1921 census provides snapshot into Sask.’s early boom

REGINA — It is kind of like Christmas for fans of genealogy.

“You get a little anxious and want it to come,” said Linda Dunsmore-Porter, executive director of Saskatchewan Genealogical Society.

Last week personal and family details from the 1921 Canadian census were released. For privacy reasons, records have to be sealed away for 92 years. It is giving genealogists a better idea of Saskatchewan’s early growth and drawing connections to the province’s recent success.

“Between 1911 and 1921, the population of Saskatchewan increased 54 per cent (the second fastest growing province at the time),” explained Dunsmore-Porter.

Many of them were immigrant families who looked to the province for a life of opportunity. Early on, they found it in Saskatchewan. In 1921, 70 per cent of the population was considered rural.

These days it is 30 per cent. In 1921 there were 140,000 farms, many more than the current 37,000.

The census gives a snapshot of life in the 1920’s, while also teaching residents lessons that can be taken into the future, said Premier Brad Wall.

“Our economy is more diversified,” he explained. “It’s something that’s a priority for us. For example, when something happens with potash, it only represents five per cent of government revenues.”

It is a good lesson because in 1921, no one could have envisioned how dire times would get. The depression came and the population dropped. Over 90 years later, residents of Saskatchewan finally see the province back in a similar time of prosperity.

The census breaks it down but genealogists fear in the future they may not always get the best picture of life these days. Canadians can now opt out of having their information released in 92 years.

“That is going to affect genealogists or any sort of statistician that are doing research because we are not going to get a true count on people,” explained Dunsmore-Porter.

For now, she will anxiously wait for another 10 years to see what the census of 1931 reveals.

The 1921 census is currently being indexed to make it easier for Canadians to locate their families online. It should be completed later this year.