Canada Census, 1891 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This Collection will include records for 1891.

Census schedules were taken on large sheets of paper with preprinted rows and columns. The categories are in both English and French. The schedules were organized by province and then by census districts and subdistricts. This collection of the 1891 census contains the population schedules for the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories (Alberta, Assiniboia, and Saskatchewan).

Following the Constitution Act, 1867, census taking became a federal mandate. The first census was set for 1871 and every ten years thereafter. Therefore, the third national Canadian census was conducted in 1891. Enumeration was by census district. Census districts were voting districts, not counties, although most have the same names as counties. For the most part, census districts were synonymous with cities and counties, and subdistricts were synonymous with towns, townships, and city wards. Villages, small towns, and parishes were generally enumerated as part of the township in which they were located. Census district and county boundaries were not always the same.

The first national Canadian census was conducted in 1891.

Canadian census records were taken to enumerate the population for representation, taxation, and other purposes.

The accuracy of the census depended on the knowledge of the informant as anyone in the household, or even neighbors, could give information to the census taker. Some information may have been incorrect or falsified.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
Important genealogical information in the census includes:


 * Full name
 * Age (can be used to calculate an approximate birth year)
 * Sex
 * Relation to head of family
 * Born within the last 12 months
 * Country or province of birth
 * Religion
 * Occupation
 * Married or widowed
 * Town, village, township, or subdistrict of residence

How to Use the Records
Canadian census records are the best source for quickly identifying a family group and their residence.

Microfilm copies are available at many repositories and through interlibrary loan. Generally, more recent censuses are more complete. They can provide information missing in other records.

Since the census attempted to record all the people living in a household, it may identify individuals for whom other records do not exist.

Beginning Your Search
To begin your search, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:


 * Ancestors name
 * Place of birth
 * Approximate year of birth

Searching the Index
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

Using the information
Use the residence, birthplace, and age given in the census for each person to search other record types.

Unable to Find the Information?
When there are no census indexes, look for your ancestor’s location in other kinds of indexes. See Canada Church Records, Canada Directories, Canada Emigration and Immigration, Canada Genealogy, and Canada Land and Property Records and in Wiki articles of the provinces

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Related Websites
Library and Archives Canada (You can find each records image if you use this site)

Related Wiki Articles

 * Canada Census
 * Canada

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Canada Census, 1891." index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 4 April, 2012), Mary Rogers, age 26; citing Census Records, reference library and archives Canada film 30,953_148,093; National Archives of Canada, Ottowa, Ontario, Canada. FHL microfilm, 138 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.