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

Collection Time Period
This census was taken in 1861 for the census year 1860.

Record History
The Census contains the 1861 census for the province of Prince Edward Island. Census takers were asked to record information about all those who were in each household on the census day. A census taker might have visited a house on a later date, but the information he collected was supposed to be about the people who were in the house on the census day. Enumeration was by census district. 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 sub districts 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 and there were many variations from location to location. This census covers the population of Prince Edward Island in 1861.

Why this Record 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 and the care of the enumerator. Realize that the information may have been given to a census taker by any member of the family or even by a neighbor. Some information may have been incorrect or deliberately falsified.

Record Description
Census schedules were taken on large sheets of paper with preprinted rows and columns. They are bound into volumes, arranged by county, then by township and enumeration district.

Record Content
This census records only the name of the head of household, along with information about the other members of the household. Key genealogical facts found in the 1861 Prince Edward Island Census are:


 * Name of head of household


 * Number and age of individuals in household
 * Race
 * Religion
 * Residence
 * Profession of head of household

How to Use this Record
This census records the birthplace for each person, along with his or her age, and other personal information. 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.

Related Websites
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Sources of This Collection
Canada. Prince Edward Island. Census returns for Prince Edward Island, 1861. Microfilm. Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.

How to Cite Your Sources
Instructions for citing this source can be found at: Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)