Government of Ontario

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Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery




Research Guides and Tools

You can access and search the collections at the Archives of Ontario with the help of the databases, research guides and tools, and resources, as described in the links below.
Learn more about what we have.
Read our Statement on Language and Description for information about how our staff describe the materials in our collections.
If you require assistance using these tools or accessing our collections, please contact us.



Research Guides, Tools and Resources

Vital Statistics: Birth, Marriage,
and Death Registrations
The Archives of Ontario holds historic birth, marriage and death records.
Research Guides and Tools
Follow this link to various guides and tools designed to assist you in your research or to provide information about the Archives' policies and services.
Photo of a man looking at a microfilm reel with a magnifying glass

Explore some of our most popular microfilm collections online! FamilySearch International has digitized these collections for you to access free of charge through the FamilySearch website. Learn more.

Microfilm Interloan Catalogue
The Microfilm Interloan Service allows you to borrow microfilmed archival records through a library or another institution belonging to the interlibrary loan network.
Microfilm Interloan Catalogue
This database is an index to the four volumes of assisted immigration registers created by the Toronto Emigrant Office between 1865 and 1883.
Second Heir and Devisee 
Commission Case Files Database
This database is an index to the 5184 case files that document claims made to the second Heir and Devisee Commission. To learn about the database, click here.
Black and White Aerial Forestry Photographs
This interface serves as an index to the Forest Resource Inventory (FRI) aerial photography collection (RG 1-429-7).
The Changing Shape of Ontario
A Guide to Boundaries, Names and Regional Governments as they have evolved over time.
Electronic Records Online
View actual 'born-digital' archival records from government and private donors that have been acquired by the Archives of Ontario.
Historical Document Project
Access digital copies of select Ontario government publications from the Archives of Ontario’s library collection, including Ontario budgets and Ministry of Finance taxation studies and reports.
Black History Resources
The Archives of Ontario has rich holdings relating to black history in the province, click here to learn more.
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 had long term effects on the province of Ontario. The Archives is highlighting some of its extensive resources relating to the war.
Commemorating the Hundredth
Anniversary of World War I
The Archives of Ontario has a wealth of materials relating to World War I. We have created a page that highlights and provides links to many of these resources.
Franco-Ontarian Resource Page
Our new Franco-Ontarian resource page provides easier access to listings of our related holdings, online exhibits, and information about government services for Franco-Ontarians.
Commemorating the Hundredth
Anniversary of World War I
View and download Archives of Ontario data sets in the Government of Ontario Data catalogue.