1851/52 census for the Province of Canada included the provinces of Ontario and Quebec only. However, prior to joining Canada as a founding province in 1867, New Brunswick conducted its own censuses independent of the other British North American provinces and colonies. The New Brunswick 1851 Census was synchronized with the rest of the British Empire but was authorized by acts of the New Brunswick legislature and conducted by the government of New Brunswick.

The 1851 Census was not a complete success because people believed that the information collected by the Census Taker would be used to determine taxation, and so they did not always answer the questions truthfully. To add to the problem enumerators were not fully trained in their duties. For example, the 1851 Census listed more living children under one year of age than the total number of births recorded in the previous 12 months.

This could possibly be explained by the length of time that had elapsed between the date the census was supposed to have been taken and when it was actually taken. The lapse of time could have introduced an apparent variation of one year in the ages of individuals particularly in 1851. Here is the official date for each Census year when that Census was assumed to be taken:
1851 - Enumerated 12 Jan 1852
1861 - Enumerated 14 Aug 1861
1871 - Enumerated 2 Apr 1871
1881 - Enumerated 4 Apr 1881
1891 - Enumerated 6 Apr 1891
1901 - Enumerated 31 Mar 1901

AGES - There were other issues that could have effected the accuracy of the ages given on a census. The lack of records made it necessary to rely on memory. The person in the household acting as informant may not have known or remembered the age and so only guessed. And of course, there were times when people flat out lied about their age and the ages of those in the household. Copying errors were another problem which introduced errors.

Probably the most significant thing that caused incorrect ages to appear in the 1851 Canadian Census was how the question was phrased. In the 1851 and 1861 Census enumerators were to ask, "How old will you be at your next birthday?" (even if a birthday had just passed). From the 1871 Census and forward they were to ask, "How old are you now?" Since enumerators had not been fully trained in their duties chances are they may not have phrased the question exactly the same way for each household.

Considering the inaccuracy of some of the age data in the 1851 Census, it is best to take the age + or - 5 years. Never assume the age is accurate but only an estimate.

As the above dates show the 1851 census was taken nine months late. This not only added an extra year to some ages but also created the possibility that an immigrant family could possibly show up in 2 censuses. It is possible they could show up in a census in Canada as well as one on the other side of the Atlantic.

NAMES - There were many misspellings of names in the censuses.
The reasons may include:
a) Many people did not know how to spell their own names.
b) Enumerators may not have known how to spell the name either.
c) Enumerators might have heard the name incorrectly because of the heavy accent of the respondent.
d) Copying errors might have occurred when the name was copied to the final record.
e) Nicknames may have been used.
f) A formal name may have been used rather than the name by which the person was commonly known.
g) Unfortunately some enumerators listed married women as Mrs. instead of writing her first name.
h) Enumerators may also have only used initials for the given names.
i) Illegible handwriting of the enumerator or bad filming of the census record may have made it difficult to identify your ancestor's name in the schedule.
On the plus side sometimes you will find that in some enumeration districts married women have been listed with their maiden names.

Each Census consists of two parts, the Personal Census and the Agricultural Census.

Nominal Census or Personal Census
The name Nominal Census and Personal Census refer to the same enumeration of the population. These returns list the names, ages, sex, etc of each person in the household. The personal census pages are continuously numbered from one, thus sub-districts may only be indicated at the top of each page, or there may be a written description or a hand drawn map at the beginning of each sub-district.

In the census enumeration, the provinces were divided into census districts which were divided into sub-districts. A census district usually covered a large city or a county, sub-districts were towns, townships, and city wards; villages, small towns, and parishes were generally enumerated as part of the township in which they were located. Census districts and county boundaries did not always coincide.

Agricultural Census
The agricultural census for each county is usually in one continuously numbered section after the last township of the Personal Census is listed. The name of each township is written at the top of the appropriate page and includes a sub-district number. Only heads of households were listed in the Agricultural Census.

A few of the 1851 Census enumerations for individual counties have been extracted and appear online. Many others are available at the Catalogue of Census Returns on Microfilm 1666-1901 found at the Canadian National Archives site.

Currently MyTrees.com has the only 1851 Canadian Census of Sunbury County, New Brunswick online for searching. However more are currently being extracted and will be available soon. So keep checking back. Links to other sites with online extracted records for the 1851 Canadian Census are provided at the bottom of this article.
Questions asked on the 1851/52 Census - PERSONAL CENSUS
Note that these are not the same questions asked in the 1851 census of New Brunswick.

1. Names of Inmates
2. Profession Trade or Occupation
3. Place of birth
4. Religion
5. Residence if outside of limits
6. Age next birthday
7. Sex: Male
8. Sex: Female
9. MARRIED or SINGLE
10. Colored person - Negroes
11. Indians, if any
12. Residents: members, M
13. Residents: members, F
14. Residents: non-members, M
15. Residents: non-members, F
16. Members absent: M
17. Members absent: F
18. Deaf & Dumb: M
19. Deaf & Dumb: F
20. Blind: M
21. Blind: F
22. Lunatics: M
23. Lunatics: F
24. Attending School: M
25. Attending School: F
26. Births during the year 1851: No. M
27. Births during the year 1851: " F
28. Deaths during the year 1851: " M
29. Deaths during the year 1851: " F
30. Age and cause of Deaths

HOMES

31. Brick, Stone, Frame, Log, Shanty, or other kinds of residence
32. No. of stories
33. No. of families occupying
34. Vacant
35. Building
36. Shops, Stores, Inns, Taverns etc.
37. Public Buildings
38. Places of Worship
39. Information as to Mills, Factories etc., their cost, power, produce, etc.
40. Number of persons usually employed therein
41. General Remarks of the Enumerator

*************
Some Abbreviations used on the 1851 Census
RELIGION OF OCCUPANT
A - Anglican.......................ME - Methodist
AA - African Association Baptist...ME - Methodist Episcopalian
AD - Adventists....................MEN - Mennonite
AP - American Presbyterian.........MI - Methodist Independent
AT - Atheist.......................MO - Mormon
BA - Baptist.......................MN - Mennonite
BB - Bible Believer................MNC - Methodist New Connection
BC - Bible Christian
BE - British Episcopal Methodist...MO - Moravian
BR - Brethren......................MS - Messiah
BWM - British Wesleyan Methodist....MV - Moravian
CB - Christian Brethren............NC - New Connexion Methodist
CC - Christian Conference Baptist..NG - Not Given
CD - Christadelphian...............NP - N. Presbyterian
CE - Church of England, Anglican...NR - No Religion
CI - Church of Ireland.............OB - Other Baptist
CM - Calvinistic Methodist.........OM - Other Methodist
CN - Christian.....................OP - Other Presbyterian
C/CO- Congregationalist.............PA - Pagan
CP - Canada Presbyterian/C.Presb...PB - Plymouth Brethren
CS - Church of Scotland/Kirk/Scotch Presbyterian
CX - Church of Christ..............PB - Primitive Baptist
DE - Deist.........................PE - Est. Presb.
DI - Disciple of Christ............PFC - Presbyterian Free Church
DR - Dutch Reform..................PM - Primitive Methodist
EA - Evangelical Association.......PR - Protestant
EB - Evangelical Baptist...........PS - Presbyterian
EL - Evangelical Lutheran..........PU - Puritan
EM - Episcopal Methodist...........QU - Quaker/Friends
EP - Episcopal(ian)................RB - Reformed Baptist
EU - Evangelical Union.............RC - Roman Catholic
EUB - Evangelical United Brethren...RE - Reformed Episcopalian
EV - Evangelical...................RM - Regular Methodist
FK - Free Kirk/ Free Presb., etc...RP - Reformed Presbyterian
FR - Friends (Quakers).............SB - Southern Baptist
FP - Free Presbyterian.............SD - Seventh Day Adventist
FT - Free Thinker (of England).....SF - Society of Friends
FW - Free Will Baptist/Free Christian..SP - Spiritualist
GB - Regular Baptist/see also RB....SW - Swedenborgian / New Jerusalem
IF - Infidel.......................TB - True Baptist
IL - Illegible.....................TM - True Methodist
IM - I. Methodist E................TU - Tunker
IN - Independent...................UB - United Brethren
IP - Irish Presbyterian............UB - Ukrainian Baptist
IR - Irvingite/Catholic Apostolic..UN - United Baptist
JM - J. Methodist E............UP - United Presbyterian/U.Kirk Presbyterian
JU - Jew
KB - Close Communion Baptist.......UT - Unitarian
LD - Latter Day Saints.............UV - Universalist
LU - Lutheran/Evangelical Lutheran.VM - Evangelical Methodist
MC - I. Methodist C................WM - Wesleyan Methodist
MD - Mohammedan/Muslim.............WP - W. Presbyterian
XC - C. C. Baptist

PROFESSION, OCCUPATION OR TRADE

ADJUTANT GEN - Adjutant General........LIVERY S KEEPER - stable
APPRENTCE - Apprentice.................LOCK TENDR - Lock tender
ATT - Attorney.........................LT COL- Lieutenant-Colonel
BARRISTER DJ - Department of Justice...LUMBERMERCH - Lumber merchant
BLASMITH - Blacksmith..................MANUFR - Manufacturer
BLK SMITH - Blacksmith.................MD - Medical Doctor
CARP - carpenter.......................M DOCTOR - Medical doctor
CENGINEER - civil......................MECH - mechanic
CHIEF CON OF POL - chief constable.....M ENGINEER
CIVIL SER - service....................MER/MERCH. - merchant
CLERK DIV COURT........................MESS H OF C - House of Commons
CLK - Clerk............................MFR - manufacturer
COM'L TRAVELLER - commercial...........MI/MIN - Minister
C SERVICE- Civil Service...............MILLWRT - Millwright
CUSTOMS HSE OFFICER - House............MILL SAYER - sawyer
DIVISION CT BAIFIFF....................M MARINER- Master mariner
DOCTOR MED - medicine..................MP - Member of Parliament
DR - Doctor............................MPP - Member Provincial
EMIG AGENT - emigration................NG - not given
ENG`R - Engineer.......................OPER/OPP - Operator
F/FARM - Farmer........................PEN - Unknown code
FL - Farm laborer......................PHYS - Physician
F LAB - Farm laborer...................PLS - Provincial Land Surveyor
FRM LAB - Farm laborer................P O - Post Office
GENTL - Gentleman......................PO DEPARTMENT
G MERCHANT - General Merchant..........PROF - Professor
GNR - Grand National RR................PROP'R - Proprietor
GRA SCH TEACH - grade school teacher...R CONDUCTOR - railway
G T/GTR - Grand Trunk RR..............RD MASTER - road master
GWR - Great Western RR.................RR,R/R,R ROAD - Railroad
HC/H of C - House of Commons...........SALEMAN/SP
H KEEPER - housekeeper.................SCHOOL MISTR - mistress
H SERVANT - house servant..............SCHOOL TEAC - School teacher
INS AGENT - Insurance Agent............SECY - secretary
INS MANAGER............................SERV/SERVT - servant
JOINER P W DEPT - Public Works.........SEXTON PRESB CHU - Sexton
J P - Justice of the Peace.............S MASON - Stone Mason
L/LAB - Laborer........................STA. MASTER - Station Master
LAW COM OF CUSTOMS.....................TELEG OPERATOR - telegraph
T. GATE - Toll gate
VETY SURGEON - veterinarian

ETHNIC ORIGIN

AMER - American........LC/U CAN - Lower Canada
DUCH - Dutch...........NG - Not Given
ENG - English..........O/ONT - Ontario
GER/GERM - German......SCOT - Scottish
IRE - Ireland..........UC/U CAN - Upper Canada
US - United States

COUNTRY OR PROVINCE OF BIRTH

B W INDIES - British West Indies..NFL/NFLD - Newfoundland
C.E. - Canada East................NG - Not Given
C.W. - Canada West................NI - Native Canadian
C.B. - Cape Breton................NS/N.S. - Nova Scotia
E. INDIES - East Indies...........PEI - Prince Edward Island
GERM - Germany....................PE ISLAND - Prince Edward Island
INDIA W...........................PQ/Q/QU/QUE - Quebec
ISL - Iceland.....................U CANADA - Upper Canada
L.C. - Lower Canada (Quebec)......W. INDIES - West Indies
NB/N.B. - New Brunswick

Parts of the 1851 Census appear online at various sites. Here are a few links to sites that have posted parts of the Census.

Ontario Gen Web Census Project
http://ontariocensus.rootsweb.ancestry.com/

Ontario Census Records
http://www.afhs.ab.ca/registry/regon_census51.html

Ontario Genealogical Society
http://www.ogs.on.ca/ogspi/5/5.htm

Kingston Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
http://www.kingston.ogs.on.ca/resources/census/1851/index.html

Erin Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Records
http://www.rootsweb.com/~oncerin/Wellington.htm

1851 Hinchinbrooke Census Transcription,Huntingdon County, Quebec
http://www.rootsweb.com/~qchuntin/1851hinc.htm

1851 Census of New Brunswick
http://automatedgenealogy.com/censusnb51/

Census of 1851 Basic Search
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/1851/001005-100.01-e.html

1851 CENSUS DELAWARE TOWNSHIP, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ONTARIO, CANADA
INDIAN SETTLEMENT (ONEIDA)
http://www.angelfire.com/on3/oneida/page99.html

The 1851 Ontario Canadian Census of Hastings County
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~onhastin/Census/1851/1851ab.htm

1851 Census Records Laurentides, Deux-Montagnes, Saint-Eustache
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~qclauren/recdata/steadele1851.htm http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~qclauren/recdata/steustache1851.htm

1851 List of Inhabitants in Terrebonne, Paroisse de Sainte-Adele
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~qclauren/listes/adele1851.htm

Indexes to Census Halton County 1842 - 1901
http://www.halinet.on.ca/localhistory/census.htm

Review written by Cindy Carman