NL GenWeb, frequently asked questions

When were the various censuses taken in Newfoundland?

The NL census records may be either nominal (includes names, children, place of birth, etc.) or statistical (numerical data only). Between 1675 and 1836, nominal censuses were taken in certain areas of the province. The very first official census was the 1836 statistical census. The nominal censuses may be official or they may be Directories

Nominal Censuses - Unofficial & Official

  1. 1675 John Berry's Census (30 places)
  2. 1699 L'Hermitte's Origins of the Planters at Plaisance
  3. 1702 Trinity Bay
  4. 1708 Trinity Bay
  5. 1753 Trinity Bay
  6. 1800 Trinity Bay
  7. 1800-1806 Fishing Rooms (Bonavista & Trinity Bays)
  8. 1836 (partial) Notre Dame Bay area
  9. 1911 (Partial) Parts of the nominal census exist for 1911, the Provincial Archives, NFLGS and the United Church Archives, all in St. John's, have a section. It is unknown if they have been microfilmed.
  10. 1921 (Partial)
  11. 1935 Complete and includes Labrador for the first time.
  12. 1945 Complete
Nominal Censuses - Directories
  1. 1864-65: All of Newfoundland (Hutchinson's)
  2. 1871: All of Newfoundland (Lovell's)
  3. 1877: All of Newfoundland (Rochfort's)
  4. 1885-86: St. John's, Harbour Grace, Carbonear (Sharpe's)
  5. 1890: St. John's, Harbour Grace, Carbonear (Might's)
  6. 1894-97: All of Newfoundland (McAlpine's)
  7. 1898: All of Newfoundland (McAlpine's)
  8. 1904: All of Newfoundland (McAlpine's)
  9. 1908-09: St. John's, Harbour Grace, Carbonear (McAlpine's)
  10. 1913: St. John's, Harbour Grace, Carbonear, Bell Island
  11. 1915: St. John's, Harbour Grace, Carbonear, Bell Island (McAlpine's)
  12. 1924: St. John's
  13. 1928: St. John's, Harbour Grace, Carbonear, Bay Roberts, Burin West
  14. 1932: St. John's
  15. 1936: All of Newfoundland
  16. 1960-: St. John's (Polk's and Henderson's City Directories)
  17. 1972-: Corner Brook (Polk's City Directories)

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