Canada Census, 1901 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Canada

What is in This Collection?
The census day for Canada was March 31st, 1901. This is important because the census represents the country on this exact day, not necessarily the entire year. The national government of Canada has taken censuses every ten years since 1871 and every five years since 1971. The 1871 census covers the four original provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. The first coast-to-coast census was taken in 1881. Newfoundland was not part of Canada until 1949. For Newfoundland, there are few found 19th-century censuses that list names. They mostly contain statistical summaries.

The 1901 census also contains a buildings and lands schedule for each locality. This schedule gives a city street address or a farm land description—such as township and range, or township, concession, and lot number—for most families.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:


 * Names of family members
 * Gender
 * Place of birth and approximate year of birth


 * Age
 * Marital status
 * Religion

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The name of a relative or place of residence

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the ages listed to determine approximate birth dates and find the family in additional censuses
 * Use the information found in the record to find church and vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records
 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in Canada.
 * Canada Record Finder
 * Canada Research Tips and Strategies

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Doris Bourrie. Researching Canadian census records. 2nd ed. Toronto, Ontario : Heritage Productions, 2003. FS Library 971 X27b 2003
 * Dave Obee ; Jutta Missal, ed., Counting Canada : a genealogical guide to the Canadian census Victoria, British Columbia : D. Obee, c2012. FS Library 971 X27o
 * Census schedules, 1901
 * Canada census, 1901

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.