Major Genealogical Holdings at the Archives of Ontario A Guide For Researchers

• Introduction
• Vital Statistics
• Court Records And Wills
• Land Records
• Diffusion Microfilm From The National Archives Of Canada
• Additional Archives Of Ontario Records

Introduction

The three primary collections of genealogical interest at the Archives of Ontario are the Vital Statistics, Court Records, and Land Registrations. The Archives also holds Ontario Census microfilm from the Library and Archives Canada (in addition to other federal microfilm of provincial interest). The information found in these four groups will dictate what other records should be investigated next.

Search every possible surname spelling, including phonetic and typographic errors. Record all archival citations in full. "RG" stands for Record Group, meaning a Government of Ontario record. "F" stands for fond, meaning the private papers of an individual or corporation. "MS" indicates a group of microfilm.

• Much of the Archives of Ontario MS microfilm mentioned in this handout is available through the Family History Centres of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
  
  
• The organization of the Indexes can be found in: Understanding the Vital Statistics Indexes.

Vital Statistics

You may also want to see our: Ontario Vital Statistics Bulletin: Researching Birth, Death and Marriage Records in Ontario .

Non-Civil Vital Statistics holdings include:

• Ontario Genealogical Society Cemetery Transcriptions (F 977) microfilmed to date (MS 451, 136 reels). Most complete collection is in the Canadiana Collection, North York Central Library of the amalgamated Toronto Public Library system (5120 Yonge St., North York, Ontario M2N 5N7, (416-395-5623).
• Miscellaneous church registers, now gathered together in the Church Records collection (F 978).
• Church, Clergy, and Clerk of the Peace returns.
• Various civil registrations, municipal censuses, school lists, and residency registers are widely scattered through our municipal records holdings.
• Sundry private papers holding family documentation.

These records are indexed by Town/Township, religion, or specific church. Check the Manuscript Card Catalogues (blue & green) by location or surname; Library Card Catalogues (white) by author, title or subject; and the Land Registry Office & Church Records Card Catalogue (grey) by location. Most church records are on microfilm.

Records of the Office of the Registrar General (RG 80) includes Indexes (where they exist) and Registration Books from the Office of the Registrar General of Ontario for:

• Births: 1869-1911
• Marriages: 1801 [predominantly 1835]-1926
• Deaths: 1869-1936

All of these records are publicly available on microfilm. The most recent transfers of records (1912 births, 1927 marriages, and 1937 deaths) are closed until they have been microfilmed. Besides being in the Reading Room, the microfilm is available through the Family History Centres of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or by Microfilm Interloan Service from the Archives of Ontario. You can also hire professional genealogical researchers to do your searches for you.

While there are a few parish registers in our holdings, the vast majority of church records are in the archives of each denomination. The religion of the persons involved (or parents in the case of a christening/ baptism) and location of the event is needed to determine which religious archive(s) might hold the record.

For information on births 1912-present, marriages 1927-present, and deaths 1937-present, or for any certificates, contact the:

Court Records and Wills (RG 22)

Estate Files and Wills

Within this Record Group are probates (if there was a will) or administrations (if there was not a will) granted to distribute the deceased's estate. Before 1859, estates were handled by the Court of Probate and the Surrogate Courts; after 1859, only by the Surrogate Courts. For additional information on how to find a will consult the following pathfinder Ontario Court of Probate and Surrogate Court Records: Wills and Estate Files

Court of Probate ca. 1793-1859

This provincial-level Court handled the deceased's estate if it involved property in more than one District valued at over £5. The wills are indexed in Series RG 22 Appendix A1 by surname ( A-G, H-N, O-Z). Both the index and wills have been microfilmed (MS 638, 106 reels).

Surrogate Court ca. 1793-1959

These County- and District-level Courts originally handled estates with property within one District. With abolition of the Court of Probate in 1858 estate matters were from then on handled by the local Surrogate Courts, except for large or contentious estates which were sometimes dealt with by the Court of Chancery. Most Indexes, Estate Files, and Register Books contain transcript copies of wills and letters probate. They have been microfilmed for 1793-1930. Post-1930 Estate Files are retrievable as originals from off-site storage. A minimum of 48 hours is needed to retrieve them to the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room. The exception is York County which is on microfilm up to 1967. After 1959, all estate files (including York County originals) are still controlled by the Courthouse in which they were probated.

RG 22 Appendix A25 (1793-1858) is the companion index to Appendix A1 (Court of Probate) for the same 1793-1859 period. It is a province-wide roster of all Surrogate Court wills giving the deceased's name, location, and year of probate. Later published surname indexes for 1859-1900 for many Counties are available in the Main Reading Room or for purchase from Generation Press, 172 King Henrys Blvd., Agincourt, Ontario, M1T 2V6.

Application to Probate 1859-1982

If the probating County or District is unknown, the Applications for Probate Books (RG 22-514) list every application to the Surrogate Court Clerk of Ontario for the right to probate a will or administer an estate. Indexed by surname, the Application Books will list the testator/ testatrix's name and which Courthouse processed their estate. Indexes and Applications have been microfilmed.

Divorce Decrees 1867-1978

1867-1930: Only the Federal Parliament could grant a divorce in Ontario. Couples had to have a private members' bill requesting their divorce passed, usually without debate, through the Legislature. For a copy of the Resolution or Act of Parliament, you must contact:

On 5 April 1927, the Supreme Court of Ontario was given the power to annul marriages. In 21 April 1931, their jurisdiction was expanded to include granting divorces, alimony, and child custody. The Archives of Ontario have the surviving Divorce Files for 1927-1978. For divorce files after 1978 contact the local courthouse where the divorce was filed. For courthouse addresses refer to the document - Ontario Court - General Division: Courthouse Addresses and Telephone Numbers.

Adoptions

Until Ontario's Adoption Act (8 April 1921), guardianships (child custody without the right of inheritance) were granted through the Surrogate Court. While not listed in the Indexes, guardianship actions are recorded in the Registers, and later for some Counties, in separate Guardianship Books. For adoption files, you must contact the:

Land Records

Ontario Land records fall into two categories: the early Crown Land records (property owned by the Crown) and later Private Property registrations (property owned by persons or corporations).

Crown Land Records (RG 1, Crown Land/ Natural Resources Records)

The Computer Land Records Index c.1780s-1920 indexes homesteaders and the first owners of Crown Land by surname and township. It lists settlers who (a) were interested in or were permitted to live on a specific Crown property pursuant to completing their settlement duties within a stated time and/or (b) received the PATENT from the Crown awarding private ownership of a specific Crown property. Given are: the petitioner's name and residence (if known); Township/ concession/ lot; date and type of Grant, and the archival source of the data. It is drawn primarily from:

• Crown Lands Registers for Fiats and Warrants (Series RG 1-145, on MS 693).
• Locations Registers 1790-1935 (Series RG 1-174, on MS 693)
• Peter Robinson Papers (F 61, on MS 12 Reel 2)
• Canada Company Sale & Lease files 1780-1920 (F 129, on MS 729, 8 reels).

Procedures for granting Crown Land changed constantly but could involve:

• The settler's initial Petition to the Crown for land
• An Order-in-Council from a federal Land Board granting their request
• A Warrant from Ontario's Attorney General ordering the surveying of a lot
• The Fiat from Ontario Surveyor General authorizing a grant of the surveyed lot
• A Location Ticket permitting the settler to reside on the lot
• The Patent transferring ownership of the lot from the Crown to the settler.

Which records you will need depends on the decade, location, and success of your ancestor in acquiring land. Of the four kinds of land grants, only the Free Land Grant (FG), allowing the settler to live on a specific parcel of Crown land, produced many Crown Land records (see below). Sales, Leases, and Assignments (locatee being the second person offered this parcel of land) generate very few Crown Land records. NOTE: being granted the right to settle on Crown land did NOT always result in ownership of it. Always check the later Private Property registrations (see RG 61 Property Rights Registration Records below).

If your ancestor's Computer Land Records Index entry cites the Canada Company Papers (F 129), also check their Applications for Deeds 1827-1949 (Series B-3), Registers of Wills 1826-1920, Power of Attorney files 1826-1926 (Series A-7-1), and Burial Certificates 1842-1923. Especially their Remittance Books (Series C-7, Vols. 1-4) listing overseas names and addresses to whom money was sent.

Land Petitions

Free Grant Petitions sent to the Commissioner of Crown Lands of Ontario 1827-1856 (Series RG 1-54-2) are on MS 691, 77 reels. Free Grant Petitions sent to the Crown are in Library and Archives Canada. However, the surname card index 1792-1867, Upper Canada Land Petitions and, Upper Canada Land Books are available at the Archives of Ontario on microfilm.

Orders in Council (Series RG-1-50)

If the original Land Petition is missing, it may be found in this series, arranged alphabetically by grantee or place.

Letters to the Surveyor General and Commissioner of Lands (Series RG 1-2-4)

Correspondence received 1786-1905 by the Surveyor General and, later, the Land Commissioner is microfilm on MS 563, 36 reels. The Crown Land Correspondence Card Catalogue indexes the letters by sender for c.1786-1868 while the Crown Lands (RG 1) Inventory lists them by date.

Patents (RG 53, Official Documents Section)

Once the administrative fees were paid and the settler's duties completed, the patent awarding private ownership of a Crown land parcel could be issued. A microfilmed index (MS 1, 12 reels) by surname to 1825 and by township to 1850 lists the issue date. Copies of patents are issued by Ministry of Natural Resources, Land and Natural Heritage Branch, Crown Patent Register, 300 Water Street, P.O. Box 7000, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 8M5.

Heir and Devisee Commissions

The First Heir and Devisee Commission 1797-1804 (federal) and Second Heir and Devisee Commission 1805-1911 (provincial) adjudicated disputed land claims and titles. If the original locatee had died or vanished, the heirs could appeal for the right to his/her patent. Their submitted documentation can include location tickets, copies of wills, mortgages, affidavits, and testimonial letters. The First Commission records are at Library and Archives Canada (see below) while the Second Commission Records RG 40 are at the Archives of Ontario. The Index (MS 556, 6 reels) and Proceedings (MS 657, 100 reels) are on microfilm.

Military Land Grants 1901-1922 (Series RG 1-99-1)

Free Grants offered after 1901 for service during the Fenian Raids (1860s) or South African Campaign (1899-1902). Surname indexes, giving the grant numbers to order, are on microfilm (MS 554, 1 reel).

Township Papers (Series RG 1-58)

Arranged by Township/ concession/ lot, these files deal primarily with the original locatees but may contain other Crown Land records. Microfilmed (MS 658, 541 Reels), they can include location tickets, assignments, certificates of settlement duties, and correspondence.

Private Property Records (RG 61, Property Rights Registration Records)

The RG 61 Inventory lists our holdings from each County or district Land Registry Office (LRO), including a glossary of terms used in land registration. The Archives holds no land titles, only microfilm copies of LRO originals for southern Ontario 1793-c.1880. The microfilmed records are indexed by Town or Township in the Land Registry Office & Church Records Card Catalogue (grey drawers). They include:

• Abstract Indexes (1792-c.1880) give the legal history of each lot alienated from the Crown.
• Instruments (1792-1876, indexed under "DEEDS") are memorials or contracts altering or affecting the ownership of a lot. Recorded in Copybooks, they include Bargain and Sales, Bill of Sale, Deeds, Mortgages, Wills, Quit Claims. Some Copybooks are nominally indexed.
• Alphabetical Indexes exist for some townships after 1865. These are dual indexes arranged by seller (grantor) and by buyer (grantee).

The date ranges given are only for the material held by the Archives. Original Abstracts and Instruments to the present are in the local Land Registry Office. Also, see the maps, plans and surveys in the Cartographic Collection (see below).

Diffusion Microfilm From The National Archives Of Canada

The Archives of Ontario has thousands of National Archives of Canada [NA] microfilm reels. While the complete NA Finding Aids are available, only the microfilm relating to Ontario has been acquired. The more useful genealogical holdings include:

• Colonial and Federal Census 1851-1901 [NA RG 31, A 2]. Arranged by Town/ Township, these record a person's age, country of birth and origin, religion, and occupation. For 1851 and 1861, there are agricultural censuses showing the concession/ lot, buildings and livestock the family owned. The 1871 census has been indexed by surname by the Ontario Genealogical Society (30 Vols., 1986-1992).

• First Heir and Devisee Commission 1797-1804 [NA RG 1, L 5]. See Inventory 40 in the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room.
• Claims for Civilian Losses 1813-1848 [NA RG 19, E 5a]. Heard by the Board for Claims for War of 1812 Losses. See Inventory D 1 in the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room.
• British Military and Naval Records, "C" Series 1767-1896 [NA RG 8]. Volumes, bound by subject and regiment. See Inventory D 2 in the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room.
• Sir Frederick Haldimand Papers 1758-1784 [NA MG 21, G 2]. See Inventory D 7 in the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room.
• United Empire Loyalist Lists, [ca. 1802]-1875, 2 Volumes. See finding aid for RG 1-515 in the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room. Also see microfilm reel C 2222.
• Upper Canada Marriage Bonds 1803-1848 [NA RG 5, B 9]. Index on reels H 1126 to H 1128; bonds on reels C 6777 to C 6791.
• Upper Canada Land Patents Index, 1793-1826, on microfilm reels C 4157 and C 4158.
• Federal Immigration Branch [NA RG 76]. Includes Central Registry Files 1873-1979; see Inventory D 8 in the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room. Juvenile Immigration Records with Soundex Card Indices 1892-1932 and Registry of British Children Immigrating to Canada 1878-1920; see Inventory D10. Border Entry Lists, 1908-1919, and Ships' Manifests, 1865-1920, of immigrant, visitor, transit persons, and returning Canadian lists, arranged by place of entry, then date; see Inventory D20.
• Indian Affairs [NA RG 10]. Includes Ontario Central & Field Agency files 1667-1971. See Inventory D9 in the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room.
• Loyalist Claims and Conversion List 1790-1837. Audit Office 12 & 13 compensation claims for land and goods lost during the American Revolution. See Inventory D12 in the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room.
• War Diaries 1914-1918 [NA RG 9] (on MS 827) There is no nominal index, you must know the rank, regiment, and theatre of war for your ancestor. See Inventory D24 in the Archives of Ontario Main Reading Room.
• Public Archives Finding Aids. Microfiches of hundreds of Library and Archives Canada Finding Aids.

Additional Archives Of Ontario Records

Municipal Records. Incomplete holdings of southern Ontario Municipal and Township records, predominantly 1850-1900, older areas to c.1810. Items of genealogical interest could include, local census, assessment and collection rolls, poll books, school lists, and voters' lists. Indexed in the Manuscript Card Catalogues (blue) and the Municipal Records finding aids. Some of the material is microfilmed.

Genealogical & Biographical Card Catalogue. A nominal index to some of our most historic collections, complied in the early years of the Archives.

Genealogies Collection (F 277). A collection of early genealogies donated to the Archives. Indexed by surname, microfilmed on MS 871, 22 reels. Also, see the Register of Genealogists in the Main Reading Room, indexed by the surnames they are researching.

Education Records (RG 2). Items of genealogical interest include: Trustees' biannual Returns, Annual Reports, Attendance Lists for Grammar Schools 1854-1871, Local Superintendents' Reports 1850-1870 (lists teacher's names), and High School Inspectors Annual Reports 1872-1932. Most 20th Century material is restricted under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (1988).

Newspaper Collection. Indexed by city, the Newspaper Card Catalogue (white) gives the "N" microfilm numbers to over 450 pre-1930 Ontario mastheads. All newspaper microfilm is on self-serve.

Immigration Records of the Province Of Ontario (RG 11). The Archives has provincial records for 1867-1902 (see federal immigration records above). Includes letter books and registers, destination registers, and passenger warrants. A detailed Inventory is available.

Multicultural History Collections. The huge Multicultural Historical Society of Ontario Papers (F 1405) is only one of many labour, religious, and social records relating to Ontario ethnocultural communities.

Archives Of Ontario Library. A large collection of published materials, including: local histories, voter lists, historical society journals, and genealogical publications. The Archives has an extensive collection of county and city directories back to the 1830s, and Bell telephone books 1879-1979. Due to its archival nature, the collection is not available by inter-library loan. Published genealogies are not collected but are available at the Canadiana Collection, North York Central Library (5120 Yonge St., North York, Ontario M2N 5N7, (416-395-5623).

Cartographic Collection (2nd Floor). An extensive collection including some settlement maps (showing lot ownership) as well as Land Patent, and urban, township, and county/district maps. Card catalogued by location. County gazetteers and atlases 1870s-1880s are also available in the Reading Room.