Questions on the 1861 Census for Canada - Personal Section

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QUESTIONS ASKED ON THE 1861 PERSONAL CENSUS

(THE NAMES OF ALL FAMILY MEMBERS ARE LISTED)

INTRODUCTION

With thanks to Hugh Armstrong, who gathered the information as to what questions were asked on every Canadian census. Hugh's website was an invaluable resource, but Hugh, and his site are long gone from the Internet. So that Hugh's hard work would not be lost, I saved the pages and placed them online on AllCensusRecords.com. Enjoy! And remember to silently thank Hugh for his hard work.

The introduction to the 1851 census also applies to this census although not as much of this census is missing.

Of special note is the 'married during the year' question (#4). This was not always checked however some enumerators misunderstood the question and entered the year married.

The Other Form

The microfilm copies of the census of many cities uses a different form. It was a form that was dropped off at all residences, filled in by the residents and then collected by the enumerators. A sample of this form from the 1861 Toronto census films.

Both sides of the form were microfilmed. This makes searching these censuses difficult because each screen has few names. Other problems are created because the average citizen had poor handwriting, inferior spelling skills than most enumerators and frequently misunderstood or ignored questions. On the other hand some citizen added more details than required. Most notably in place of birth, many people would enter towns or parishes rather than a country. Also the 'remarks' section attracted budding authors. This was their chance to tell ther family history or vent their anger against the establishment. Check out the way W.R. Brown answered the questions.

1861 - PERSONAL CENSUS

1. NAMES OF INMATES
2. PROFESSION TRADE or OCCUPATION
3. PLACE OF BIRTH
4. Married during the year
5. RELIGION
6. RESIDENCE IF OUT OF LIMITS
7. Age next Birthday
8. Sex: Male
9. Sex: Female
10. Married or Single
11. Widowers
12. Widows
13. Colored Persons, Mulatto or Indian
14. Residents: Members of Family, M
15. Residents: Members of Family, F
16. Residents: Not members, Male
17. Residents: Not members, F
18. Members of Family absent: M
19. Members of Family absent: F
20. Deaf and Dumb
21. Blind
22. Lunatics or Idiots
23. Attending School within the year: M
24. Attending School within the year: F
25. Persons over 20 who cannot read & write: M
26. Persons over 20 who cannot read & write: F
27. Births in 1860: M
28. Births in 1860: F
29. Deaths in 1860: No. - M
30. Deaths in 1860: No. - F
31. Age and Cause of Death
32. Houses: Brick, Stone, Frame, Log, etc
33. Houses: No. of Stories
34. Houses: No. of Families living in house
35. Houses: Vacant
36. Houses: Being built

LIVE STOCK, etc., OF TOWNSPEOPLE AND PERSONS NOT FARMERS

(Questions 37 through 41 were only intended to apply to live stock of persons resident in cities, towns, villages, etc., and who are not farmers. The live stock of farmers was to be enumerated in the agricultural census.)

37. Horses
38. Cows
39. Sheep
40. Pigs
41. Value of Live Stock in Dollars
42. Carriages for Pleasure
43. Value of the same in dollars
44. Carriages for hire
45. Value of same in dollars
46. Quantity of Land attached to tenement
47. Name of Business or Manufacture
48. Capital Invested in Business in Real and Personal Estate

RAW MATERIAL USED EXCLUSIVE OF FUEL

49. Quantities
50. Kinds
51. Value
52. What motive, power or machinery
53. Average no. of hands employed - Male
54. Average no. of hands employed - Female
55. Average cost per month of male labor
56. Average cost per month of female labor

ANNUAL PRODUCT OF BUSINESS OR MANUFACTURE

57. Quantities
58. Kind
59. Value
60. REMARKS

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