Repository:
1. DLI National Training Day 2014 - Historical Census Statistics, by A Guindon & S Mowers: https://cudo.carleton.ca/dli-training/3713
2. Creating Historical Digital Census Boundary Maps for Canada, by A Petrov & L Ruus: https://cudo.carleton.ca/dli-training/2386
3. The Canadian Century Research Infrastructure: Locating and Interpreting Historical Microdata, by N Farnworth: https://cudo.carleton.ca/dli-training/2511
As you know, there are some special challenges associated with exploring the Canadian census through both time and geography dimensions. Are you aware of any papers that discuss these challenges that I could share with a group of graduate students?
Some context: I'm helping a GIS professor develop a lab for her graduate students in which they will use census data to make historical comparisons. For the lab, we'll likely stick to 1990s and 2000s data, but the students might explore further back for their own projects. They will be mostly interested in community-level data, so we're likely to be exploring data from dissemination areas or enumeration areas. The professor would like to assign some reading material to her students and has asked me for suggestions.
I'm already very aware of the challenges and obstacles students might encounter as they work on their own projects (and as we prepare our own instructions for the lab), and I have some good slides to share with the students. However, in my "papers and fun material to share with students when I can assign them readings before I show up" collection, I don't have much about the difficulties of historical census research. And this feels like the kind of topic for which other people might already have some references they could share.
Response
I am not familiar with other sources, but can recommend the following Statcan pubs:
From the Geography Working Paper Series (92F0138M):
1. The Population Ecumene of Canada: Exploring the Past and Present: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/92f0138m/92f0138m2008003-eng.htm
2. Geographic Structures As Census Variables: Using Geography to Analyse Social and Economic Processes: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/92f0138m/92f0138m2001001-eng.pdf
Also of potential interest:
Appendix 2.0 Census of Population and National Household Survey questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/ref/dict/app-ann/a2_0-eng.cfm
Regarding historical comparison of geographic areas:
The boundaries and names of geographic areas can change from one census to the next. For this, you have the correspondence files, http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/geo/ref/cor-eng.cfm, which contain unique identifiers for the current census geographic area and the corresponding unique identifier for the previous census geographic area.
And presentations from the DLI Training Repository:
1. DLI National Training Day 2014 - Historical Census Statistics, by A Guindon & S Mowers: https://cudo.carleton.ca/dli-training/3713
2. Creating Historical Digital Census Boundary Maps for Canada, by A Petrov & L Ruus: https://cudo.carleton.ca/dli-training/2386
3. The Canadian Century Research Infrastructure: Locating and Interpreting Historical Microdata, by N Farnworth: https://cudo.carleton.ca/dli-training/2511
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Historical census data for Burnaby
Question
I must be missing something obvious. I'm looking for aggregated census data from 1901 and 1911 for Burnaby. For those Censuses, Burnaby was included in New Westminster.
Using Scholars GeoPortal, I can identify the subdivision/enumeration areas in which Burnaby falls (several!) but am stymied on obtaining population numbers/characteristics. The closest I have come is this:
http://hcmc.uvic.ca/~taprhist/content/documents/abstract1901.php which lists Burnaby as part of Richmond.
Answer
The Census boundaries were produced as part of a larger census digitization project called the Canadian Census Research Infrastructure (CCRI). Part of this project included microdata creation and digitization of aggregate census tables that can be used with the boundaries for mapping. The most comprehensive online database I’ve come across is hosted at the University of Alberta:
https://dataverse.library.
CCRI produced digital data for 1911-1951: https://dataverse.library.
For 1901, I know there is a 1901 Microdata file which was produced by UVic researchers, it is available online from UBC Abacus and <odesi>
You can also find PDF scans of data tables for the districts in the Internet Archive
Fourth Census of Canada, 1901, vol. I (Internet Archive)
Fourth Census of Canada, 1901, vol. II (Internet Archive)
Fourth Census of Canada, 1901, vol. III (Internet Archive)
Fourth Census of Canada, 1901, vol. IV (Internet Archive)
(IA listing curtsey of MDL, University of Toronto)
I must be missing something obvious. I'm looking for aggregated census data from 1901 and 1911 for Burnaby. For those Censuses, Burnaby was included in New Westminster.
Using Scholars GeoPortal, I can identify the subdivision/enumeration areas in which Burnaby falls (several!) but am stymied on obtaining population numbers/characteristics. The closest I have come is this:
http://hcmc.uvic.ca/~taprhist/content/documents/abstract1901.php which lists Burnaby as part of Richmond.
Answer
The Census boundaries were produced as part of a larger census digitization project called the Canadian Census Research Infrastructure (CCRI). Part of this project included microdata creation and digitization of aggregate census tables that can be used with the boundaries for mapping. The most comprehensive online database I’ve come across is hosted at the University of Alberta:
https://dataverse.library.
CCRI produced digital data for 1911-1951: https://dataverse.library.
For 1901, I know there is a 1901 Microdata file which was produced by UVic researchers, it is available online from UBC Abacus and <odesi>
You can also find PDF scans of data tables for the districts in the Internet Archive
Fourth Census of Canada, 1901, vol. I (Internet Archive)
Fourth Census of Canada, 1901, vol. II (Internet Archive)
Fourth Census of Canada, 1901, vol. III (Internet Archive)
Fourth Census of Canada, 1901, vol. IV (Internet Archive)
(IA listing curtsey of MDL, University of Toronto)
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Enumeration area maps for historical censuses
Question
what are the odds of finding enumeration area (EA) maps for the 1961 and 1971 censuses?
Specifically, I'm looking to determine which rural fringe EAs correspond to the areas later amalgamated into Timmins but which were not considered part of the CA/major urban centre in each of those census years.
Answer
Specifically, I'm looking to determine which rural fringe EAs correspond to the areas later amalgamated into Timmins but which were not considered part of the CA/major urban centre in each of those census years.
Answer
It would be great to inventory paper and digital maps, it is on our radar for next year as part of the older census boundaries project. Some good news though, you may soon be able to get 1971 Census EAs in digital boundary form. Statistics Canada will be releasing this in the New Year as part of a data restoration project Giuseppe Filoso is working on (cc’d on this message).
For now, you can see some maps available through the Internet Archive, and population centre points for EAs in the GeoPortal, but I’m not sure if they cover the rural areas around Timmins.
1961 Census Reference Maps (Major urban areas) https://archive.org/stream/1961925381962engfra#page/n83/mode/2up
1971 Census Geographic Attribute File (EAs population centre points) http://geo.scholarsportal.info/#r/details/_uri@=809361798
The Statistical Registers and Geography Division has confirmed that they are working on a project to convert and update historical data holdings. It’s a work in progress and is currently prioritized by requests.
For now, you can see some maps available through the Internet Archive, and population centre points for EAs in the GeoPortal, but I’m not sure if they cover the rural areas around Timmins.
1961 Census Reference Maps (Major urban areas) https://archive.org/stream/1961925381962engfra#page/n83/mode/2up
1971 Census Geographic Attribute File (EAs population centre points) http://geo.scholarsportal.info/#r/details/_uri@=809361798
The Statistical Registers and Geography Division has confirmed that they are working on a project to convert and update historical data holdings. It’s a work in progress and is currently prioritized by requests.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Historical Census Data for Laxgalts'ap
Question
I am working with a researcher who needs historical census data going back 20 years (so essentially going back to and including the 1991 Census) for Laxgalts’ap (5949840).
2006 – According to the suppression lists at http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/ref/notes/sup_CSD2A-SDR2A-eng.cfm) and (http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/ref/notes/sup_CSD2B-SDR2B-eng.cfm), the data for Laxgalts’ap was suppressed. As there is data available for Laxgalts’ap in the 2001 Census, and the population in this community actually grew somewhat between 2001 and 2006, I am assuming this was not because of low population numbers but because of a problem with the data. However, it would be nice to be able to provide the researcher with a reason as to why the 2006 data is not available. I could not find this information in any documentation, but I do seem to remember hearing something about some problem in the 2006 Census that resulted in this kind of suppression…
1991 and 1996 – Laxgalts’ap was not a CSD before 2001. The area was included in the Kitimat-Stikine, Subd A CSD (5949037). As I don’t have EA maps for these censuses, I compared the 2006 DA boundary file with the 1996 and 1991 EA boundary files to try to determine the EAs that encompassed Laxgalts’ap in the earlier years. From what I can see, the relevant EAs for 1996 are 59025404 and 59025406 and the relevant EA for 1991 was 59025404. Is it possible to verify this for me please?
Answer
According to the Data Quality Notes for the 2006 Community Profile for Laxgalts’ap, data were suppressed for the following reasons:
• Data quality index showing, for the short census questionnaire (100% data), a global non response rate higher than or equal to 25% (suppressed).
• Data quality index showing, for the long census questionnaire (20% sample data), a global non-response rate higher than or equal to 25% (suppressed).
(See: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page_Notes.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5949840&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Laxgaltsap&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&DQF=03030)
Further Information
Our geography contact has verified that you found the correct EA’s for Laxgalts’ap in 1991 and 1996. Here is her explanation:
“I used GeoRef 1996 to look up all of the EAs in Kitimat-Stikine, Subd A CSD (5949037) for 1996:
59025121
59025218
59025367
59025401
59025402
59025411
59025430
59025404 belonged to the CSD Lachkaltsap 9 (5949825) in 1996
59025406 belonged to the CSD Lachkaltsap 9 (5949825) in 1996
The 1996 CSD Lachkaltsap 9 (5949825) is now part of the 2006 CSD Laxgalts’ap (5949840) as of 11/05/2000. Only the 1996 EAs 59025404 and 59025406 are part of the 2006 CSD Laxgalts’ap (5949840).
EAUID96 PRCODE06 CDCODE06 CSDCODE06 GEOCODE06 2006 CSD Name
59025404 59 49 840 5949840 Laxgalts'ap
59025406 59 49 840 5949840 Laxgalts'ap
59025121 59 49 039 5949039 Kitimat-Stikine A
59025218 59 49 035 5949035 Nisga'a
59025367 59 49 035 5949035 Nisga'a
59025401 59 49 039 5949039 Kitimat-Stikine A
59025402 59 49 039 5949039 Kitimat-Stikine A
59025411 59 49 041 5949041 Kitimat-Stikine D
59025430 59 49 039 5949039 Kitimat-Stikine A
I also looked in the 1991EA_1996EA_Correspondence file and confirmed that the client is correct that 59025404 is the relevant EA for 1991.”
I am working with a researcher who needs historical census data going back 20 years (so essentially going back to and including the 1991 Census) for Laxgalts’ap (5949840).
2006 – According to the suppression lists at http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/ref/notes/sup_CSD2A-SDR2A-eng.cfm) and (http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/ref/notes/sup_CSD2B-SDR2B-eng.cfm), the data for Laxgalts’ap was suppressed. As there is data available for Laxgalts’ap in the 2001 Census, and the population in this community actually grew somewhat between 2001 and 2006, I am assuming this was not because of low population numbers but because of a problem with the data. However, it would be nice to be able to provide the researcher with a reason as to why the 2006 data is not available. I could not find this information in any documentation, but I do seem to remember hearing something about some problem in the 2006 Census that resulted in this kind of suppression…
1991 and 1996 – Laxgalts’ap was not a CSD before 2001. The area was included in the Kitimat-Stikine, Subd A CSD (5949037). As I don’t have EA maps for these censuses, I compared the 2006 DA boundary file with the 1996 and 1991 EA boundary files to try to determine the EAs that encompassed Laxgalts’ap in the earlier years. From what I can see, the relevant EAs for 1996 are 59025404 and 59025406 and the relevant EA for 1991 was 59025404. Is it possible to verify this for me please?
Answer
According to the Data Quality Notes for the 2006 Community Profile for Laxgalts’ap, data were suppressed for the following reasons:
• Data quality index showing, for the short census questionnaire (100% data), a global non response rate higher than or equal to 25% (suppressed).
• Data quality index showing, for the long census questionnaire (20% sample data), a global non-response rate higher than or equal to 25% (suppressed).
(See: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page_Notes.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5949840&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Laxgaltsap&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&DQF=03030)
Further Information
Our geography contact has verified that you found the correct EA’s for Laxgalts’ap in 1991 and 1996. Here is her explanation:
“I used GeoRef 1996 to look up all of the EAs in Kitimat-Stikine, Subd A CSD (5949037) for 1996:
59025121
59025218
59025367
59025401
59025402
59025411
59025430
59025404 belonged to the CSD Lachkaltsap 9 (5949825) in 1996
59025406 belonged to the CSD Lachkaltsap 9 (5949825) in 1996
The 1996 CSD Lachkaltsap 9 (5949825) is now part of the 2006 CSD Laxgalts’ap (5949840) as of 11/05/2000. Only the 1996 EAs 59025404 and 59025406 are part of the 2006 CSD Laxgalts’ap (5949840).
EAUID96 PRCODE06 CDCODE06 CSDCODE06 GEOCODE06 2006 CSD Name
59025404 59 49 840 5949840 Laxgalts'ap
59025406 59 49 840 5949840 Laxgalts'ap
59025121 59 49 039 5949039 Kitimat-Stikine A
59025218 59 49 035 5949035 Nisga'a
59025367 59 49 035 5949035 Nisga'a
59025401 59 49 039 5949039 Kitimat-Stikine A
59025402 59 49 039 5949039 Kitimat-Stikine A
59025411 59 49 041 5949041 Kitimat-Stikine D
59025430 59 49 039 5949039 Kitimat-Stikine A
I also looked in the 1991EA_1996EA_Correspondence file and confirmed that the client is correct that 59025404 is the relevant EA for 1991.”
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