The Linkage of Microcensus Data and Vital Records: an Assessment of Results on Quebec Historical Population Data (1852–1911)

Abstract

The interconnection between civil records and census data, along with linkage across censuses, can substantially broaden and enrich the avenues of research in both the social and the biological sciences. Here we present a linkage program developed to match nominative microdata from the Canadian censuses to those from Quebec civil records. We provide a critical assessment of linkage results obtained on two geographical settings by investigating household and individual characteristics that could impact on linkage rates and raise bias issues. The linkage program is at the heart of the construction of the Integrated Infrastructure of the Quebec Population Historical Microdata which will integrate available historical microdata (vital records and census data) on the Quebec population dating back to the beginning of European settlement.