Introduction

During the summer of 1991 while researching early Roman Catholic burial records at the Basilica Parish Office, I was given permission by Father Gerry Tingley, Rector of St. Dunstan's Parish, to investigate the basement and the attic of the Bishop's Palace in search of old books which might be

of value.

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.

By comparing ages in the ledger with those contained in the 1881 Canadian Government Census, and checking some baptismal records, it was determined that the census was taken during the years 1878-1879.

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 Hohnan Chief Provincial Archivist. A11 believed it

to be a new and valuable resource that should be made available to the public.

The census contains the household number, street, father's name, mother‘s maiden name, clergy officiating at the marriage, occupations, school attended, and remarks as well as whether or not the person received the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.

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 maniages took place

elsewhere. ‘