Are you looking for a Canadian ancestor or someone who was living in Canada during the Second World War? The National Registration was a result of the National Resources Mobilization Act, 1940, which enabled the government to identify military and labour resources that could be mobilized for the war effort.
Since most sources for that time period are still subject to access or privacy restrictions under Canadian legislation, Statistics Canada’s National Registration File of 1940 is an alternative to census records that can provide you with some answers. This very valuable source for genealogists and family historians is the result of the compulsory registration of all persons, 16 years of age or older, between 1940 and 1946.
If the person has been dead for more than 20 years, and you can provide proof of death, you can order a search of these Statistics Canada records. Please note that research fees apply.
If you cannot provide a copy of a death certificate, other types of documents indicating the date of death are accepted, such as obituary notices published in newspapers.
The registration included all persons who were 16 years of age or older, except for members of the armed forces and religious orders, or those confined to an institution. If a person died between 1940 and 1946, their questionnaire might have been destroyed. A different form was used for men than was used for women.
The questionnaires provide particulars such as address, age, date and place of birth, general health, and occupation. For immigrants, key details such as the year of arrival in Canada and their parents’ country of birth are given.
The questionnaires include the following details:
- name;
- address;
- age;
- date of birth;
- marital status;
- number of dependents;
- place and country of birth of individual and his or her parents;
- nationality;
- year of entry into Canada (if an immigrant);
- racial origin;
- languages;
- education;
- general health;
- occupation, employment status, farming or mechanical skills; and
- previous military service.
There was a different form for males and females regarding questions about occupation, work history and military service. The records are arranged by electoral district; however, a soundex-format index exists.
Sample of questionnaire for men. Courtesy of Statistics Canada.
Sample of questionnaire for woman. Courtesy of Statistics Canada.
A similar national registration was undertaken during the First World War, in June 1918; however, those records have not survived.
What if the person is not listed in the 1940 registration?
As mentioned above, perhaps he or she served in the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force or the Canadian Army. Our previous article, From Enlistment to Burial Records Part II: the Canadian Forces in the Second World War, describes how to search for individuals who served in the Canadian Forces.
Questions or comments? We would love to hear from you!
Library and Archives Canada Blog 
My mum ordered her record last year upon my request. It arrived quickly & is a very nice addition to telling her story. It also served as a prompt for her to tell me a few stories that had slipped her mind. Worth the effort to make your request, in my opinion.
I was completely on board for ordering three of these records until I saw the hourly research rate. I realize that it takes time and effort to look for things like this, but that is way too extreme for me. I can’t afford to spend possibly hundreds of dollars for only three people. Disappointing. 😦
I totally agree. Why Statcan is charging such an outrageous amount, when we do all the initial work. If the files have been set up properly, your search should be quite easy. Why not allow access on line with a cut off year 20 years prior to 2019?
Will these records ever be available in the public domain to researchers or just through pay to view services?
I read that its the same privacy act that covers the census records. If this is indeed true than it is ninety-two years after the fact that it should be made available to the public.
They will probably not become available in the public domain, because the Canadian Government, along with other governments in the world, has discovered that genealogy is a most popular activity and they can make a lot of money by charging people for access to records.
Hi, these records belong to Statistics Canada. They are restricted under federal privacy legislation, as they contain personal information about people who may still be alive. More information can be found on their website: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/93C0006
Since Statistics Canada is a government agency, my point stands. Incidentally, the British National Archives do make the equivalent register, the 1939 register, available online and they simply blank out records for anyone who may still be alive, so that their information is not readable and thus protected. So what is Statistics Canada’s excuse for not doing that? If the records were available online there would be no need for staff at Statistics Canada to do the research and thus charge for it.
There is a principle at stake here. In a democracy, the people should have free access to information about their deceased family members held by government agencies within the confines of data protection for those possibly still living. The records may well be held by Statistics Canada, but the information is NOT their property. It belongs to the people of Canada from whom it was collected in the first place.
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What is the hourly rate for research fees?
When the active link [ National Registration File of 1940 ] doesn’t work, how does one find the particular page within the LAC website. What did the indexers use?
Why is there not an index for this? Thank you
Hello –
There is an index. It is held by the Statistics Canada office, they do not put it online as it is restricted under federal privacy legislation because it contains personal information about people who are still alive today.
Here is their page about it:
http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/AAS-DAR/cpsp-prfp-eng.cfm#wb-head
I don’t think too many if any people would still be alive. My mother and her siblings would all be well over 100 and are definitely dead as are their parents.
If the researchers are government employees, who are presumably being paid to do this work, then why is there any fee for accessing these documents?
Hi there, that set of records is still in the custody of Statistics Canada. They should be able to answer your question.
Perhaps releasing the information of individuals that would be 100+ years old would be beneficial to researchers.
The 1940 Registration files are held by Statistics Canada. Perhaps inquire when the files will be transferred to Library and Archives Canada?
Just received a copy and pasted non answer from stats Can, so I guess even for individuals born 110+ years ago there is still a standard fee.
The standard fee currently posted is $45 + tax and you can order online. http://www.statcan.ca/bsolc/english/bsolc?catno=93C0006 Make sure you have proof of death scanned ahead of time, and the person’s address in 1940.
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We are working to digitize the archives of Flin Flon Manitoba. We came accross the registration of a lady who lived in Flin Flon. We have 33,000 items in our archive and this is the first such registration we have found. A small green folder. On the back are two stamps MLCC could you please tell us what these stamps were for?
Hello,
I suggest that you submit a question through the Ask Us a Genealogy Question form: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/assistance-request-form/Pages/assistance-request-form.aspx?requesttype=1
Good luck!
Roman Numerals, it meens 1150
1150 would be MCL in roman numerals
Would this make sense? Manitoba Liquor Control Commission
Perhaps Manitoba Liquor Control Commission
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Your site seems very good-but help please. How do I find details of family member ? .I have name address etc..
( as in letter dated 1943 ) but have been unable to locate any information. Would really like some help Please, regards Margaret
would it be possible to find the name of residents,living at 5,Connaught St. Kingston,Ontario ?
A Canadian Soldier took a photo and sent it from Germany,by a colleague returning on leave to Annan. The photo was me and my brother,by luck the soldier asked me if I new these boys! The Soldier came to the street where we lived. The Soldiers had been Billeted in our neighberhood. It would be circa 1942-1945. I am now in my 80’s, I have tried quite a few sources over the years,no luck.
Hello Mr. Smith,
Library and Archives Canada does not have access to the 1940 Registry file, but requests can be made here: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/93C0006
I hope you are able to locate the name of the soldier easily. Good luck in your search and best wishes in the New Year.
I’m enquiring about someone who moved from Birmingham uk, to Canada in the 1970s.
Hello Jackie,
LAC does not have any information on such a recent date. It is unlikely that we have the ability to respond to your question, but you could try submitting a question through the Ask Us a Genealogy Question form: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/assistance-request-form/Pages/assistance-request-form.aspx?requesttype=1
Have you tried looking through obituaries and newspapers?
Best of luck!
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I’m looking for John Joyce that immigrated 1929 from Galway Ireland to Canada, he was born 1909 married in Montreal and had one daughter named Kathleen, I would love to know where the family is buried they were Catholics
Our Genealogy section can help you with that question. Feel free to fill out the Ask us a Genealogy Question form.
Looking for John Joyce born 1909 immigrated from Galway Ireland 1929 and married in Montreal Canada had one daughter named Kathleen.would love to find out where he is buried in Montreal
Our Genealogy section can help you with that question. Feel free to fill out the Ask us a Genealogy Question online form.
What is the fee for the 1940 National Registration record and do you pay when you send in the request or after being advised there is a file. Many thanks.
Thanks for your comment. Those records belong to Statistics Canada. They would have the most up to date information about how to order a copy of the document.
I am looking for information from the, 1940 National Registration File, about a family who lived in Newburgh, Ontario. The name is Robert Hird, who was born in 1907 in England – which means he was born before the 110 years needed. And he is dead for more than 20 years. So can I receive information about him from National Registration. Where do I write to get it and how much will I owe for the search. Sincerely, Thanks James S. Gilchrist. British Home child researcher.
Thanks for your comment. Those records belong to Statistics Canada. They would have the most up to date information about how to order a copy of the document. If you have any other questions about your genealogy, our Genealogy section will be happy to help you. Feel free to fill out the Ask us a Genealogy Question online form.
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ooking for information about Esther Ghent
Born on: December 20, 1899 probably in Clarassi Moldova
Died November 1985 Quebec Canada
Thank you
Hi there, that set of records is still in the custody of Statistics Canada
Please contact them for more information about Esther Ghent’s form.
Hello. I have been trying to trace my grandfather. Samuel Baird. He was born in Drumack. Co Antrim on 29/8/1985.
I am led to believe he went to Canada in the 1930’s and was in the Canadian Police.
Do you know of any way or any person who could help me.
Iam 74 yes old myself and would love to solve this myself.
Thank you.
Helen James
Hi there, Our Genealogy section may be able to help you with your question. You can submit your question using this form: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/assistance-request-form/Pages/assistance-request-form.aspx?requesttype=1
If you are interested in his 1940 National Registration form, you will have to contact StatsCan . Here is more information: http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/bsolc/olc-cel/olc-cel?lang=eng&catno=93C0006
I tried two submit my grandfather Stfepan Bacvar immigration and citizenship records please let me know
Hi there, your inquiry had been received by the Genealogy section and you should hear back from them soon.