The National Registration of 1918
During WW1 National Registration was held throughout Canada. All individuals over the age of 16 were required to register on 22 June 1918. Citizens were reminded of the upcoming mandatory registration throughout the first part of 1918.
Questions asked included name, address, age, date and country of birth, citizenship, year of immigration, marital status, state of health and occupation. Every individual was then issued with a Registration Card which they were required to carry with them at all times.
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It was a serious offence to not have this card with you at all times, as seen in this newspaper item from July 1918.
Following are the list of questions asked on the forms. Unfortunately the forms were filled out and collected but were not kept. If you are lucky enough to find a Registration Card for this time period, treasure it.
Questions on the National Registration Form for Women
- Name in full (surname last)
- Age
- Permanent Address (Street, Town, Province)
- Nationality? Can you speak English? French?
- British subject? By Birth? Naturalization? Marriage?
- Are you single? Married? Widowed? Divorced?
- How many children or wards under 10? Will these children be recorded by another registrant?
- Do your health and home ties permit you, if required, to give full time paid work? (Registrants answering “NO” here need not answer any of the following questions. If answering “YES” or in doubt, should fill up rest of card. All must sign affirmation)
- Do your circumstances permit you to live away from home?
- What is your present main occupation? a) If in business as employer, state number of employees b) If an employee, state name, business and address of employer c) If full time voluntary worker, state name of Society served
- State particulars of each, if you have a) Trade or profession b) Degree, diploma or certificate c) Special training
- State length of experience (in years) if any in: (a) General farming (b) Truck farming (c) Fruit farming (d) Poulty farming (e) Dairy farming
- Can you (a) Drive a tractor? (b) drive a motor car? (c) drive a horse? (d) harness a horse? (e) do plain cooking?
- Indicate here any qualifications or practical experience which you possess, not already described
- Considering your health, training and experience, and the national needs, in what capacity do you think you could serve best?
- Do your circumstances permit you to give regular full-time service without renumeration?
National Registration Cards
* National Registration Ad [Red Deer News, 5 June 1918, page 1]
* Card for Females The form women were asked to fill out [Red Deer News, 12 June 1918, page 1]
* National Registration Ad [Red Deer News, June 19, 1918, Page 1]
* 1918 National Registration Certificate Issued to Alex. A. Kalinakoff in Saskatchewan 22 June 1918
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