Census records are important to genealogists because they capture a picture of a household—usually a family group—at a particular point in time. A census of the population of what is now Toronto was taken in 1842, 1848, 1852, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1921. All of the extant records for those years have now been digitized and indexed and are available free of charge online. Most of the returns are also available on microfilm at several Toronto repositories, and at Library and Archives Canada. There is a good finding aid on the Library and Archives Canada website. Library and Archives microfilm numbers will also work at the Archives of Ontario and Toronto Public Libraries.
For locations in the City of Toronto, the census was taken by ward. These census wards closely resembled the municipal wards. We have included links to maps showing the municipal wards for each census. City directories are also useful tools to find wards. Use the “streets” section.
The following list shows each census year and how the records can be accessed. We recommend that you consult several different indexes because results may vary. PLEASE NOTE: All indexes and transcriptions may contain errors and omissions; always consult the original records!
1842 CENSUS
This census named only heads of household and summarized the rest of the household by age range and sex, but includes many columns of data including country of birth, number of years in Canada, occupation, etc. Because of the large size of the originals, you may find them easier to follow on microfilm.
NOTE: The nominal returns survive for the City of Toronto, but for Etobicoke, Scarborough, and York townships, only aggregate returns—without names—have survived.
1842 Map of Toronto showing wards (Look for saints’ names in large open capital letters.)
1842 IMAGES
The Library and Archives Canada microfilm covering Toronto, C-1344, has been digitized at heritage.canadiana.ca. The Home District returns start at image 346. The Toronto nominal returns begin at image 378.
The same microfilm has been digitized at FamilySearch.org with additional navigation to take you to the specific geographic area, making it much easier to use.
On microfilm C-1344 at Toronto Reference Library and Archives of Ontario.
1842 INDEXES
Library and Archives Canada – searchable by name of head of family, district and sub-district, and links to the image. However many Toronto names have been missed or incorrectly transcribed. We recommend using the microfilm, or digitized microfilm listed above.
FamilySearch.org – searchable by name of head of family, and occupation and links to the image. However this index was created from the same data as LAC’s, so many names have been missed or incorrectly transcribed. We recommend using the microfilm, or digitized microfilm listed above.
Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries) Note: this index does not appear to include any Toronto names.
1848 CENSUS
Returns for the Home District (which contained Toronto) do not survive.
1852 CENSUS
Often referred to as the 1851 census, although it was enumerated in January 1852. The returns survive for Etobicoke and York Townships—Toronto and Scarborough are missing.
1852 Map of Toronto showing wards (Wards are shown as colour tints, but not named. Refer back to the 1842 map for ward names.)
1852 IMAGES
Digitized images (free) at Library and Archives Canada
Digitized images at Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
Digitized images at FamilySearch affiliate institutions (includes all branches of Toronto Public Library)
The Automated Genealogy index noted below links via a split screen with the LAC images.
Digitized images at Findmypast.com (subscription required)
Digitized images at MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
On microfilm at Toronto Reference Library and Archives of Ontario.
1852 INDEXES
Library and Archives Canada (free)
Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
FamilySearch (free)
Automated Genealogy (free)
Findmypast.com (subscription required)
MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
Eker, Glen. Jewish residents in Ontario according to the 1851-1901 censuses of Canada. Toronto: Ontario Genealogical Society, 2002
1861 CENSUS
Both nominal and agricultural schedules have survived. Be sure to read the extensive enumerators’ notes.
1862 Map of Toronto showing wards
1861 IMAGES
Digitized images (free) at Library and Archives Canada
Digitized images at Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
Digitized images at FamilySearch affiliate institutions (includes all branches of the Toronto Public Library)
Digitized images at Findmypast.com (subscription required)
Digitized images at MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
On microfilm at Toronto Reference Library and Archives of Ontario.
1861 INDEXES
Library and Archives Canada (free)
Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
FamilySearch (free)
Findmypast.com (subscription required)
MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
Scarborough Census Indexes 1861-1891. Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
Eker, Glen. Jewish residents in Ontario according to the 1851-1901 censuses of Canada. Toronto: Ontario Genealogical Society, 2002
1871 CENSUS
Considered to be the most complete surviving census. Be sure to consult all nine schedules. Find the household on the nominal index first; note the page number and line number of the head of household; then locate the schedules that match District, Sub District, and Division; your household will be identified by page and line number rather than by name.
1871 Map of Toronto showing wards
1871 IMAGES
Digitized images (free) at Library and Archives Canada. (Organized by microfilm number. To navigate film numbers, use this guide to Census Districts and Sub-districts.
Digitized images at FamilySearch affiliate institutions (includes all branches of the Toronto Public Library)
Digitized images of nominal returns only at Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
Digitized images at Findmypast.com (subscription required)
Digitized images at MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
On microfilm at Toronto Reference Library and Archives of Ontario
1871 INDEXES
Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
Two separate indexes are available from Library and Archives Canada (free)
- full nominal index for all provinces
- heads-of-household index created by the Ontario Genealogical Society (local knowledge of names and handwriting may be beneficial)
FamilySearch (free)
Heads-of-households index created by OGS (free) – online version or printed volumes available at libraries.
Findmypast.com (subscription required)
MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
OGSPI (free – partial) – Toronto
Scarborough Census Indexes 1861-1891. Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
Eker, Glen. Jewish residents in Ontario according to the 1851-1901 censuses of Canada. Toronto: Ontario Genealogical Society, 2002
1881 CENSUS
1884 Map of Toronto showing wards
1881 IMAGES
Digitized images (free) at Library and Archives Canada
Digitized images at Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
Digitized images (free) at FamilySearch
Digitized images at Findmypast.com (subscription required)
Digitized images at MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
On microfilm at Toronto Reference Library and Archives of Ontario.
1881 INDEXES
Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
Library and Archives Canada (free)
FamilySearch (free)
Findmypast.com (subscription required)
MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
OGSPI (free – partial) – York
Scarborough Census Indexes 1861-1891. Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
Eker, Glen. Jewish residents in Ontario according to the 1851-1901 censuses of Canada. Toronto: Ontario Genealogical Society, 2002
1891 CENSUS
1891 Map of Toronto showing wards
1891 IMAGES
Digitized images (free) at Library and Archives Canada
Digitized images at Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
Digitized images at FamilySearch affiliate institutions (includes all branches of the Toronto Public Library)
Digitized images at Findmypast.com (subscription required)
Digitized images at MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
On microfilm at Toronto Reference Library and Archives of Ontario
1891 INDEXES
Library and Archives Canada (free)
Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
FamilySearch (free)
Findmypast.com (subscription required)
MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
OGSPI (free – partial) – Toronto
Scarborough Census Indexes 1861-1891. Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
Eker, Glen. Jewish residents in Ontario according to the 1851-1901 censuses of Canada. Toronto: Ontario Genealogical Society, 2002
1901 CENSUS
The 1901 census is the first to supply birth dates (rather than just ages) and the first to give a year of immigration. Two schedules have survived. Find the family or household on the “Nominal return of living persons”; note the page and dwelling number to find the property on the “Return of buildings and lands, churches and schools”. The “Return of buildings…” is usually filmed immediately before the “Nominal return”. To access this additional information, you will need to use the microfilm or choose a digitized version that will allow you to scroll back to these pages.
1901 Map of Toronto showing wards
1901 IMAGES
Digitized images (free) at Library and Archives Canada
Digitized images at Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
The AutomatedGenealogy index noted below links via a split screen with the LAC images.
Digitized images at Findmypast.com (subscription required)
Digitized images at MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
On microfilm at Toronto Reference Library and Archives of Ontario
1901 INDEXES
Library and Archives Canada (free)
Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
FamilySearch (free)
Automated Genealogy (free)
Findmypast.com (subscription required)
MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
Eker, Glen. Jewish residents in Ontario according to the 1851-1901 censuses of Canada. Toronto: Ontario Genealogical Society, 2002
1911 CENSUS
1910 Map of Toronto showing wards
Census index of Toronto streets
1911 IMAGES
Digitized images (free) at Library and Archives Canada
Digitized images at FamilySearch affiliate institutions (includes all branches of the Toronto Public Library)
Digitized images at Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
Digitized images at Findmypast.com (subscription required)
Digitized images at MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
On microfilm at Toronto Reference Library
1911 INDEXES
Ancestry.ca (subscription required, or free at many libraries)
Library and Archives Canada (free)
FamilySearch (free)
Automated Genealogy (free)
Findmypast.com (subscription required)
MyHeritage.com (subscription required)
1921 CENSUS
1921 Map of Toronto showing wards
1921 IMAGES
Digitized images (free) at Library and Archives Canada
Digitized images at Ancestry.ca (free from a Canadian ISP with registration – or access without registration through many libraries and at the Archives of Ontario)
1921 INDEXES
Library and Archives Canada (free)
Ancestry.ca (free from a Canadian ISP with registration – or access without registration through many libraries)
© Jane E. MacNamara and Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society