Same individual in two different census

[McDougalls]

Hello community,

Apologies if this is not the correct place for this question.

I have, what I believe, is the same person (Gr-gr-grandfather, Duncan McDougall) recorded on two different 1901 Manitoba, Canada census records. I'm questioning if this is possible or if these are, more likely, two different individuals. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

First 1901 census (Manitoba - Brandon District), my gr-gr grandfather is recorded as living with his son (my great grandfather) and family. I can confirm this is my great grandfather and his family. This census is dated 17 April.

The other 1901 census (Manitoba - McDonald District) has him recorded as living with his unmarried daughter. The previous 1891 census for this same district lists the same individuals, including my great grandfather (before he married and moved to Brandon district) and other familiy members. All ages and names are what they should be and I believe this is also my gr-gr-grandfather. This census is dated April 10.

The birth dates for Duncan are different on each census. The McDonald census shows 15 August 1824, and the Brandon Census shows 10 August 1824.

The 1901 census did not record if a person was living outside the district.

Has anyone come across a similar multiple recording of an individual?

Thanks!

[bbart]

Hi there!

I took a look at both censuses, and I actually think the Brandon one does say 15 Aug 1824.  Take a look at the other birth dates down the page, and the zeroes are almost perfect circles.  Look back at his, and it is a very sloppy five.
That said, his gravestone says the 1st!
Someone has kindly written his obituary out from the Portage La Prairie newspaper.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178550416/duncan-mcdougald (corrected to McDougall on the site)

The digital archives at the University of Manitoba have some of the Portage La Prairie newspapers from 1905, but their site must be down for maintenance at the moment as it is not loading.
All I could find is this clip from another paper: https://www.newspapers.com/article/free-press-prairie-farmer-duncan-mcdouga/163008942/

Not often, but it does happen that a person is enumerated twice.  If he had decided to go visit the daughter, or was in the process of moving to her house, each household could have entered him on the census form, particularly if they filled out their form a day or so early, and thought he would be with them.

In one tree I did for a family in BC who were in the process of moving  up north via a paddlewheeler on the Fraser River was entered times. Everyone time the vessel ported, an enumerator made all on board fill out their census forms!

[aghadowey]

OP posted same query two days before this one (lots of replies there)-
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=888551.msg7619419#msg7619419

[bbart]

Argh!
Thanks for the heads up, Aghadowey!

[McDougalls]

Thank you, bbart, for the reply. As aghadowey said, I had posted this previoulsy and then saw this forum topic. These are my first posts, so still learning. 

That's very kind you looked up the censuses. It's good to hear there are many other examples of duplications, and I do think this is the same person.

Thank you for the link to the Portage newspaper, I have not seen that notice. I will be checking out the UofM site.

I have hit a deadend with Duncan, and answering this question is helpful. The earliest I can confirm is his marriage in 1848 and then recorded in an 1851 Ontario census, inlcuding his wife and son. Earlier Canada census only list head of household and he may still be living with parent(s). He is reported to be born in Argyll and its been problematic trying to find his parents. I have ordered a death record for both Duncan and his wife that might provide this info.