The Data

The database includes information returned from a randomly-selected 5% of the enumerators' manuscript pages, each of which describes 25 people. An additional 5% of census pages for western Canada and several large cities augment the basic sample. We also include all persons returned in hospitals, asylums and other dwellings with more than 30 residents and all persons living in three Ontario communities (London, Stratford, Guelph and surrounding rural townships).

A sample page of data returned in the spring of 1891 by the enumerator for St. Andrew's Ward Toronto (district 119, subdistrict A, p. 7) may be viewed here. The instruction manual given to enumerators in 1891 may be viewed here.

Updated Dec. 2008. Image by W.T. Sabel, published L'Opinion Publique (7 Juillet 1881 - Vol. XII, No.27)