Accessing Our Collections

The Archives of Ontario has created a number of research tools, databases and catalogues of information to help you in your research. Descriptions and links can be found 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.

View and download Archives of Ontario data sets in the Government of Ontario Data catalogue.

Follow this link to search descriptions of records and collections in the Archives’ holdings.

Search the catalogue of the Archives of Ontario library.

To learn more about the J. J. Talman Library, 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).

A Guide to Boundaries, Names and Regional Governments as they have evolved over time.

View actual 'born-digital' archival records from government and private donors that have been acquired by the Archives of Ontario.

Government of Ontario Art Collection Database

Explore a wide range of images of fine art collected over the last 150 years.

This database is an index to the four volumes of assisted immigration registers created by the Toronto Emigrant Office between 1865 and 1883.

The Microfilm Interloan Service allows you to borrow microfilmed archival records through a library or another institution belonging to the interlibrary loan network.

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.

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.

Explore a selection of images drawn from the holdings of the Archives of Ontario.

Vital Statistics: Birth, Marriage,
and Death Registrations

The Archives of Ontario holds historic birth, marriage and death records.

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.

The Archives of Ontario has rich holdings relating to black history in the province, click here to learn more.

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

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.

The Government of Ontario Art Collection was the first publicly funded art collection in Canada. Dating from 1853, it currently numbers over 2,600 original works of art.

Access over 3,100 digitized patent plans on the Archives of Ontario’s Visual Database.

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.

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.

Open Data

Archives Descriptive Database

BIBLiON Library Catalogue

Black and White Aerial Forestry Photographs

The Changing Shape of Ontario

Digital Records Online

Government of Ontario Art Collection Database

Immigration Records

Microfilm Interloan Catalogue

Research Guides and Tools

Second Heir and Devisee
Commission Case Files Database

Visual Database

Vital Statistics: Birth, Marriage,
and Death Registrations

The War of 1812

Black History Resources

Franco-Ontarian Resource Page

Commemorating the Hundredth
Anniversary of World War I

The Government of Ontario Art Collection

Digitized Patents Plans

Digitized Government Publications

Access Our Digitized Microfilm Collections on FamilySearch