Canada, Manitoba Census Indexes, 1831-1870 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
These records include card indexes to census records returns of Manitoba (Red River Settlement), Canada, from the years 1831-1856, taken by the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the 1870 provincial census of Manitoba taken under the direction of Canada's Department of Agriculture. The names are listed in alphabetical order. A complete census return is available from the Public Archives of Canada (MG9 E3, Volume3). The first several images of these census collections may include statistical information cards.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Pre-1870 Census
 * Heads of households
 * Age
 * Residence

1870 Census • 2 There is a surname index to this census. Census returns for Manitoba with names of each member of the household were also taken in 1881, 1891, 1901, and 1911.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The name of a relative or place of residence

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the ages listed to determine approximate birth dates and find the family in additional censuses
 * Use the information found in the record to find church and vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family
 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Manitoba.
 * Record Finder
 * Canada Research Tips and Strategies

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Red River Settlement and province of Manitoba typed card index to the nominal census returns, 1832-1870
 * Hudson's Bay Company, Manitoba census records, 1831-1870
 * Gail Morin. Censuses of the Red River Settlement : an index to the censuses for the years 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1835, 1838, 1840 and 1843. Pawtucket, Rhode Island : Quintin Publications, c1998 FHL 971.27 X22mg
 * Eric Jonasson, comp. Surname index to the 1870 census of Manitoba and Red River. Winnipeg, Manitoba : Wheatfield Press, 1981. FHL 971.27 X22j 1870

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Canada, Manitoba Church Records, 1800-1959
 * Canada, Manitoba Probate Records, 1871-1930

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.