One hundred years from now, challenges await genealogist Melanie ArscottB次元官网网址檚 successor.

Monday marks the start of census season, with Canadians starting to receive the 2011 short-form questionnaire and the new B次元官网网址� and controversial B次元官网网址� National Household Survey.

B次元官网网址淲e rely on vital statistics and census information to tell us about the people and the places in our familyB次元官网网址檚 history. And when those details are not available itB次元官网网址檚 what we call B次元官网网址榟itting a brick wall,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Arscott said about the impact the voluntary NHS will have as it replaces the mandatory long-form census of years past.

Arscott, president of the Victoria Genealogical Society, says the more in-depth information, which has been collected in some form since confederation in 1867, is essential.

B次元官网网址淚t has more information just about the people and the way they live B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 so much more than just a number,B次元官网网址� she said of what the compulsory short-form census will now provide.

Because the NHS is voluntary, even Statistics Canada, which administers the census, is doubtful it will see a strong return of the surveys.

B次元官网网址淲ith B次元官网网址� an anticipated response rate of 50 per cent, approximately 16 per cent of the Canadian population will complete the National Household Survey, compared with 19 per cent under a mandatory census long form,B次元官网网址� read an October release from Statistics Canada.

B次元官网网址淕iven its anticipated lower overall number of respondents, the National Household Survey will B次元官网网址� have a sampling error that is slightly higher (worse) than would have been achieved from a mandatory long-form census.B次元官网网址�

Census data

-Census forms are due back by July 29.

-Aggregate information releases will begin starting in late 2011 through October 2012.

-Not filling out your form or providing false information on your census can lead to a $500 fine, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com