Census Indexes

1842 Elgin County townships – Censuses Indexes -(known as London District, Middlesex County)

1842 Aldborough Township
LAC images for Aldborough
Family Search images for Aldborough

1842 Bayham Township
LAC images for Bayham
Family Search images for Bayham

1842 Dorchester Township
LAC images for North and South Dorchester
Family Search images for North and South Dorchester

1842 Dunwich Township
LAC images for Dunwich
Family Search images for Dunwich

1842 Malahide Township
LAC images for Malahide
Family Search images for Malahide

1842 Southwold Township
LAC images for Southwold
Family Search images for Southwold

1842 Yarmouth Township
LAC images for Yarmouth
Family Search images for Yarmouth

These indexes compiled by Elgin OGS do not represent a complete transcription of each item of information contained in the 1842 census. A total of 85 questions were asked for each householder (see list below). A good portion of the questions have genealogical importance, while many are of an agricultural nature.

The researcher is advised to consult the microfilm to obtain the rest of the information contained in the census return.

The 1842 census enumerated the name of the head of household only. Statistics on other members of the family were gathered throughout the 85 questions. The information transcribed in these indexes includes: name, occupation, and in two cases, lot and concession and number of persons in family. It is interesting to note that the lot and concession was not actually one of the questions asked. But, the enumerator for the township of Bayham wrote this information in the margin. This has been extracted for the index.

Also, the enumerator for the township of Dorchester incorrectly entered number of persons in family in the column where the question actually read “number of persons in family temporarily absent”. This information has been extracted for the index.

The microfilmed copy of the 1842 census contains no page numbers or line numbers, as later census returns do. Therefore, a page and line number have been assigned to assist the researcher in finding the original entry. Numbers were assigned only for the pages containing names. There are several pages of statistics between each page of names. To determine the line number assigned by the transcriber, simply start at the top of the page and count!

IMPORTANT – For many of the townships, there is an overlap where several of the names at the bottom of a page also appear at the top of the next page. Both entries were recorded to facilitate the counting of line. This accounts for double entries of the same name in the index.

The handwriting and quality of microfilming for some pages resulted in some names being next to undecipherable. As a result, many names in this index may have been misinterpreted. In some cases, and undecipherable name has been indexed as “unknown.”

No attempt was made to correct obvious spelling errors in names. For example, in Southwold Township, “Isaac Bollby” appears on the same page as several members of the “Bowlby” family. Also, in Aldborough township, a “Thomas and John Foord” appear. In all probability the surname should be “Ford”. The researcher is advised to check the index carefully and not rely on a search engine.

Note that in 1842 the township of Dorchester had not yet been divided into North and South Dorchester. Therefore, a portion of the inhabitants listed in this index for Elgin County were actually living in what was later North Dorchester Township, Middlesex County.

The dates that the census returns were “sworn true” and the names of the enumerators:

    • Aldborough: April 8, 1842 Donald Campbell
    • Bayham: July 12, 1842 Jeremiah Moore
    • Dunwich: April 11, 1842 James Lumley
    • Dorchester: June 21, 1842 Harry Edwards
    • Southwold: April 14, 1842 Amos Barnes
    • Yarmouth: April 8, 1842 John Lannin

Note that names and other details from the 1842 Malahide Township census have been previously transcribed by Bruce C Johnson Jr.

The 1842 census for the townships of Elgin County are found under the London District on microfilm through the following locations:
National Archives & Library of Canada (microfilm # C1345)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Family History Library (microfilm # 281227)
Elgin County Archives (microfilm # 211)

Questions Asked on the 1842 Census

Following is a list of the information gathered for the 1842 census:

1. Name of Head of Family

2. Proprietor

3. Non Proprietor

4. Entitled to Vote

5. Trade or Professio

6. Number of Persons in Family (male/female) Temporarily Absent

7. Number of Natives of (belonging to each family): England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada French Origin, Canada English Origin, Europe or otherwise, U.S.A.

8. Number of Years Person in Province (not natives)

9. Number of Aliens not naturalized

10. Family:

11. Males and Females 5 years and under

12. Males and Females between 5 and 14 years

13. Males: ages 14 – 18; 18 – 21; 21- 30; 30-60; 60 and older

14. Females: ages 14 – 45; 45 and older

15. Deaf & Dumb: males, females

16. Blind: males, females

17. Idiots: males, females

18. Lunatics: males, females

19. Religion: (a list of about denominations)

20. Coloured: males, females

21. Male farm servants

22. Male servants

23. Other female servants

24. Acres of land occupied

25. Acres of improved land occupied

26. Additional Agricultural Data –

see full data requested at:  http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1842-canada-west/Pages/about-census.aspx

Links to other Elgin County census indexes and images

1852 Elgin Census indexes and images
LAC images
Automated Genealogy (free)

1861 Elgin Census images
LAC images
Index at FamilySearch.org (free)

1871 Elgin Census images 
LAC images (free)

1881 Elgin Census (east and west)
LAC images (free)

Family Search (free)

1891 Elgin Census
LAC census images (free)
Index at FamilySearch.org (free)

1901 Elgin Census (east)
LAC census images (free)

Elgin East
Automated Genealogy (free)

Elgin West
Automated Genealogy (free)

1911 Elgin Census
LAC census images

Elgin East
Automated Genealogy (free)

Elgin West
Automated Genealogy (free)

1921 Elgin Census –
Library and Archives Canada free)

Ancestry.ca has also has indexes and images for the 1852-1921 censuses. (subscription required)