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Help Pages – Canadian Census

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What is the Census?

Census, a survey of the entire population, produces a "snapshot" of data for a specific point in time. Every five years Statistics Canada conducts the Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture to develop a statistical portrait of Canada and its people. The census is a reliable source for describing the characteristics of Canada's people, dwellings and agricultural operations.

Canada's first census was initiated by Intendant Jean Talon in 1666. The first national census of Canada was taken in 1871. Since 1956, the Census of Agriculture and the Census of Population have been taken together every five years. Over the years the frequency of census taking and the number and type of questions has varied. More historical information on the Canadian census can be found at Statistics Canada's History of the Census.

Nominal Census Records

The nominal census (census manuscript) refers to the actual handwritten forms that the census takers filled out as they travelled from house to house. Census returns contain the official enumeration of the Canadian population and list each person individually, with details as to age, sex, country or province of birth, religion, racial or ethnic origin, occupation, marital status and education. Portions of the 1851 census have not survived.

Returns prior to 1851 are rarely complete for any geographical area and most list only the heads of households.

For 1851, 1861 and 1871, there are also some agricultural returns, which list lot and concession numbers of farms, and provide considerable detail such as acreage, livestock and agricultural products. Additional schedules have survived for the 1871 census, including business/industrial returns and schedules of deaths in the preceding year.

Note:

  • Location of the Agricultural Census for 1851 can be found following the personal census of the township; for 1861 following the personal census for the entire county; and for 1871 the entire census is organized into 9 different shedules for each enumeration district.
  • The 1901 returns also include date of birth, year of immigration and address or location of land.
  • Newfoundland did not join Canada until 1949, therefore, historical returns are not included in this collection (many public online sources contain census returns for Newfoundland prior to and including 1945).

Use the nominal census if you are looking for information about a particular individual or a family ancestor.

Location

The library has nominal census returns on microfilm. They are shelved in the GOVREF stacks beginning with the call number GOVREF CA1 AK21. The library's holdings are incomplete. Listed below are the years held.

Online

  • Census databases.
    Library and Archives Canada has developed searchable databases for some nominal census returns. Some years are searchable by name, some by head of household, some by location only.

Indexes

  • 1848 and 1850 Canada West (Ontario) Census Index, GOVREF CS 88.O6 D54
  • Repertoire des recensements du Quebec 1825-1871. GOVREF CA1 AK C09 1825-1871
  • Checklist of Ontario Census Returns. GOVREF CA1 AK C10 1842-1871
  • Catalogue of Census Returns on Microfilm. GOVREF CA1 AK C11 1825-1871
  • Catalogue of Census Returns on Microfilm. GOVREF CA1 AK C11 1661-1881
  • Catalogue of Census Retuns on Microfilm. GOVREF CA1 AK C11 1666-1891
  • Catalogue of Census Returns on Microfilm. GOVREF CA1 AK C11 1901
  • ArchiviaNet
    Search for relevant microfilm reel numbers for nominal census returns. Coverage: 1666-1911.
  • Index to the 1881 Census of Ontario, Ontario Gealogical Society (names index for various counties). GOVREF HA 741.5 1971 Index...
    Location on the stack near the Nominal census boxes of microfilm.

Reference Tools

  • Tracing Your Ancestors in Canada. National Archives of Canada. GOVREF CA1 AK T69 rev. 1998
  • Canadian Genealogy Centre.
    Library and Archives Canada. Provides information about genealogical resources in Canada.
  • UofG Library Genealogy Subject Guide Links to sources of genealogical information. Canadian and international.

Census Statistics

Answers to the census questionnaires filled out by Canadians are compiled to form a census database. Standard data products, data tables extracted from this Census database, are then published in various formats. These publications contain statistical information about the population, households, and dwellings and families.

Census data is tabulated and disseminated for the following geographic areas. Note that not every variable is included for every geographic area.

  • Canada
  • Provinces and territories
  • Federal Electoral Districts (FED)
  • Census Divisions (CD) and Census Subdivisions (CSD)
  • Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) and Census Agglomerations (CA)
  • Census Consolidated Subdivisions (CCS)
  • Census Tracts (CT)
  • Dissemination Areas (DA) (prior to 2001 Enumeration Areas (EA) )
  • Urban Areas (UA)
  • Designated Places (DP)

Statistics from the Census are available from a variety of locations. The print (or microfilm/mircofiche) version is located in the GOVREF stacks. Selected census data is available on the Statistics Canada Web site and on Estat. Complete census data from 1981 to 2006 is available on TDR — Tri-University Data Resources Web site. (Some data for 1971 and 1976 is also available.)

If you only require basic statistics, the paper products or the Statistics Canada Web site may provide the fastest access. If you need to select various social and economic characteristics of the population from a census area or areas and want to import the data into a statistical package, use the Nesstar Web-Retrieval option on the TDR — Tri-University Data Resources Web site.

Location & Format

In Paper

All census material in paper format is located in McLaughlin Library on the 2nd floor in GOVREF CA1 BS91 ... to CA1 BS99 ... call number range.

The volumes are arranged in chronological order by census year. Collection includes the following census years:

  • 1851 - 2006
  • Note: The Census of Canada for 1870-71 5-volume set — Vol. 4 includes tables from Census years 1665-1871; Vol. 5 includes selected tables from 1606-1871.

Web

Indexes

  • Census 1851-1975, Historical Catalogue of Statistics, p. 213- . GOVREF CA1 BS11 C512

    • Census Geography

    Census geography covers a wide range of geographic areas — from provinces and territories down to city blocks. These geographic areas have boundaries, names/codes, and other information that make it possible to locate them on the ground and to relate census data to them.

    Format

    • Paper Maps (incl. microfilm/fiche)
      • Census maps are available for some years in the GOVREF Census collection on 2nd floor.
    • Electronic Maps (pdf format)
    • Geospatial data files

      Specialized GIS mapping software such as ArcView, ArcGIS or MapInfo is required. The files contain boundaries of standard geographic areas. They are intended for thematic mapping and analysis purposes and can be used with Census of Population, Census of Agriculture or other Statistics Canada data. A variety of other files are available which can be used to enhance the appearance of the map.

      Many of these files are available by subscription and are available through the Data Resource Centre for University of Guelph students, staff and faculty for education and research (contact the Data Resource Centre) at .

    • Canadian Census Geographic Data
      UG users only.
    • Public Access Geospatial data
      Boundary Files from Statistics Canada.

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    Last updated May 27th, 2011 by R.E.C. (details)