1851 Canada Census

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1851 Canada Census

1,364,567 records

The 1851 census of Canada enumerated the population living in Canada East (present-day Quebec), Canada West (present-day Ontario), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Though this collection is known as the 1851 census, only Nova Scotia and New Brunswick completed their census enumerations within the 1851 calendar year. Census collections in Canada East and Canada West did not officially begin until January 12, 1852. As Canada did not officially become a country until 1867, the 1851 census was not a national census. As such, unique forms were used for each province. In Canada West and Canada East, two different census schedules were used—one for urban areas, and one for rural areas. These schedules recorded information such as name, gender, age, marital status, birthplace, occupation, and religion. Additional questions recorded information relating to disabilities of individuals, vital statistics, housing and buildings, livestock, and manufacturing. In Canada East questions were asked in either French or English. New Brunswick used a fairly short census schedule and only recorded the following information: residence, name, gender, relationship, age, race, occupation, date of entering the colony, whether sick or infirm, and other remarks. In Nova Scotia, only the names of heads of families were recorded. Other individuals in the household were accounted for in age and gender categories. Additional questions recorded statistical information relating to property, vital statistics, employment and occupation, religious denominations, agriculture, and manufacturing. Please note that not all census records have survived, and that some sub-districts may be entirely missing from this collection. In Canada East and Canada West, the census forms span multiple pages, and therefore multiple images. When researching in these provinces, be sure to click forward in the image viewer in order to see all images relating to a record.

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Sample record

Thomas BainWentworth County, Canada West (Ontario)

Thomas Bain was a Canadian parliamentarian. He was born in Scotland, but was raised in Wentworth County, Ontario. Bain served as a Member of Parliament for 28 years, which included a short time serving as Speaker of the House of Commons.