Some of the Records Available to Canadian Researchers
A List and Summary of Records Available to Researchers
at the National Archives of Canada

Census RecordsReturns prior to 1851 are either aggregate (containing no names, just statistics) or list only the heads of households and the total number of persons in the household. For most provinces, the returns of 1851 through 1901 are nominal, listing each person individually, with details as to age, sex, country or province of birth, religion, ethic origin, occupation, marital status and education. The 1901 return also includes date of birth, year of immigration and address or location of land.
N = nominal return, listing all members of the household
HF = heads of family only
ProvinceAvailable Censuses
Newfoundland
Plaisance Only
1691, 1693 N 1704 HF 1921, 1935, 1945 N
1671, 1673 N 1698, 1706, 1711 HF
Acadia1671 - 1753 N and HF
New Brunswick1851 - 1901 N
Nova Scotia1770 - 1838, 1851, 1861 HF 1871 - 1891 N
Prince Edward Island1841, 1861 HF 1881 - 1801 N
Quebec1666 - 1681 N 1825, 1831, 1842 HF 1851 - 1901 N
Ontario1842, 1848, 1850 HF 1851 - 1901 N
Manitoba
Red River Only
1870 - 1901 N
1831 - 1849 HF
Saskatchewan1881 - 1901 N
Alberta1881 - 1901 N
British Columbia
Victoria City
1881 - 1901 N
1891 HF
Yukon1901 N
Notes: 1. Returns prior to 1851 are rarely complete for any geographical area. Portions of the 1851 census have not survived.
2. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Northern British Columbia were enumerated as territories.
3. In 1891, institutions were enumerated separately in one block and appear on reel T-6427.
4. In 1901 most of the Indian agencies were enumerated separately and appear on reels T-6554 and T-6555.
Church Records - Parish RegistersThey only hold some original parish records, as well as transcripts and microfilm copies of others. It comprises only a small fraction of the country and is not comprehensive for any region. Their check list of Parish Registers 1986 lists all the registers in their custody that are available on microfilm, showing dates covered and the reel numbers.
Visitors to the Archives also have access to many published marriage indexes that are not available for loan along with their microfiche copy of the Loiselle Index of Quebec Marriages, published by the National Archives of Quebec.
Marriage BondsThey hold these from Lower Canada (Quebec) 1818 - 1841 with a few scattered items for 1779, 1842 and 1860 (RG 4 B 28), and for Upper Canada (Ontario) 1803 - 1845 (RG 5 B 9). the nominal indexes and the bonds are available on microfilm.
Acadian Sources Gaudets notes constitute the main source for purely Acadian Genealogy (MG 30 C 20). These were compiled by Placide Gaudet from various sources - these are not officeial records. The information given generally consists of birth, marriage and death dates with the name of the parish. These Notes are arranged in approximate alphabetical order adn are available on microfilm reels C-2238 to C-2241. The most extensive collections of Acadian records is held by Le Centre d'etudes acadiennes, University of Moncton, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9 web site: http://www.umoncton.ca/eudeacadiennes/centre/cea.html
Land PetitionsThey hold land petitions for Quebec and Lower Canada, 1764 - 1841 (RG 1 L3L) and for Upper Canada and the United Province of Canada, 1791 - 1867 (RG 1 L3). Both of these and their indexes are available on microfilm.
Claims for Losses - Upper CanadaThe war of 1812 Claims for Losses (RG 19) cover requests for compensation sustained as a result of the war, whether caused by invading American forces or the British Army and its Indian allies. The complete series of claims is available on microfilm. A nominal card index appears on microfilm reel C-15720.
Metis Land Claims The applications include information about the claimants such as dates and places of birth, names of parents, children and spouses, etc. Applications are arranged alphabetically within several series of the Department of Interior records (RG 15). They've been microfilmed and are available through interinstitutional loan arrangement.
Loyalist SourcesBritish Military and Naval Records (RG 8 I) muster rolls
Ward Chipman Papers (MG 23 D1) muster rolls; nominal rolls of disbanded soldiers and Loyalist settlers, in particular for the Maritimes
British Headquarters Papers (MG 23 BI) various documents, including rolls for refuges evacuated from New York in 1783, temporary assistance, pensions, etc.