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
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.
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).
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 |
---|---|---|
Index | 1865-1970 | GS 2, Reel 86 |
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 |
---|---|---|
Vols. 5 - 7 | 1906-1923 | MS 887, Reel 1138 |
Vols. 7 (cont.), 8, 9 | 1918-1933 | MS 887, Reel 1139 |
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 |
---|---|---|
0001-0101 | 1865-1872 | GS 1, Reel 1207 |
0102-0207 | 1872-1876 | GS 1, Reel 1208 |
0208-0316 | 1876-1881 | GS 1, Reel 1209 |
0317-0424 | 1881-1885 | GS 1, Reel 1210 |
0425-0524 | 1885-1888 | GS 1, Reel 1211 |
0525-0616 | 1888-1890 | GS 1, Reel 1212 |
0617-0721 | 1890-1892 | GS 1, Reel 1213 |
0722-0817 | 1892-1894 | GS 1, Reel 1214 |
0818-0901 | 1894-1896 | GS 1, Reel 1215 |
0902-0986 | 1896-1898 | GS 1, Reel 1216 |
0987-1082 | 1898-1900 | GS 1, Reel 1217 |
1083-1116 | 1900 | GS 1, Reel 1218 |
1117-1200 also 5090-5135 | 1901-1903 | MS 887, Reel 1040 |
1313-1427 | 1904-1907 | MS 887, Reel 1042 |
1428-1548 (missing 1452, 1481) | 1907-1909 | MS 887, Reel 1043 |
1549-1662 (missing 1598) | 1909-1911 | MS 887, Reel 1044 |
1663-1767 (missing 1739, 1749) |
1911-1913 | MS 887, Reel 1045 |
1768-1885 (missing 1827) | 1913-1915 | MS 887, Reel 1046 |
1886-1986 (missing 1972) | 1915-1917 | MS 887, Reel 1047 |
1987-2084 (missing 2019) | 1917-1918 | MS 887, Reel 1048 |
2085-2192 (missing 2094) | 1918-1920 | MS 887, Reel 1049 |
2193-2314 (missing 2293) | 1920-1921 | MS 887, Reel 1050 |
2315-2429 (missing 2419) | 1921-1923 | MS 887, Reel 1051 |
2430-2551 (missing 2492, 2493) |
1923-1925 | MS 887, Reel 1052 |
2552-2669 | 1925-1926 | MS 887, Reel 1053 |
2670-2788 | 1926-1928 | MS 887, Reel 1054 |
2789-2881 | 1928-1929 | MS 887, Reel 1055 |
2882-2962 (missing 2942) | 1929-1930 | MS 887, Reel 1056 |
2963-3017 (missing 3016) | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 1057 |
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
Email: reference@ontario.ca
For details on photocopy charges, please see our Customer Service Guide 105: Reproduction Services and Fees - Word, PDF .
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.
Unified Family Court - Estates Division
41 Dundas Street West
Napanee, Ontario
K7R 1Z5
613-354-3845 (1979-1995)
613-354-3850 (1995-Present)