Census Information Relating to Bruce County
An Act of Parliament, passed on May 30th, 1849, coming
into effect on 1st January, 1850,
created the separate counties of Huron, Perth and Bruce. Prior to this,
the areas which comprise Bruce County were previously
known as the "Queen's Bush" or, even earlier, part
of the "Crownland" district.
Partial map of the "Canada West Districts" circa 1845.
The earliest "census" to occur in Bruce County was the "Assessment Roll" of 1850, which took in the townships of Huron and Kincardine. Brant and Saugeen, which were supposed to be included, were strangely, omitted. According to the assessment, Kincardine Tp. had a population of 262, while Huron's was 114. Bruce County was thereafter included in the Census of the Province of Ontario which took place in 1851/1852*, 1861, and every ten years since. Note: "1911" is the most recent census available to the public.
* Excluded from the 1851/1852 Census were the "School Lands"
and certain remaining "Crown Lands" comprised of:
Township of Kinloss - Concession 1, Lots 1 to 80; 2nd. Concession to 12th inclusive,
& Range 3 North and South of the Durham Road.
Township of Carrick
Township of Culross
Township of Greenock - Lots on 2nd. Concession and everything North.Township of Bruce - Lake Range, Lots 11 -70
Census Links:
ArchiviaNet: Online Research Tool
1851 Census - Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick & Nova Scotia
Index to the 1871 Census of Ontario
Need help deciphering some of the codes and shortforms used?
"Codebook" -
OGS/NA 1871 CENSUS INDEXING PROJECT
Census of the Northwest Provinces, 1906
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