Update: Hold on To Your Hats, The Census is Coming
92 years ago there was a census taken in Western Canada, and it is due to be released this year. The 1926 census covered the Western Provinces of Canada; Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The census was taken on June 1, 1926, more information on the census can be found on the Government of Canada website.
Wikipedia reports the population of Canada in 1926 was 9,451,000, but it doesn’t state what the population was in those three provinces.
I am still looking for the information that was asked in this census. I also have not been able to uncover the release date for the census.
In preparation, I am creating a list of surnames and places that will be of interest for my family history.
My search will include the following surnames:
Harrop – Balcarres, Saskatchewan, Alberta & Manitoba
Stewart – Yorkton, Saskatchewan
McRae – Alberta
My husband’s family –
Greber – Saskatchewan
Hawkesworth – Alberta
Hodgson – Saskatchewan
Schinkle – Manitoba
Schielke – Manitoba & Saskatchewan
Whitman – Saskatchewan & Alberta
Wiesner – Saskatchewan & Manitoba
And who knows who else will show up once I begin hunting!
Do you think it will be indexed upon release or shortly thereafter? I checked the Library and Archives website but I didn’t find any mention of the release date or if there is an indexing project in place.
I would recommend in preparation for the census release creating your own list, and share it!
Who will you be searching for?
My Genealogy Life 
My great-great uncle, Arthur Barlow. AFAIK, he was still living in Calgary in 1926. Also, maybe I’ll find other members of my family who emigrated to Ontario in the teens, had moved west by the twenties 🙂 So sad BC isn’t included 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am excited to learn more about my families in this census.
I also wish BC had been included.
LikeLike
Every time a census is released it brings new life to my family tree. For those that moved west it is your turn. I guess I will have to wait another five years for those that stayed in Ontario.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is great for us who have ancestors who moved to the prairies but 5 years is a long wait!
LikeLike
Hi Patricia, The name Stewart is recorded in the York Farmers Colonization Company Guide and record from 1884(eventually York Colony became Yorkton). Joseph & Duncan Stewart from Aberfoyle, Ontario, They homesteaded at N. 1/2 20,27,2 and W. 1/2 28,27,3.
In 1927-29 The city of Yorkton’s Mayor was A.G. Stewart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly that does not seem to be my branch. My David Stewart arrived in 1900 and was from Normanby, Grey Co., Ontario.
I appreciate you taking the time to check for the Stewarts for me.
LikeLike
I’m looking for Henry Elliott in Alberta. He immigrated to Alberta in 1914 from the US. In 1916 he was in the Gariepy neighborhood of Edmonton. In 1921 he was near Ashmont–section 28 township 59 range 10. At the time of his death in 1948, he is said to have lived in Sedgewick, although he died at Edmonton General Hospital. I live in the US, so I have to rely on the internet and the LDS Family History Library to obtain info. Iam looking forward to this record’s release.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Researching
Alexander Coupar (b 1878 Scotland) Maggie Coupar (nee Irvine b 1878 Scotland)
Betsy Adams Coupar, daughter (born 1904 Scotland)
Annie Coupar, daughter (born 1906 Scotland)
Possible another daughter born in Saskatchewan.
John Grant (b 1867 Scotland) ** Betsy Ogilvie Grant (nee Irvine 1872 Scotland)
John Munro Grant, son (born 1894 Scotland)
**Betsy Ogilvie Grant (nee Irvine0 die 18 July 1916, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
And I’ll welcome any new finds as well. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Susan. I am related to these people you have mentioned. I live in Scotland so only know the Scottish side. if interested then please get back to me and I will try and help in your search. Can confirm Maggie Coupar born 1878, was my great aunt, and Betsy was her sister.
LikeLike
Indeed, the 1926 census for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba is currently being indexed. It has been assigned to a group currently consisting of over 300 indexers. I was, in fact, also trying to find out how big our project is and found this site. In one week 56000 names have been indexed. The census gives Name, land description, relationship to head, sex, marital condition, age, place of birth (province if Canada, or Country) ethnicity and year of immigration. Not being indexed is Father’s place of birth and Mother’s place of birth, year of naturalization, mother tongue, and education. I am sure it will be useful to lots of family history seekers. I am not sure if it will be on Family Search or Ancestry or both when completed. Better get beck to indexing 😊
LikeLike
Thank you for the information. How do people become indexers?
LikeLike
The group of indexers for this set of records is restricted. However, anyone can register at http://www.familysearch.org then click on indexing, then Web Indexing. There are many projects available. Recently I was indexing Irish records. You can type in a country and see what is available. Many hands make light work 😊
LikeLike
So Family Search has the 1926 census, that’s great news! Good to know it is in great hands. Thanks for updating us.
LikeLike
Do you mind if I quote you in a new blog post with information that the census is being indexed by Family Search?
LikeLike