1901 Canadian Census

The 1901 Canadian census saw the same number of provinces in the census. The North West Territories had been subdivided to form the Yukon Territory, and although the balance was still called the North West Territories, it had been carved up into additional territories within its borders. It included the following:

• British Columbia
• Manitoba (as it then was - quite small as compared to today
• Ontario
• Quebec
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• the Yukon Territory
• The NorthWest Territories, which included 7 districts:
  • Alberta
  • Assiniboia
  • Athabasca
  • Franklin
  • Mackenzie
  • Saskatchewan and
  • Ungava
• the District of Keewatin

Map of Canadian provinces, 1901.
Source: Wikipedia Commons

The questions on the 1901 Canadian census were to be answered as of March 31, 1901, no matter what date the enumeration actually occurred. Everyone who normally resided in the household as of that date was to be included, regardless of whether they actually spent the night there.

This census saw a major overhaul to the questions on the schedule. While the basic name, age, and relationship to head of household were still there, for the first time, race was recorded. The census page was again bilingual (French and English). There was a stronger emphasis on employment, with people being asked how much they earned from their principal occupation, and how much from other types of employment.

The questions asked on the 1901 Canadian census were as follows:

• Numbered in the order of visitation
• Dwellings
• Families
• Personal Description
• Name of each person in household on March 31
• Sex
• Color
• Relation to head of family
• Single, married, widowed, or divorced
• Month and date of birth
• Year of birth
• Age at last birthday
• Citizenship, nationality and religion
• Country or place of birth
• Year of immigration
• Year of naturalization
• Racial or tribal origin
• Nationality
• Religion
• Principal profession or trade
• Profession, occupation, trade, or means of living of each person
• Living on own means
• Employer
• Employee
• Working on own account
• Wage Earners
• Working at trade in factory or in home
• Months employed at trade in factory
• Months employed at trade in home
• Months employed in other occupation than trade in factory or home
• Earnings from occupation or trade
• Extra earnings other than from chief occupation or trade
• Education and language of each person five years of age and over
• Months at school in year
• Can read
• Can write
• Can speak English
• Can speak French
• Mother tongue (if spoken)
• Infirmities
• a. deaf and dumb
• b. blind
• c. unsound mind

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