Humanities › History & Culture Researching Ancestors in the Canadian Census Searching the Census of Canada Print Apic/Hulton Archive/Getty Images History & Culture Genealogy Vital Records Around the World Basics Surnames Genealogy Fun American History African American History African History Ancient History and Culture Asian History European History Inventions Latin American History Medieval & Renaissance History Military History The 20th Century Women's History View More By Kimberly Powell Kimberly Powell Genealogy Expert Certificate in Genealogical Research, Boston University B.A., Carnegie Mellon University Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy. She teaches at the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on May 30, 2019 Canadian census returns contain the official enumeration of the population of Canada, making them one of the most useful sources for genealogical research in Canada. Canadian census records can help you learn such things as when and where your ancestor was born, when the immigrant ancestor arrived in Canada, and the names of parents and other family members. Canadian census records officially go back to 1666, when King Louis XIV requested a count of the number of landowners in New France. The first census conducted by the national government of Canada didn't occur until 1871, however, and has been taken every ten years since (every five years since 1971). To protect the privacy of living individuals, Canadian census records are kept confidential for a period of 92 years; the most recent Canadian census to be released to the public is 1921. The 1871 census covered the four original provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. 1881 marked the first coast-to-coast Canadian census. One major exception to the concept of a "national" Canadian census, is Newfoundland, which was not a part of Canada until 1949, and thus was not included in most Canadian census returns. Labrador was, however, enumerated in the 1871 Census of Canada (Quebec, Labrador District) and the 1911 Canadian Census (Northwest Territories, Labrador Sub-district). Read More Researching Ancestors in the British Census By Kimberly Powell What You Can Learn From Canadian Census Records National Canadian Census, 1871-1911The 1871 and later Canadian census records list the following information for each individual in the household: name, age, occupation, religious affiliation, an birthplace (province or country). The 1871 and 1881 Canadian censuses also list the father's origin or ethnic background. The 1891 Canadian census asked for the parents' birthplaces, as well as identification of French Canadians. It is also important as the first national Canadian census to identify the relationship of individuals to the head of household. The 1901 Canadian census is also a hallmark for genealogy research as it asked for the complete birth date (not just the year), as well as the year the person immigrated to Canada, the year of naturalization, and the father's racial or tribal origin. Canada Census Dates The actual census date varied from census to census, but is important in helping to determine an individual's probable age. The dates of the censuses are as follows: 1871 - 2 April1881 - 4 April1891 - 6 April1901 - 31 March1911 - 1 June1921 - 1 June Where to Find the Canadian Census Online Ancestry.com FamilySearch Historical Records Automated Genealogy Library and Archives of Canada Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Powell, Kimberly. "Researching Ancestors in the Canadian Census." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/researching-ancestors-in-the-canadian-census-1421726. Powell, Kimberly. (2020, August 27). Researching Ancestors in the Canadian Census. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/researching-ancestors-in-the-canadian-census-1421726 Powell, Kimberly. "Researching Ancestors in the Canadian Census." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/researching-ancestors-in-the-canadian-census-1421726 (accessed April 25, 2024). copy citation