Elgin County Surrogate Court Records
Surrogate Court Records Available on Interloan
To View the Microfilm
Use the listings below to identify the reel of microfilm that contains the information that you need. You may then:
Consult the appropriate reel at our reading room 134 Ian Macdonald Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M7A 2C5
or
Borrow the reel through the Interlibrary Loan Department of your public library. Quote GS 1, GS 2 or MS 887 and the appropriate reel #. These reels cannot leave the borrowing library, so make sure to request them from a library that has a microfilm reader.
or
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Purchase the appropriate microfilm reel directly from the Archives of Ontario. Quote GS 1, GS 2 or MS 887 and the appropriate reel #. For purchasing details, write the Archives of Ontario, 134 Ian Macdonald Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M7A 2C5 (put "Attention: Customer Services - Micrographics" on the envelope), telephone 416-327-1600 (call toll-free 1-800-668-9933 in Ontario only), or email reference@ontario.ca. For pricing information consult Customer Service Guide 105: Reproduction Services and Fees - Word, PDF.
Indexes - 1854 to 1966
The Indexes are organized by surname initial, then by the date that the deceased's estate was dispersed. Most indexes will provide the number of the deceased's estate file. However, some indexes will only list the register and page number where the estate file number is recorded (in these cases, you must next order the appropriate register for the date when the deceased's estate was probated).
In the table below, determine the reel of microfilm that you need and note the Microfilm Reference code. Please note that many estates were not dispersed until the spouse had died. Once you have the microfilm, search for the name alphabetically, then record the estate file number found in the NUMBER column to the left of the name (this should be a duplicate of the NCB number).
- 1850-1858 Use RG 22 Appendix A25 instead of the index.
- 1858-1930 Use the File Number in the NUMBER column.
Once you have the number, go to Estate Files to determine what microfilm to order to see the estate file.
| Indexes | Year(s) | Archives of Ontario Microfilm Reference Number |
|---|---|---|
| Indexes | 1854-1966 | GS 2, Reel 28 |
Registers - 1859 to 1901
The registers, also known as Probate and Administration books, contain the courthouse's copy of the grants of Letters of Probate (for estates with wills) and of Administration (for estates without wills). Information about registers is normally only included in this list if they serve as the only index to the estate file or if they contain the only copy of the wills.
In the table below, identify the volume that covers the time period relevant to your search and note the Microfilm Reference code. Once you have received the microfilm, look up the relevant entry using the volume and page number found in the index.
Once you have the number, go to Estate Files to determine what microfilm to order to see the estate file.
| Registers | Year(s) | Archives of Ontario Microfilm Reference Number |
|---|---|---|
| Vol. A-C (1-913) | 1859-1881 | GS 2, Reel 29 |
| Vol. D-E (914-1679) | 1881-1890 | GS 2, Reel 30 |
| Vol. F-G (1682-2209) | 1890-1894 | GS 2, Reel 31 |
| Vol. H-I (2215-1789) | 1894-1898 | GS 2, Reel 32 |
| Vol. J (2790-3090) | 1898-1901 | GS 2, Reel 33 |
Estate Files - 1854 to 1930
Estate files contain all the documents needed to grant Letters Probate or Letters of Administration, including the petition for probate or administration, the original signed Will, oaths of executors or administrators, tally of assets, and related evidence.
In the table below, identify the microfilm which covers the time period and estate file number relevant to your search. Use the indexes to determine the estate file number. Order the appropriate microfilm, citing the Microfilm Reference code. Once you have the microfilm, look for the estate file number, which usually appears at the beginning of each file on the docket wrapper, and may appear elsewhere throughout the file.
| Estate Files | Year(s) | Archives of Ontario Microfilm Reference Number |
|---|---|---|
| (Old Series) 1-54 | 1854-1858 | GS 1, Reel 79,80 |
| (New Series) 1-103 | 1859-1863 | GS 1, Reel 80 |
| 104-228 | 1864-1868 | GS 1, Reel 81 |
| 229-352 (230 missing) | 1868-1871 | GS 1, Reel 82 |
| 353-484 | 1871-1874 | GS 1, Reel 83 |
| 485-610 | 1874-1876 | GS 1, Reel 84 |
| 611-717 | 1876-1878 | GS 1, Reel 85 |
| 718-828 | 1878-1879 | GS 1, Reel 86 |
| 829-938 | 1879-1881 | GS 1, Reel 87 |
| 939-1046 | 1881-1883 | GS 1, Reel 88 |
| 1047-1156 | 1883-1884 | GS 1, Reel 89 |
| 1157-1260 | 1884-1885 | GS 1, Reel 90 |
| 1261-1369 | 1885-1887 | GS 1, Reel 91 |
| 1370-1474 | 1887-1888 | GS 1, Reel 92 |
| 1475-1579 | 1888-1889 | GS 1, Reel 93 |
| 1580-1684 | 1889-1890 | GS 1, Reel 94 |
| 1685-1789 | 1890 | GS 1, Reel 95 |
| 1790-1888 | 1890-1891 | GS 1, Reel 96 |
| 1889-1989 | 1891-1892 | GS 1, Reel 97 |
| 1990-2077 | 1892-1893 | GS 1, Reel 98 |
| 2078-2163 | 1893 | GS 1, Reel 99 |
| 2164-2255 | 1893-1894 | GS 1, Reel 100 |
| 2256-2339 | 1894-1895 | GS 1, Reel 101 |
| 2340-2428 | 1895 | GS 1, Reel 102 |
| 2429-2515 | 1895-1896 | GS 1, Reel 103 |
| 2516-2602 | 1896-1897 | GS 1, Reel 104 |
| 2603-2689 | 1897 | GS 1, Reel 105 |
| 2690-2782 | 1897-1898 | GS 1, Reel 106 |
| 2783-2872 | 1898-1899 | GS 1, Reel 107 |
| 2873-2966 | 1899-1900 | GS 1, Reel 108 |
| 2967-3060 | 1900 | GS 1, Reel 109 |
| 3061-3141 | 1901 | MS 887, Reel 401 |
| 3142-3225 | 1901-1902 | MS 887, Reel 402 |
| 3226-3335 (3257, 3280 missing) | 1902 | MS 887, Reel 403 |
| 3336-3411 | 1902-1903 | MS 887, Reel 404 |
| 3412-3489 | 1903-1904 | MS 887, Reel 405 |
| 3490-3577 | 1904 | MS 887, Reel 406 |
| 3578-3667 | 1904-1905 | MS 887, Reel 407 |
| 3668-3748 | 1905 | MS 887, Reel 408 |
| 3749-3835 | 1905-1906 | MS 887, Reel 409 |
| 3836-3924 | 1906 | MS 887, Reel 410 |
| 3922-4005 | 1906-1907 | MS 887, Reel 411 |
| 4006-5008 | 1907 | MS 887, Reel 412 |
| 5009-5111 | 1907-1908 | MS 887, Reel 413 |
| 5112-5212 | 1908 | MS 887, Reel 414 |
| 5213-5311 | 1908-1909 | MS 887, Reel 415 |
| 5312-5406 | 1909 | MS 887, Reel 416 |
| 5407-5494 | 1909-1910 | MS 887, Reel 417 |
| 5495-5565 | 1910 | MS 887, Reel 418 |
| 5566-5653 | 1910-1911 | MS 887, Reel 419 |
| 5654-5742 | 1911 | MS 887, Reel 420 |
| 5743-5834 | 1911-1912 | MS 887, Reel 421 |
| 5835-5934 | 1912 | MS 887, Reel 422 |
| 5935-6032 | 1912-1913 | MS 887, Reel 423 |
| 6033-6122 | 1913 | MS 887, Reel 424 |
| 6123-6218 | 1913-1914 | MS 887, Reel 425 |
| 6219-6316 | 1914 | MS 887, Reel 426 |
| 6317-6407 | 1914-1915 | MS 887, Reel 427 |
| 6408-6491 | 1915 | MS 887, Reel 428 |
| 6492-6579 | 1915-1916 | MS 887, Reel 429 |
| 6580-6665 | 1916 | MS 887, Reel 430 |
| 6666-6758 | 1916-1917 | MS 887, Reel 431 |
| 6759-6867 | 1917 | MS 887, Reel 432 |
| 6868-6963 | 1917-1918 | MS 887, Reel 433 |
| 6964-7066 | 1918 | MS 887, Reel 434 |
| 7067-7162 | 1918-1919 | MS 887, Reel 435 |
| 7163-7262 | 1919 | MS 887, Reel 436 |
| 7263-7354 | 1919 | MS 887, Reel 437 |
| 7355-7457 | 1919-1920 | MS 887, Reel 438 |
| 7455-7556 | 1920 | MS 887, Reel 439 |
| 7557-7650 | 1920-1921 | MS 887, Reel 440 |
| 7651-7744 | 1921 | MS 887, Reel 441 |
| 7745-7829 | 1921-1922 | MS 887, Reel 442 |
| 7830-7929 | 1922 | MS 887, Reel 443 |
| 7930-8013 | 1922 | MS 887, Reel 444 |
| 8014-8124 | 1922-1923 | MS 887, Reel 445 |
| 8125-8239 | 1923 | MS 887, Reel 446 |
| 8240-8354 | 1923-1924 | MS 887, Reel 447 |
| 8355-8418 | 1924 | MS 887, Reel 448 |
| 8419-8532 | 1924-1925 | MS 887, Reel 449 |
| 8533-8645 | 1925 | MS 887, Reel 450 |
| 8646-8756 | 1925-1926 | MS 887, Reel 451 |
| 8757-8869 | 1926 | MS 887, Reel 452 |
| 8870-8984 | 1926-1927 | MS 887, Reel 453 |
| 8985-9094 | 1927 | MS 887, Reel 454 |
| 9095-9204 | 1927-1928 | MS 887, Reel 456 |
| 9205-9290 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 457 |
| 9291-9380 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 458 |
| 9381-9479 | 1928-1929 | MS 887, Reel 459 |
| 9480-9576 | 1929 | MS 887, Reel 460 |
| 9577-9601 | 1929 | MS 887, Reel 461 |
| 9602-9699 | 1929 | MS 887, Reel 462 |
| 9700-9795 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 463 |
| 9796-9892 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 464 |
| 9893-9943 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 465 |
Estate Files - 1931-1970
Estate Files processed between 1931 and 1970 are with the Archives of Ontario; they have not yet been microfilmed. To order a copy of all or part of an estate file please contact us with: the estate file number; year; name of county/district; and name of the deceased. Please include: your name; address; telephone number; and a brief description of what documents you would like copied (eg. the entire file, only the will, etc.). Also, please indicate if you need the copies to be certified.
Archives of Ontario
134 Ian Macdonald Blvd.
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2C5
reference@ontario.ca
For details on photocopy charges, please see our Customer Service Guide 105: Reproduction Services and Fees - Word, PDF .
Estate files - after 1970
The estate files processed after 1970 have not yet been transferred to the Archives of Ontario. You must contact the courthouse listed below which originally dealt with that court matter.
Superior Court of Justice - Estates Division
70 Wellington Street
Brantford, Ontario
N3T 2L9
519-752-7828