1871 Canadian census

While this was the first national census of Canada, only four provinces were enumerated: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

The questionnaire was on a variety of subjects and asked 211 questions including area, land holdings, vital statistics, religion, education, administration, the military, justice, agriculture, commerce, industry, and finance.

Information was collected in tabular form on population, houses and other buildings, lands, industries, and institutions.

The population section included the age, sex, religion, education, race, and occupation of each person, although not every household answered all 211 questions.

In addition, British Columbia joined the Canadian confederation on July 20, 1871, after the census date of April 2, 1871.