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What would 'Infidel' mean as a religion on 1891 Canada census?

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  • What would 'Infidel' mean as a religion on 1891 Canada census?

    I was just browsing the 1891 Canadian census for my Kilpatrick name and came across this. Second page down (p16), 8th name - George Kilpatrick. I don't actually think he's one of mine, as he's Irish not Scottish, but why would his religion be listed as 'Infidel'? Could it be because he was a Catholic or maybe an atheist?

    Associated Image(s) - Census of Canada, 1891 - Library and Archives Canada
    My avatar is my Great Grandmother Emma Gumbert

    Sue at Langley Vale

  • #2
    Just 'Googled' and it means 'one without faith'.
    Stella passed away December 2014

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    • #3
      Thanks Stella. I never thought to Google :o

      It just seemed odd, seeing the word 'Infidel' in amongst all the Presbyterians and Methodists.
      My avatar is my Great Grandmother Emma Gumbert

      Sue at Langley Vale

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      • #4
        Sue

        I didn't google - but my first reaction would have been that ''he was not of the faith usually acceptable'' - the Crusaders went off to conquer the infidels!

        So I'd have thought Non-Christian - Hindu/Buddhist/Muslim etc.
        Dorothy G

        searching Gillett (Preston/Sheffield). Campbell and Hepburn in Glasgow

        There's no such thing as a Free Lunch

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        • #5
          I'd take it has him taking the mickey. My Dad always put "druid" on forms that asked for his religion. Remember 2001 lots of people put "Jedi knight" (allegedly)!
          ~ with love from Little Nell~
          Chowns, Dunt, Emms, Mealing, Purvey & Smoothy

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          • #6
            I agree with Nell. He was probably a prototype Jedi Knight! Must be that Irish sense of humour!

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            • #7
              Having said that, I just had a look on Ancestry and according to their 1901 Canadian census transcription (the only one that is specifically searchable by Religion) there were 117 infidels in Canada in 1901. Also, Infidel (IF) appears on a list of Canadian census abbreviations (http://www.afhs.ab.ca/data/census/ontario/centerm.html) so it must have been a recognised repsonse at the time.
              Last edited by Richard in Perth; 24-02-09, 00:41.

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              • #8
                richard the lionheart fought the 'infidel' saladin.

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                • #9
                  Thank you all for your replies. I did think it might be the response of a very religious enumerator who maybe thought that if you weren't of a recognised religion, you must be an 'infidel'.

                  Thanks for that link to the abbreviations Richard. Not one I'd come across before and it makes interesting reading.
                  My avatar is my Great Grandmother Emma Gumbert

                  Sue at Langley Vale

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