Historic Poll Books

Poll Books (1851-1874)

Poll books list who voted at elections and who they voted for. The earliest poll book kept in the Oxford County Archives is dated 1851. While all poll books record the name of the voter, many also record other information such as the voter’s address and occupation.

In addition, until 1974 when the secret ballot was introduced, the poll books would also list whom each person voted for.

Today, the poll books are a great source of information for those studying early Canadian political history as well as for those researching their family history or even the history of their property.

For more information or for access to the originals, as well as transcriptions and indexes of these materials, please contact Archives staff.

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