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

Record Description
These records include card indexes to census records 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 pre-1870 census returns of Manitoba (Red River Settlement) list the heads of households and may also list some other information such as, age, religion, country of birth, married or widowed, number of sons and daughters, and agricultural data (for example, the number of livestock, the number of buildings, and the number of acres under cultivation). Almost all of these censuses were taken by the Hudson’s Bay Company.

The names of each member of the household was taken beginning in 1870. There is a surname index to this census. These census returns may list the heads of households, age, residence, birthplace, marital status, race, name of spouse, age of spouse, children's names and ages, and religion. Census returns for Manitoba with names of each member of the household were also taken in 1881, 1891, 1901, and 1911.

The first several images of these census collections has statistical information cards with the household information beginning around image number 20.

The above link also has the dates and alphabetical lists of the records currently published in this collection.

Record Content
The census records in this collection may contain the following information:


 * Place and date of birth
 * Name of spouse
 * Relationship to the head of household
 * Age at the time of census
 * Household number and page number
 * Citizenship

How to Use the Record
This section provides information on how to search the collection, what to do with information once found, and what to do if no record is found.

When searching: As you are searching, it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as the approximate year, and place of residence.

Search the Collection
To browse by image: To search the collection, you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the "Index Year" category ⇒Select the “Surname Range" category which takes you to the images

Search the collection by image, comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

Using the Information
Carefully examine all the information on the index card; this will give you more information to add to your family records.


 * You can use the age to calculate an approximate birth date.
 * Use the birthplace to locate a birth record.
 * Use the name of spouse to locate a marriage record.
 * Search for the family in the original census records.
 * Search for the family in earlier or later census records to see patterns of migration and additions or losses to family members.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Try searching through the birth registers. This will aid you in finding the birthplace, name of the ancestor recorded, and the residence of the ancestor as well.
 * If you can't find your ancestors in this collection, try searching through the Canadian Census collections.

Related Websites

 * Archives of Manitoba
 * Archives of Hudson’s Bay

Related Wiki Articles

 * Canada History Links
 * Canada Historic Maps
 * Manitoba Census
 * Canadian Censuses Online

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image. Collection Citation

Image Citation