Canada Census, 1871 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Canada 1871 Census Index--This article describes a collection that is available for free online at FamilySearch record Search--Pilot Site. To access the collection, see Canada 1971 Census Index

Collection Time Period
The first national Canadian census was conducted in 1871.

Collection History
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.

Why this Collection Was Created
Canadian census records were taken to enumerate the population for representation, taxation, and other purposes.

Collection Reliability
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.

Collection 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: 1) Nominal return of the living; 2) Nominal return of the deaths within last twelve months; 3) Return of public institutions, real estate, vehicles, and implements; 4) Return of cultivated land, of field products, and of plants and fruits; 5) Live stock, animal products, home-made fabrics, and furs; 6) Return of industrial establishments; 7) Return of products of the forest; 8) Return of shipping and fisheries; and 9) Return of mineral products.

Collection 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 Collection
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.

Bibliographic Information
Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

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Canada Census