Enumerators
Judy Miller – Enumerator, west Edinburgh
As a census taker (enumerator) for the 2009 rehearsal Judy Miller delivered and collected questionnaires and provided assistance west Edinburgh householders.
Ms Miller said:
“I originally thought the job was just delivering questionnaires and talking to people but there is more to it than that, such as planning your route and learning all you can about the census so you can answer peoples questions properly. I found this interesting and it was good to be part of the census process.”
Kathanna Latimer - Gaelic speaking enumerator, Lewis & Harris
Gaelic speaker Kathanna Latimer was inspired to apply for her Census Rehearsal Enumerator role in Lewis and Harris following her historic records research. She enjoyed encouraging fellow speakers to take part and fill their census questionnaires.
Ms Latimer said:
“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. You have to be patient and polite when coming face-to-face with the public and you develop your technique as you go along. The fact that you could fill your census questionnaires in Gaelic online was certainly something that encouraged the Gaelic community to take part.”
Emma Mackenzie - Post out enumerator, Lewis & Harris
Emma Mackenzie was an 2001 census taker (enumerator) and took part again in the 2009 Census Rehearsal as a post out enumerator in Lewis and Harris. This involved following up households that had not returned questionnaires.
Each post out enumerator can be responsible for up to 800 households in the census.
Ms Mackenzie said:
"Because I had been an Enumerator before I knew what to expect. As the enumerators job had flexible working hours I was able to fit work around my other commitments.
Ms Mackenzie adds:
"I was able to speak Gaelic when I carried out the follow up work round the doors which I enjoyed and the training before hand helped with dealing with any questions people had. It's important to understand what the job entails and to realise that it is hard work but worthwhile."
Ewan Davidson– enumerator, west Edinburgh
"It was nice to be recognised as the 'census man' in the area and becoming part of the community," said Ewan Davidson.
Mr Davidson was an enumerator in west Edinburgh for the 2009 census rehearsal. He delivered and collected census questionnaires and encouraged the people he met on the doorstep to get involved.
Each hand delivery enumerator can be responsible for up to 450 households in the census.
"Most people I encountered had an awareness of the census and recognised it was an important and worthwhile exercise, which made the job all the more enjoyable."
"The temporary nature of the job appealed to me; it was part time and it gave me a little bit of extra money which I spent on a holiday."
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