A Roman Catholic census of Charlottetown 1878-1879 /

A Roman Catholic census of Charlottetown 1878-1879 /

Charlottetown,

Cover : A portion of the 1878 map entitled "A panoramic view of Charlottetown" by Albert Ruger.

Cover: A portion of the 1878 map entitled A Panoramic view oj Charlottetown by Albert Ruger

Prepared for tbe Diocese of Charlottetown by Couis J. Daley 1993

In the basement I discovered a ledger which contained extensive information about Catholics living in 716 households in Charlottetown. It turned out to be a census, compiled by the Parish of St. Dunstan's, of parishioners living in Charlottetown. Of interest to me at that time were the deaths recorded therein.

In the basement I discovered a ledger which contained extensive information about Catholics living in 716 households in Charlottetown. It turned out to be a census, compiled by the Parish of St. Dunstan's, of parishioners living in Charlottetown. Of interest to me at that time were the deaths recorded therein.

In the basement I discovered a ledger which contained extensive information about Catholics living in 716 households in Charlottetown. It turned out to be a census, compiled by the Parish of St. Dunstan's, of parishioners living in Charlottetown. Of interest to me at that time were the deaths recorded therein.

Believing the census to be an important genealogical and historical resource, I showed it to Sister Lauretta White, Chancellor of the Diocese of Charlottetown. I then took it to Rev. Francis Bolger, renowned Island historian and to Mr. Harry Holman Chief Provincial Archivist. All believed it to be a new and valuable resource that should be made available to the public.

By comparing handwriting contained in the census with that contained in the parish registers of the time, it appears that the enumerators were Father Nazaire Charles Antoine Bouderault and Father Stephen Thomas Phelan both of whom were assistants at the cathedral parish in Charlottetown at that time. (The book contained no dates or names of those compiling the data.)

The census contains much useful knowledge which may not be available from any other source. Of major significance is the entry of the wife's maiden name. Although this information is available if the couple were married on P.E.I., through the church records, often the marriages took place elsewhere. *

Another entry of significance is that of the clergyman officiating at the wedding. One can compare the priest's name with lists of priests of P.E.I, and determine whether or not the couple was married here. Sometimes the entry will give the priest's name and the location of the wedding, such as in the case of Francis Murphy who married Mary Connors. Under the heading BY WHOM MARRIED the entry reads Father Barret, Chicago. Chicago may be another "jumping off place" for those attempting to trace the Murphy or Connors family.

The occupations of the Charlottetown citizens of the time as listed in the census help to paint a historical picture of the city. That James Doolan was the City lamp lightei tells us that the street lights were gas powered at the time. The number of cooper (barrel maker) and seafaiing man entries tells us that Charlottetown was still very much involved in trade.

The occupations of the Charlottetown citizens of the time as listed in the census help to paint a historical picture of the city. That James Doolan was the City lamp lightei tells us that the street lights were gas powered at the time. The number of cooper (barrel maker) and seafaiing man entries tells us that Charlottetown was still very much involved in trade.

Of the thirteen schools listed here, it is evident that girls attended school in much greater numbers than did boys. The two schools frequented most by girls were St. Joseph's and St. Ann's. Boys attended City Schools (later known as ) and St. Patrick's (became ) respectively in greatest numbers.

Also it is interesting to examine the map of Charlottetown produced at the time entitled A of Prince

(The above publications are available at the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation at Beaconsfield, Charlottetown).

St. Peter's

Pownal

St. Ann

Servant @ Peakes

St. Ann's

Hillsborough Str.

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann

Dorch. & Pownal

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

N.Y.

Georgetown

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

Lived in Southport

St. Dunstan's

St. Dunstan's

St. Ann's

Vlrs. Mich.

Newfoundland

St. Ann's

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

Newfoundland

St. Ann

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

St. Ann's

St. Ann

St. Ann's

St. Ann's

ill child of Mich.

St. Ann's

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Richmond

Newfoundland

Pownal

Pownal

Pownal

Pownal

Pownal

Pownal

in Newfoundland

Pownal

Pownal

Pownal

Pownal

Pownal

Pownal

Pownal

St. Ann

St. Ann

in Canada West

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

St. Ann

Hillsborough

Hillsborough

Cumberland

Cumberland

Cumberland

Cumberland

Cumberland

Cumberland

St. Ann

St. Ann

Servant at Bayfield's

Servant at Bayfield's

St. Ann

St. Ann

Cambridge

Pownal

Pownal

St. Ann

283 Conway 181 Corbett

Mrs. Mich.