Get research help
You can ask staff to help you navigate and access our collections or you can hire someone to do research for you.
Ask an archivist
Our reference archivists are trained professionals who can help you access and use our collections.
A reference archivist can:
- put in a retrieval order for you to view items in person
- process certified copies of records
- assist you with finding records related to your research topic
- show you how to use self-service record formats
- help you use Collection Search
- show you how to use weights and supports for maps, plans or bound volumes
- define unusual terms found in court, land records and other government records
Contact us by email or phone, or ask an archivist for help at a reference desk in the Reading Room.
Hire a private researcher
If you can’t visit us in person or need someone to work closely with you on your research project, you can hire a private researcher.
We keep a regularly updated list of private researchers who specialize in various research topics.
Note: Our lists are provided and maintained as a courtesy only. Clients are solely responsible for arranging and paying for private research services. The Archives of Ontario makes no claim to the expertise or quality of service offered by the researchers listed.
Private researcher list
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