Alan, I expect there were property assessments done in the west but I couldn't swear to it. I've never checked it out. However, the homestead records are somewhat like a trail of property assessments on the farm. Each homesteader had to 'prove up' the land, so he filed annually what he'd done after he applied for his patent up to the time he got his deed. I also expect there must have been property assessments at the municipal level because they must have used such for realty tax purposes. You might query a reference librarian in Wpg or U of Manitoba - or query a land titles office in Manitoba. I expect they can tell you. BTW, where was your John Colbert in 1881 and 1891? Have you checked those census records? Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Bette