Discover where your ancestors lived in Canada, circa 1881
This tool helps you discover where people with your family name lived in Canada around 1881. The data is drawn from the 1881 Canadian Census, one of the first to cover all provinces and territories.
Understanding where your ancestors settled can be the first step in tracing your family history. Whether your name points to Quebec's French-Canadian heartland, the Scottish Highlands of Nova Scotia, or the homesteads of the Prairies — every name tells a story.
Don't see your name? Use the links above to search the full historical census records. Many surnames have spelling variations, so try different versions of your name.
Found your ancestors? Consider contributing to the Automated Genealogy project to help others discover theirs.