Census Records - British Columbia
Census returns are a very useful resource for family historians. You can learn a variety of information about your family, e.g. where they were born, where they lived, what they did for a living, their religion, and much more.
Online
Census returns for British Columbia are available online and searchable by surname. When searching, remember that British Columbia joined Confederation in July 1871 so the first Federal Census record would be 1881. Of note, the most recent census is 1921 for national census and 1926 for the prairie census.
Below is a list of websites where you can find Canadian Census records.
- Ancestry Library Edition available at all branches of Surrey Libraries
- FamilySearch.org:
- The 1921 census is not available on this site.
- Automated Genealogy:
- 1901, 1906, 1911 and partial 1851 census available
- Library & Archives Canada:
- Information center for all Canadian censuses (1640-1926) and links to searchable databases.
- 1666-1891 Census:
The library has several copies of a Finding Aid called Catalogue of Census Returns on Microfilm 1666-1891. This book is organized by province, and then town or county with the matching microfilm numbers noted for each location. - Prairie Census 1906, 1916, 1926
These are special census records released for the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. There is a binder marked “1916 Census,” located on the census book shelves near the print directories, which summarizes the census districts and sub-districts by name.
To find the corresponding microfilm number for a certain location, see the list in the binder of film numbers and areas covered on each reel. - 1901-1921 Census:
These Census records are mostly available online, but the Cloverdale Family History department does hold some extracts in print. Please ask a Family History staff person for assistance.
Census Indexes: If you prefer to view Census Records in print, rather than online or on microfilm, the Family History department has some finding aids and census extracts. To find a census in print, please check our library catalogue with the keyword search “Canadian Census.” An example:
Obee, Dave. Counting Canada: a genealogical guide to the Canadian Census. Library call number: GEN 929.371 OBE 2012
Microfilm
The Family History department has some items in print which can help you identify the correct microfilm for your ancestor. You need to know the location – town, county, province to your best knowledge. Generally, most census records are available online, but the department has a large collection of Canadian Census Microfilms.