Canada Census, 1881 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
The first national Canadian census was conducted in 1881.

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. The census 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, field products, and plants and fruits

(5) Livestock, 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

(9) Return of mineral products

Record Content


Important genealogical information in the census includes:


 * Full name
 * Age (can be used to calculate an approximate birth year)
 * 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. Use the residence, birthplace, and age given in the census for each person to 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 do not exist.

Record History
Following the Constitution Act in 1867, census taking became a federal mandate. The first census was set for 1871 and every ten years thereafter. Therefore, the second national Canadian census was conducted in 1881. 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, while 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.

Record 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.

Related Web Sites
Library and Archives Canada

Related Wiki Articles

 * Canada
 * Canada Cansus

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should also 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 Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections.

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection
"Canada Census, 1881." index and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch,org: accessed March 4, 2011), entry for Janet Clark, age 38; citing Census Records, FHL microfilm 1,375,799; Public Archives of Canada, Ottowa, Ontario.

Sources of Information for This Collection:
"Census schedules, 1881," index, FamilySearch Record Search; from Canada. Department of Agriculture. "Census schedules, 1881," Public Archives Of Canada, Ottowa, Ontario. FHL microfilm, 125 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

The format for citing FamilySearch Historical Collections, including how to cite individual archives is found in the following link: How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections