Canada, Lower Canada Census, 1842 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This collection covers the 1842 census.

Record Description
Census returns are recorded on large sheets of paper that are divided into rows and columns. The schedules were arranged by locality. The records are mostly in English with some in French.

Record Content
Records in this collection usually contain the following information:


 * Name of the head of each family
 * Head of family's trade or profession
 * Number of people living in the family
 * Nationality of each person in the family
 * Marital status of each person in the family
 * Religion of each person in the family

How to Use the Record
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 to search other record types. This census only records the name of the head of household, but that information can be used to identifiy family groups and verify information found in other sources.

Record History
The Lower Canada census was created to enumerate the population. Although the first national Canadian census did not occur until 1871, many local and colonial censuses were taken before this date. The Lower Canada Census 1842 is an example of a census created before the confederation of Canada in 1867.

Why the Record Was Created
This census was created to record and ennumerate the population in the British controlled parts of Canada.

Record Reliability
Census records are generally reliable, but are sometimes subject to inaccurate spellings and accidental or intentional falsification.

Related Websites

 * Gore Township 1842 Census Index
 * Censuses of Canada 1665-1871

Related Wiki Articles

 * Canada Census
 * Canada Census 1851
 * Lower Canada Census 1831 (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Information about creating source citations for FamilySearch Historical Collections is listed in the wiki article Help:How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections.

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 and allow you to avoid duplicate searches later. 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, to avoid duplicating searches without findings.

A suggested format for citations created to document information found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Items of interest in a citation include:


 * Name of the person mentioned in the document
 * File, folder or jacket number
 * Locality
 * Record type
 * Page number
 * Line number
 * Date of entry
 * Digital identification number
 * Film number

You are invited to add source citations for a record in this collection.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Canada, Lower Canada Census, 1842" database amd digital images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 17 February 2012), Miles William, 1842; citing Census Records, digital folder number 004,569,593; Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.