1911 Census of Canada

Source Information

This database is an every name index to individuals enumerated in the 1911 Canada Census, the fifth census of Canada since confederation in 1867. In addition, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1911 Census (images are of reels T-20326 to T-20460).

What Areas are Included:

The 1911 census includes nine provinces - Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, and two territories - the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories.

Why Census Records are Important:

Census records provide many details about individuals and families. They are useful for pinpointing individuals and families in a particular time and place and depict certain aspects of their lives. Because of the amount of information provided in censuses, combined with the fact that individuals are generally shown in "family groups", censuses are often the first sources turned to when beginning family history research.

How the Census is Organized:

For the 1911 census each province was divided into census districts. These districts were subsequently divided into sub-districts. Districts were roughly equivalent to electoral districts, cities, and counties. Sub-Districts were roughly equivalent to towns, townships, and city wards.

Enumerator Instructions:

The 1911 Census was begun on 1 June 1911. Enumerators working in the Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories were allowed to begin before 1 June. Individuals were to be enumerated at their usual place of abode, even if they were not at that residence on the night of enumeration. The head of household was to be enumerated first, followed by other members of the household. The head of household was responsible for providing all of the information about the household to the enumerator. The following questions were asked by enumerators:

• Number of dwelling in order of visitation
  
• Number of family, household, or institution in order of visitation
  
• Name of each person whose place of abode was in the household
  
• Place of habitation
  
• Sex
  
• Relationship of person enumerated to the head of household
  
• Marital Status (Single, Married, Widowed, Divorced, or Legally Separated)
  
• Month of Birth
  
• Year of Birth
  
• Age at last birthday
  
• Country or Place of Birth (if Canada, specify province or territory)
  
• Year of immigration to Canada, if an immigrant
  
• Year of naturalization, if formerly an alien
  
• Racial or tribal origin
  
• Nationality
  
• Religion
  
• Chief occupation or trade
  
• Employment other than chief occupation or trade, if any
  
• Employer
  
• Employee
  
• Working on Own Account
  
• Where person is employed (e.g. "in drug store", "on farm", etc.)
  
• Weeks employed in 1910 at chief occupation or trade
  
• Weeks employed in 1910 at other than chief occupation, if any
  
• Hours of working time per week at chief occupation or trade
  
• Hours of working time per week at other occupation, if any
  
• Total earnings in 1910 from chief occupation or trade
  
• Total earnings in 1910 from other than chief occupation, if any
  
• Rate or earnings per hour, when employed by the hour
  
• Value of life or accident/sickness insurance
  
• Cost of insurance from 1 June 1910 - 1 June 1911
  
• Months at school in 1910
  
• Whether able to read and write
  
• Language(s) commonly spoken
  
• Cost of Education in 1910 for persons over 16 years old at college, convent, or university
  
• Whether blind, deaf or dumb, crazy or lunatic, idiotic or silly
  

Note: An abbreviated version of the census form was used to enumerate unorganized areas such as the territories. These abbreviated forms contained a subset of the above listed questions. Therefore, all of the above listed information will not be available for all individuals enumerated in the census.