Canada Census, 1871 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
Census schedules were taken on large sheets of paper with preprinted rows and columns. The schedules were organized by province and then by census districts and subdistricts. It contains the following nine schedules arranged within subdistricts:


 * Nominal return of the living
 * Nominal return of the deaths within last twelve months
 * Return of public institutions, real estate, vehicles, and implements
 * Return of cultivated land, field products, and plants and fruits
 * Live stock, animal products, home-made fabrics, and furs
 * Return of industrial establishments
 * Return of products of the forest
 * Return of shipping and fisheries
 * Return of mineral products

Following the Constitution Act, 1867, census taking became a federal mandate. The first census was set for 1871 and every ten years thereafter. Thus, the first national Canadian census was conducted in 1871. Enumeration was by census district, except for Prince Edward Island, which was enumerated by lot number. 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 1871.

Citation for This Collection
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Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
Important genealogical information in the 1871 census includes:


 * Full name
 * Age
 * Sex
 * Born within the last 12 months
 * Birthplace
 * Religion
 * Ethnic origin
 * 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. Age can be used to calculate approximate birth year. Use the residence and the birthplace for each person, along with his or her age, to then search other record types. Since the census attempted to record all the people living in a household, it may identify individuals for whom other records simply do not exist.

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.

Known Issues with This Collection
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Related Websites

 * Searchable Online Data Canadian Genealogy &amp; History
 * Library and Archives Canada

Related Wiki Articles

 * Canada
 * Canada Census

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Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Canada Census, 1871." index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 4 April 2012), John Mason, age 29; citing Census Records, reference 181 page 5 line 6 Canadian film C_1126; National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario,FHL microfilm, 293 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.