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Klondike rush era tax records

Klondike rush era tax records

Posted: 27 Apr 2012 3:09PM GMT
Classification: Query
From what I understand of the Klondike rush in 1897-1899, the Canadian government collected taxes from the gold mined there. I am curious if anyone knows if there is a record of the taxes collected from each of the miners during that period?

I have been searching through the various online Yukon archive sites and have yet to see anything, but I may have not found the right resource. Perhaps any historical records are with the current Canadian tax authority in Ottawa?

Re: Klondike rush era tax records

Posted: 20 Aug 2012 5:30AM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello

An interesting question. A royalty was collected by the Gold Commissioner's office on mined gold and there should be a record somewhere.

Have you contacted the Yukon Archives (in Whitehorse) directly with your query? You can find their website via a Google search. If anyone knows anything about this, they will. You second call might be to the Dawson City Museum (again, they have a webiste). Archives Canada is your third, desperate, call.

I am doing fairly detailed research on the Klondike in this era but have not to date come across such a record.

Re: Klondike rush era tax records

Posted: 20 Aug 2012 12:30PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks for your suggestion, which I had already done with some success. I was able to get tax records for a couple years I asked for from the Yukon Archives by emailing them directly. I was unable to find any mention of the tax records on their finding aids online, so I am not sure what record data set they are in. I had planned on following up with more questions regarding the tax records in the future, but what I would really like to do is go to the archives and look at them, which won't happen anytime soon.

What is the intent of your research on the Klondike, if you don't mind sharing. Are you writing a book?

Re: Klondike rush era tax records

Posted: 20 Aug 2012 10:06PM GMT
Classification: Query
I am researching the involvement of Australians and New Zealanders in the Klondike Gold Rush ("Diggers on the Klondike"), which to date has identified about 700 individuals. The outcome will be a book, as well as articles and conference papers, and perhaps a documentary film. Together with some articles and conference presentations, a short film on some early research has already been made, mainly as a way of explaining the rush to interested Australians and New Zealanders. The Klondike story is not known generally here.

What is the nature of your interest? It is possible I may have some suggestions. (Take care with the "Pan for Gold" Database on-line. It is very useful but it has many omissions and transcription errors, for example with the Boat Registers.)

Your finding about useful records in the Yukon Archives is spot on. Just last week, they helped me establish the government employment of an NZer through a surviving copy of his "timesheet". (Herbert George Herbert)

The Dawson City Museum can also be very helpful.

Re: Klondike rush era tax records

Posted: 21 Aug 2012 2:24AM GMT
Classification: Query
That is an interesting topic for a study. I have read a lot about the Rush and have not seen any focus on your subject.

My interest in the tax records was to try and verify the production of gold from a claim held by a man who married into a distant member of my family. According to newspaper accounts of the day he was said to have made a significant amount on his claim. But, he died shortly after returning from the Klondike and his probate did not indicate any great wealth. Of course the news of the day was full of so much hyperbole it is difficult to believe most of it. But, according to the tax records, which are not available for all years, he did find a reasonable amount of gold.

Re: Klondike rush era tax records

Posted: 25 Sep 2014 1:41PM GMT
Classification: Query
I know that my 3 great uncles who opened up gold claims from 1900 through 1940s did make some gold and I found no tax records except this nugget - on a 1921 census, one listed income for year as $800 CAD. I would imagine that most men would not admit to what they made unless the gold was cleaned in town where the true value of what they pulled out was recorded at the Gold Bureau.

You could check with early censuses and see which ones listed Income as a column heading.

When I visited the Yukon Archives for 3 weeks and daily poured over all the obviously named books and reports and records, I found nothing. If a miner in the 1920s said he made 800, don't you think he is likely to have pulled out 1600 instead? Men resented that they had to pay anything in taxes. You could check the Klonodike Library which is part of the Dawson Museum (online). They will also do research for you - cheaper if you are a member. They are located in Dawson.

I would love to hear more of your research. jderenas@gmail.com

I went to the Yukon knowing that I had 4 men and 2 wives, and returned 2 months later with 22 total relatives and 1 living descendant in Carcross. Now I have found a 2nd living descendant outside of Whtiehorse.

Re: Klondike rush era tax records

Posted: 2 Oct 2014 5:11PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 6 Oct 2014 3:23PM GMT
For some reason Rootsweb is not sending me notifications to my email when someone responds to my messages, which is the reason for this late response. I just happened to come here looking for more answers and saw your note.

I did receive a response to an email inquiry I had sent to the Yukon Archives in May of 2012, which had some of the answers I was seeking. They gave me some data they found in "a ledger of royalties collected on Bonanza Creek and Eldorado Creek and their gulches and tributaries from 1900 to 1901". I got this information from Glenn Iceton at the Yukon Archives, so maybe you met him when you were there? His email at the time was glenn.iceton@gov.yk.ca
I did not find a reference to the ledger in the online finding aids of the Yukon archives.

Because my family came out of the Yukon in 1901, I did not ask for any records past then, so I am unaware of what exists for the later years you are seeking. Maybe Glenn could help you. I know this isn't much help, but it is all I know. Good Luck.
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