This census includes Canada East (Quebec), Canada West (Ontario), New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Database
This research tool contains 1,469,079 records that are searchable by name. The database entries are in the original language used in the documents. This information was not translated.
Important note: Census returns for some sub-districts have not survived. Consult the list of 1851 Census Districts and Sub-districts to determine whether the records for a district or sub-district exist.
Search Screen
The search screen enables you to search by name of person or by place. The 1851 Census was enumerated by census districts and sub-districts, and the records were compiled accordingly. Therefore, knowledge of the districts and sub-districts is of value in locating either an individual or a geographic location.
To assist with district names and sub-district names, a list of 1851 Census Districts and Sub-districts is provided.
The search screen enables you to search by:
- Keywords
- Surname
- Given Name(s)
- Age
- Province
By clicking on Hide/Show Advanced Search Options, you will also be able to search by:
- District Name
- District Number
- Sub-District Name
- Sub-District Number
- Page Number
Keywords
- Enables you to search any of the fields alone or in combination.
Surname and Given Name(s)
- Search by name of person.
Age
- Enter numerical values only.
- For children under one year of age, fractions were used (for example, for 2 months, "2/12" was indicated).
Province
- Drop-down list enables you to retrieve all the returns for a specific province.
District Name
District Number
Sub-District Name
Sub-District Number
- Assigned for administrative purposes by the designated authorities.
- Unique value within a census district.
- Can be used with a district name or number to quickly retrieve results.
- Not all sub-districts had a number in 1851.
- To determine a valid term, consult the list of 1851 Census Districts and Sub-districts.
When you have entered your search terms, click on "Search". The number of hits found will be shown at the top of the results screen.
How to Interpret the Results
Your search results will be posted as a results summary list from which you will be able to obtain an item description.
Search Results Page
The search results page has a thumbnail image of the census record and displays the following information:
- Census Year (e.g. 1851)
- Item Number
- Surname
- Given Name(s)
- Age
- Province
- District Name
- Sub-District Name
From here you have two options:
- Click on the underlined item number of a person to access the detailed description.
- Click on either JPG or PDF to view the full image. You can print the images or save the images onto your computer.
Item Page
The item page has a digitized image of the actual census page in JPG and PDF formats and contains the following fields:
- Surname
- Given Name(s)
- Gender
- Age
- Place of Birth
- Relationship
- Ethnic Origin (Nationality)
- Province
- District Name
- District Number
- Sub-District Name
- Sub-District Number
- Page Number
- Line Number
- Type of Schedule
- Microfilm Number
- Reference
- Item Number
To suggest a correction, click on the Suggest a Correction link to access an electronic form.
To return to the Search Results page, click the Back button of your browser in the upper left corner of your screen.
How to Obtain Copies
Consult Access the Records for other options such as consulting census records on microfilms. Please do not submit copy requests because we do not provide copies of census records that are already digitized online.
Some of the original documents are very difficult to read. Therefore, some information in the database may be incorrect and/or incomplete. Please note that LAC does not provide transcription and translation services. Contact your local genealogical society for assistance.
Research Tips
The Research Tips section on our main census page includes basic and advanced search tips and strategies. There are also instructions on how to search by place.
Credits
The images for the 1851 Census for the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are presented with the support of the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management. Library and Archives Canada also gratefully acknowledges the contribution of Ancestry.ca to this project.