First and Second Heir and
Devisee Commission Records

• Introduction
• How to Order
• Microfilm Listings

Introduction

This microfilm consists of records documenting the review and determination of claims for land brought forward by the heirs, devisees, and assignees of individuals originally located by the Crown on land, in cases where no letters patent had been issued. The First Heir and Devisee Commission was in existence between 1797 and 1805. The majority of its records are held by Library and Archives Canada. The Second Heir and Devisee Commission was in existence from 1805 until 1911, although it ceased meeting in 1896.

The following records are available on interloan:

Memoranda of undescribed land claims and related orders arising out of the First Heir and Devisee Commission, 1797-1804 (Series RG 40-1; formerly Series RG 40 A-1)

This series consists of memoranda prepared for the Chief Justice of Upper Canada by the Surveyor General documenting claims made under the First Heir and Devisee Commission which were "not described for want of information", as well as resulting orders made by the Chief Justice.

Reports on land claims arising out of the First Heir and Devisee Commission, 1797-1803 (Series RG 40-2; formerly Series RG 40 A-2)

Series consists of reports concerning land claims arising out of the deliberations of the First Heir and Devisee Commission.

Miscellaneous documents collected by the First Heir and Devisee Commission, 1796-1805 (Series RG 40-3; formerly Series RG 40 A-3)

Series consists of miscellaneous documents collected by the First Heir and Devisee Commission relating to the allotment of land.

Commissions of appointment to the Second Heir and Devisee Commission, 1840-1879 (Series RG 40-4; formerly Series RG 40 b-1)

Series consists of commissions appointing individuals to serve as commissioners under the Heir and Devisee Commission Act.

Second Heir and Devisee Commission case files, 1804-1895 (Series RG 40-5; formerly Series RG 40 D-1)

Series consists of case files documenting claims for land made to the second Heir and Devisee Commission.

A nominal index to case files is found on MS 657, reels 11 to 14.

Minutes of the Second Heir and Devisee Commission, 1810-1895 (Series RG 40-6; formerly Series RG 40 C-1)

Series consists of minutes of the Second Heir and Devisee Commission. The minutes may record not only the decision of the commission but also contain a précis of documents which were submitted in support of claims and an outline of deliberations.

Lists of lands claimed under the Second Heir and Devisee Commission, 1805-1876 (Series RG 40-7; formerly Series RG 40 E-1)

Series consists of lists of claims to land under the Second Heir and Devisee Commission which were posted in the offices of clerks of the peace.

Reports or certificates of search submitted to the Second Heir and Devisee Commission by the Crown Lands Department, 1844-1868 (Series RG 40-8; formerly Series RG 40 F-1)

Series consists of reports or certificates of search prepared for the Second Heir and Devisee Commission by officials within the Crown Lands Department. The reports document and certify that searches were conducted within the Crown Lands Department for information relating to claims made before the Commission.

Draft reports of the proceedings of the Second Heir and Devisee Commission, 1857-1891 (Series RG 40-9; formerly Series RG 40 F-2)

Series consists of draft or rough copies of reports outlining the proceedings of the Second Heir and Devisee Commission and decisions made by them regarding land claims.

Certificates documenting the fulfilment of settlement duties and payment of fees on lands awarded by the Second Heir and Devisee Commission, 1846-1848 (Series RG 40-10; formerly Series RG 40 G-1)

Series consists of certificates, prepared by the Crown Lands Department for the Attorney General, documenting the fulfilment of settlement duties and the payment of required fees on lands awarded by the Second Heir and Devisee Commission.

Correspondence and administrative records of the Second Heir and Devisee Commission, 1799-1891 (Series RG 40-11; formerly Series RG 40 H-1)

Indices to claims made to the Second Heir and Devisee Commission, 1804-1889 (Series RG 40-12; formerly Series RG 40 I-1)

Series consists of certificates, prepared by the Crown Lands Department for the Attorney General, documenting the fulfilment of settlement duties and the payment of required fees on lands awarded by the Second Heir and Devisee Commission.

In order to view these reels you may:

• Consult the appropriate reel at our reading room on the ground floor, 77 Grenville St., Toronto.
• Borrow the reel through the Interlibrary Loan Department of your public library. Quote MS 657 and the appropriate reel #. These reels cannot leave the borrowing library, so make sure to request them from a library that has a microfilm reader.
• Borrow the film from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through their Family History Centres. The Family History Centres have a different numbering system than the Archives of Ontario. These Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) conversion numbers have been provided in the right hand column of the table below.

return to top of page

return to top of page