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 Pre-1870 returns of Manitoba (Red River Settlement) census list:
 * Heads of households
 * Age
 * Residence

The 1870  returns of Manitoba (Red River Settlement) list:
 * Heads of households
 * Age
 * Residence
 * Birthplace
 * Race
 * Marital status
 * Name of spouse
 * Age of spouse
 * Children's names and ages
 * Religion

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 the Collection?
You can search the index or view the images or both. To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The name of a relative or place of residence

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page.
 * 1) Select Film Number
 * 2) Select Surname Range

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 Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Copy the citation below, in case you need to find this record again later.
 * 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 Who 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.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Check the info box above for additional FamilySearch websites and related websites that may assist you in finding similar records.

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.

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