Canada, Prince Edward Island Census, 1861 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
These records include a population census of Prince Edward Island that was recorded in 1861. Prince Edward Island was not yet part of the Dominion of Canada. The records also includes agricultural censuses at the end of each county or township. Census schedules were taken on large sheets of paper with pre-printed rows and columns. They are bound into volumes, arranged by county, then by township and enumeration district. Canadian census records were taken to enumerate the population for representation, taxation, and other purposes.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

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 date of the event

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
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * Try searching by surname only
 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in Prince Edward Island.
 * Prince Edward Island Guided Research
 * Prince Edward Island Record Finder
 * Prince Edward Island Search Strategies

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

FamilySearch Catalog

 * edited by Terrence M. Punch with George F. Sanborn, Jr., Genealogist's handbook for Atlantic Canada research 2nd ed. Boston, Massachusetts : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1997, c1989 FS Library 971.5 D27pt 1997
 * Census of Canada, 1861
 * Master name index of the Prince Edward Island Museum & Heritage Foundation
 * Master name index, part 2 (Prince Edward Island Museum & Heritage Foundation)
 * Probate records, 1807-1958; indexes, 1786-2000
 * Land registry records (conveyance ledgers), 1769-1872
 * Prince Edward Island township ledgers, 1850-1954, 1981 (most dates between 1866 and 1900)

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Canada Census, 1881
 * Canada Census, 1891
 * Canada Census, 1901
 * Canada Census, 1911

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Duncan Campbell, History of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown [P.E.I. : Bremner Bros., 1875]

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.