Frequently Asked Questions About Birth, Marriage and Death Registrations
What vital statistics microfilm does the Archives hold?
The Archives of Ontario has the Indexes (where they exist)
and Registration Books from the Office of the Registrar
General of Ontario for:
- Marriages:
[ca. 1801-1929] (Note: There are many gaps in pre-1869 Marriage
Records)
All of these records are publicly available on
microfilm. Another year of records is sent annually
to the Archives. These are restricted until they have been
made available on microfilm. The latest transfer (1915 births,
1930 marriages, 1940 deaths) is being filmed and will be
available some time in 2012.
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What information is recorded in the Registrations?
The information below was requested but was not
always recorded in the Registration. The information
given to the Registrar and/or the data recorded can be incomplete,
entered on the wrong line, or incorrect.
|
BIRTHS
(July 1869-1914) |
Year of birth
Name
Gender
Father's name
Mother's maiden name
Father's rank or occupation
Signature and residence of informant (usually a relative)
Accoucheur's name (person assisting with the birth)
Registration date
Registrar's signature
County or District of registration (an exact city,
town or township is normally not given for the earliest
years) |
| |
| MARRIAGES
(1801-June 1869) |
The information recorded
varies widely and can be very limited in the early
years (e.g. name of groom, bride, and clergy; location,
date, and religion of ceremony). |
| |
| MARRIAGES
(July 1869-1929) |
About each person:
Name
Age
Place of residence and of birth
Marital status (bachelor/ widower; spinster/ widow)
Occupation
Fathers' name
Mothers' maiden name
Religious denomination
About the marriage:
Location (not of the church but of the town or township)
Date
Witnesses' names and residences
Name of clergy conducting the marriage
Whether by issuance of a marriage license or publication
of banns
Registration date |
| |
|
DEATHS
(July 1869-1939) |
Name
Age
Sex
Religious affiliation
Rank or profession
Birth place
Cause of death
Name and description of informant
Registrar's name
Date registered
County or District of registration
After 1907, the burial place, father's name, mother's
maiden name, and more information regarding cause
of death and reporting physician were also requested.
This information was not always included. |
If you have never seen a registration before you may wish
to view our examples
of registrations.
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How do I find a particular Birth, Marriage or Death Registration?
Due to limited resources and very high demand, the Archives
of Ontario is not able to perform searches and provide copies
of registrations. You must perform your own search using
microfilm by doing one of the following:
- Visiting our Reading Room,
134 Ian Macdonald Blvd., Toronto.
- Borrowing the indexes and registrations that you require
through our Microfilm Interloan
Service. This service allows you to order
microfilmed records through a public library or another
institution that is part of the interlibrary loan system.
The Vital Statistics main
page is designed to help you find the microfilm
reels that you need.
- The indexes and registrations up to and including
the 1912 births, 1927 marriages, and 1937 deaths can
also be borrowed 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. Use the
microfilm conversion list
to convert our reel numbers to one you can use at a
Family History Centre.
- Purchasing microfilm copies of the reels of indexes
and registrations that you require through the Ontario
Genealogical Society (OGS). For information on
how to place an order, visit the Ontario
Genealogical Society website or contact the
OGS at:
Ontario Genealogical Society
40 Orchard View Blvd. Suite 102
Toronto ON M4R 1B9
Phone: 416-489-0734 Fax: 416-489-9803
E-mail: provoffice@ogs.on.ca
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What if I need a Registration for Legal Purposes?
It is possible to obtain a certified copy of birth,
marriage and death registrations held by the Archives
of Ontario.
You or a representative must visit the Archives Reading Room (134 Ian Macdonald Blvd., Toronto) and print out the registrations
from microfilm in the presence of Archives staff, who will
then forward the printouts for certification by the Archivist
of Ontario. The printouts can be mailed to you or picked
up from our reception desk in about two business days. See
Archives of Ontario Customer
Service Guide 111: Genealogical Researchers in Ontario
for a listing of independent researchers people who can
be hired to perform a search for you.
As of April 1, 2000 all certifications cost $25.00 plus
HST.
Please note: The Archives does not issue
birth, marriage or death certificates.
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Can I buy vital statistics microfilm?
For information on how to place purchase
microfilm,
visit the Ontario
Genealogical Society website or contact the
OGS at:
Ontario Genealogical Society
40 Orchard View Blvd. Suite 102
Toronto ON M4R 1B9
Phone: 416-489-0734 Fax: 416-489-9803
E-mail: provoffice@ogs.on.ca
Please note filming of vital statistics is undertaken annually
based on what is received by the Archives in a given year.
Some records series have low annual accumulation rates.
Microfilming standards and best practices do not permit
the splicing of newly filmed material onto previously filmed
reels.
For vital statistics reference assistance,
please telephone,
write, e-mail, or fax the Archives of Ontario.
Archives staff will be glad to answer questions you may
have about using vital statistics microfilm. You may also
visit our Reading Room,
134 Ian Macdonald Blvd., Toronto.
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How can I access more recent vital statistics?
For Births 1916-present,
Marriages 1931-present, and
Deaths 1941-present,
you must contact:
Office
of the Registrar General
189 Red River Road
P.O. Box 4800
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Canada P7B 6L8
- Metropolitan Toronto residents call: 416-325-8305.
- Ontario residents outside Metropolitan Toronto: 1-800-461-2156
(toll-free).
- Outside Ontario: 416-325-8305.
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