In searching our Ancestors in
Waterloo & Woolwich Townships I have found that it was much different from
searching my British Ancestors. This page is an attempt to aid others starting
out by giving some guides as to where and how to look.
There are no direct links on this page, but you will find details of how to find the Census film you need and their Numbers.
Also included are some of the details on Census Districts and Sub Districts which are different for each census year.
I will also make mention of some other resources on the internet, some of these are included on my links page found via:-
The single larges resource for finding details of you ancestors is the records held by The Church of the Latter-day Saints. Many if not most of these are available on film to anyone at your local Family History Center at most LDS churches. A lot of it is available on line, if you have not visited their web site yet, go now, before getting into ordering and viewing film that may have been transcribed and searchable on the web. (See my links page for a link to LDS and all their information)
If you have got to the point where you need to look at census film, first check to see if an index is available. There are some on line and many available through Genealogical societies or others for look up. Going through filmed records name by name is VERY DIFFICULT often the writing and or quality is poor and searching without a good idea where to find the record on the film is VERY TIME CONSUMING. As a minimum try and find out the Sub District where your Ancestor lived and scroll through the film till you find that area. (Again see my links page for index links)
On the LDS site go to LIBRARY tab, then LIBRAY CATALOG on header, enter your search PLACE.
(A search by subject does not usually find census or township records)
When the list of places comes up select the one you want, if it’s listed under several different sub headings check them all.
(For instance BMD is under Waterloo, but Taxation is under Waterloo,Waterloo)
Work your way down the “folders” until you see the VIEW FILM NOTES come up. (or no film for this record.
Do NOT be put off if the record title does not at first seem what you are looking for. The VIEW FILM NOTES will bring up a LIST OF FILMS and their notes, not just a single film as it seems in the main title.
Scroll down the list to find what you need, there may be more that one page, a NEXT PAGE tab is at the bottom.
For CENSUS FILM enter the PROVINCE and then proceed as above. U.S census is filed under State!
I am still learning about the various Census’s in Canada but: - Each year is organized differently both in the District and Sub District names and numbers as well as the layout and headings of the actual census. I have attempted to make some sense of it as listed below. I have not found any detailed maps of the Districts or Sub districts for most of the years. If you have a map of Waterloo County showing details for a census year please contact me.
The Census’s are split into two or more Schedules. Schedule 1 usually being the details on People and the rest on Places and Agricultural details. As they are on separate pages and listed differently it is sometimes difficult to correlate a person with the location where he is living. Some cross reference by page or entry number, some just give the name in the Agricultural census.
Some census’s schedules are on different films, so check that out when searching for film numbers.
More to come when I get time! Feel free to contact me with additional information or corrections.