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AI-Assisted Handwriting Transcription of the 1931 Canadian Census

Accountable

Library and Archives Canada (LAC)

Functional Modes

Sensing (Perceptive AI)

Human decides

Purpose

Research & Development

Input Dataset

Sensitive personal information Identifiable data

Algorithm or Model

Classification & Prediction

Output Dataset

Sensitive personal information Identifiable data

Details

This system uses artificial intelligence and handwritten text recognition (HTR) to automatically read and index approximately 10 million names from digitized images of the 1931 Canadian Census. It was developed by Ancestry using proprietary AI, in partnership with FamilySearch, with digitized records provided by Library and Archives Canada. The resulting index is publicly accessible and allows Canadians to search for their ancestors in census records. Users should be aware that AI transcription may contain errors inherent to automated handwriting recognition.