Canada Census Mortality Schedules - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
The official enumeration date for this census was April 2, 1871; however, the ages given in the census were to be the ages at their next birthday.

Record History
Following the Constitution Act, 1867, census taking became a federal mandate. The first census was set for 1871 and every ten years thereafter. Therefore, 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 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.

Why This Record Was Created
Mortality schedules are a national level file of death registers. Using the death information, you can search for obituaries, mortuary records, cemeteries, and probate records, all of which may provide additional genealogical information. Mortality schedules also list ages and birthplaces for a time period when births were not always reported. Use this information to look for other records that may provide information about the individual, parents, and siblings.

Record Reliability
Census mortality schedules are usually accurate, but this accuracy depended on the knowledge of the informant and the care of the census enumerator.

Record Description
The schedules consist of large preprinted forms filled in by the census enumerators. The forms are printed in French.

Record Content
Information found in Census Mortality Schedules:


 * Name of Deceased
 * Age of Deceased
 * Born in the last 12 months
 * Religion
 * Place of Birth
 * Month of death
 * Cause of death
 * Marital status
 * Profession or Occupation

How to Use the Record
Using the death information, you can search for obituaries, mortuary records, cemeteries, and probate records, all of which may provide additional genealogical information. Mortality schedules also list ages and birthplaces for a time period when births were not always reported. Use this information to look for other records that may provide information about the individual, parents, and siblings.

Known Issues with This Collection
The Canadian 1916 and 1901 censuses are not available on Histroical Records at this time due to contractual obligations with The Generations Network (TGN). The contract specifies that the index, with links to the images, will be made freely available to the general public on December 19, 2011.

In the meantime, the collections will be available for free to the public through 4,500 FamilySearch family history centers worldwide. Qualified FamilySearch members will also have free home access as soon as FamilySearch implements a new authentication process.

FamilySearch is also indexing pre-1900 Canada census indexes that have no contractual access restrictions and will be free to the public immediately upon completion.

Related Websites
Library and Archives Canada

Related Wiki Articles
Canada Census

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 Mortality Schedules, 1871."index and images, FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org. accessed March 4, 2011), entry for Mary Adams, age 57; citing Archive Records, FHL microfilm 4,397,652; Ontario Archives, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Sources of Information for This Collection
Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.