Wentworth 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 the appropriate microfilm reference no. (eg, MS 887 reel 113). 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 the appropriate microfilm reference no. (eg, MS 887 reel 113). 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.
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.
- 1816-1858: The file number is written to the immediate RIGHT of the name (to the LEFT of the typewritten register page number). You may wish to consult RG 22 Appendix A25 instead of the index.
- 1859-1887: Between 1859 and 1887, surnames are entered twice - initially, there are alphanumeric entries between letters K and P which refer to the registers; these are followed by entries with numbers only which refer to NCB (ie. file) numbers. Use the latter (to the RIGHT of the name, it is mistakenly identified as a Grant Number).
- 1888-1930: Use the Number to the RIGHT of the name (the NCB number up to 1901 and the Grant Number thereafter).
- NOTE: In 1858, the Court stopped at #1339 (Old Series) and restarted at #1 (New Series) again. In 1928, the Court stopped at Grant #15312 and restarted at #1 again.
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 | 1816-1968 | GS 2, Reel 223 |
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.
| Registers | Year(s) | Archives of Ontario Microfilm Reference Number |
|---|---|---|
| Vol. U(17) | 1901-1903 | MS 887, Reel 1209 |
| Vols. W(18)-X(19) | 1903-1908 | MS 887, Reel 1236 |
| Vols. Y(20)-Z(21) | 1908-1912 | MS 887, Reel 1237 |
| Vols. A1(22) - A2 | 1912-1915 | MS 887, Reel 1238 |
| Vols. A2 (cont.) - B2 | 1913-1918 | MS 887, Reel 1239 |
| Vols. B2 (cont.) -C2 | 1915-1920 | MS 887, Reel 1240 |
| Vol. C2 (cont.) | 1919-1920 | MS 887, Reel 1241 |
| Vol. D2 | 1920-1922 | MS 887, Reel 1242 |
| Vol. D2 (cont.) | 1920-1922 | MS 887, Reel 1243 |
| Vol. E2 | 1923-1924 | MS 887, Reel 1244 |
| Vols. E2 (cont.) -F2 | 1923-1927 | MS 887, Reel 1245 |
| Vol. F2 (cont.) | 1925-1928 | MS 887, Reel 1246 |
| Vol. G(35) | 1927-1928 | MS 887, Reel 1247 |
| Vol. H(36) | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 1248 |
| Vol. I(37) | 1929 | MS 887, Reel 1249 |
| Vol. J(38) | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 1250 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1-55 | 1816-1825 | MS 638, Reel 1 |
| 56-125 (includes file from 1848) | 1825-1831 | MS 638, Reel 2 |
| 126-195 | 1832-1833 | MS 638, Reel 3 |
| 196-285 | 1833-1835 | MS 638, Reel 4 |
| 286-364 | 1836-1839 | MS 638, Reel 5 |
| 365-435 | 1839-1841 | MS 638, Reel 6 |
| 436-506 | 1841-1843 | MS 638, Reel 7 |
| 507-545 | 1843-1844 | MS 638, Reel 8 |
| 546-615 | 1844-1846 | MS 638, Reel 9 |
| 616-690 | 1846-1847 | MS 638, Reel 10 |
| 691-770 | 1847-1849 | MS 638, Reel 11 |
| 771-850 | 1849-1852 | MS 638, Reel 12 |
| 851-925 | 1850-1852 | MS 638, Reel 13 |
| 926-995 | 1850-1852 | MS 638, Reel 14 |
| 996-1036 | 1852-1854 | MS 638, Reel 15 |
| 1037-1050 | 1853-1854 | MS 638, Reel 16 |
| 1051-1118 | 1853-1854 | MS 638, Reel 17 |
| 1119-1185 | 1853-1855 | MS 638, Reel 18 |
| 1186-1260 | 1855-1857 | MS 638, Reel 19 |
| 1261-1337 | 1857-1858 | MS 638, Reel 20 |
| 1338-1339 | 1858 | MS 638, Reel 21 |
| 1-39 | 1859 | GS 1, Reel 593 |
| 40-160 | 1859-1861 | GS 1, Reel 594 |
| 161-285 | 1861-1864 | GS 1, Reel 595 |
| 286-405 | 1864-1866 | GS 1, Reel 596 |
| 406-523 | 1866-1868 | GS 1, Reel 597 |
| 524-644 | 1868-1870 | GS 1, Reel 598 |
| 645-771 | 1870-1872 | GS 1, Reel 599 |
| 772-904 | 1872-1873 | GS 1, Reel 600 |
| 905-1027 | 1873-1875 | GS 1, Reel 601 |
| 1028-1150 | 1875-1876 | GS 1, Reel 602 |
| 1151-1273 | 1876-1877 | GS 1, Reel 603 |
| 1274-1394 | 1877-1878 | GS 1, Reel 604 |
| 1395-1502 | 1878-1879 | GS 1, Reel 605 |
| 1503-1608 | 1879-1880 | GS 1, Reel 606 |
| 1609-1722 | 1880-1882 | GS 1, Reel 607 |
| 1723-1838 | 1882-1883 | GS 1, Reel 608 |
| 1839-1942 | 1883-1884 | GS 1, Reel 609 |
| 1943-2056 | 1884 | GS 1, Reel 610 |
| 2057-2166 | 1884-1885 | GS 1, Reel 611 |
| 2167-2285 | 1885-1886 | GS 1, Reel 612 |
| 2286-2395 | 1886-1887 | GS 1, Reel 613 |
| 2396-2502 | 1887-1888 | GS 1, Reel 614 |
| 2503-2614 | 1888 | GS 1, Reel 615 |
| 2615-2725 | 1888-1889 | GS 1, Reel 616 |
| 2726-2832 | 1889-1890 | GS 1, Reel 617 |
| 2833-2936 | 1890 | GS 1, Reel 618 |
| 2937-3046 | 1890-1891 | GS 1, Reel 619 |
| 3047-3157 | 1891 | GS 1, Reel 620 |
| 3158-3262 | 1891-1892 | GS 1, Reel 621 |
| 3263-3360 | 1892 | GS 1, Reel 622 |
| 3361-3458 | 1892-1893 | GS 1, Reel 623 |
| 3459-3556 | 1893 | GS 1, Reel 624 |
| 3557-3646 | 1893 | GS 1, Reel 625 |
| 3647-3741 | 1893-1894 | GS 1, Reel 626 |
| 3742-3796 | 1894 | GS 1, Reel 627 |
| 3797-3820 | 1894 | GS 1, Reel 628 |
| 3821-3924 | 1894-1895 | GS 1, Reel 629 |
| 3925-4024 | 1895 | GS 1, Reel 630 |
| 4025-4125 | 1895-1896 | GS 1, Reel 631 |
| 4126-4222 | 1896 | GS 1, Reel 632 |
| 4223-4320 | 1896-1897 | GS 1, Reel 633 |
| 4321-4423 | 1897 | GS 1, Reel 634 |
| 4424-4522 | 1897-1898 | GS 1, Reel 635 |
| 4523-4623 | 1898 | GS 1, Reel 636 |
| 4624-4726 | 1898-1899 | GS 1, Reel 637 |
| 4727-4827 | 1899 | GS 1, Reel 638 |
| 4828-4917 | 1899-1900 | GS 1, Reel 639 |
| 4918-5010 | 1900 | GS 1, Reel 640 |
| 5011-5103 | 1900 | GS 1, Reel 641 |
| 5104-5119 | 1900 | GS 1, Reel 642 |
| 5120-5285 | 1901 | MS 887, Reel 1910 |
| 5506-5615, 5590-5696 | 1902-1903 | MS 887, Reel 1913 |
| 5616-5766, 5697-5814 | 1903-1904 | MS 887, Reel 1914 |
| 5767-5841 | 1903-1904 | MS 887, Reel 1915 |
| 5842-5963 | 1904 | MS 887, Reel 1916 |
| 5964-6080 | 1904-1905 | MS 887, Reel 1917 |
| 6081-6204 | 1905 | MS 887, Reel 1918 |
| 6205-6325 | 1905-1906 | MS 887, Reel 1919 |
| 6326-6452 | 1906 | MS 887, Reel 1920 |
| 6453-6572 | 1906-1907 | MS 887, Reel 1921 |
| 6573-6703 | 1907 | MS 887, Reel 1922 |
| 6704-6822 | 1907 | MS 887, Reel 1923 |
| 6823-6938 | 1907-1908 | MS 887, Reel 1924 |
| 6939-7065 | 1908 | MS 887, Reel 1925 |
| 7066-7188 | 1908-1909 | MS 887, Reel 1926 |
| 7189-7316 | 1909 | MS 887, Reel 1927 |
| 7317-7446 | 1909 | MS 887, Reel 1928 |
| 7447-7574 | 1909-1910 | MS 887, Reel 1929 |
| 7575-7712 | 1910 | MS 887, Reel 1930 |
| 7713-7848 | 1910-1911 | MS 887, Reel 1931 |
| 7849-7975 | 1911 | MS 887, Reel 1932 |
| 7976-8109 | 1911-1912 | MS 887, Reel 1933 |
| 8110-8241 | 1912 | MS 887, Reel 1934 |
| 8242-8383 | 1912 | MS 887, Reel 1935 |
| 8384-8524 | 1912-1913 | MS 887, Reel 1936 |
| 8525-8652 | 1913 | MS 887, Reel 1937 |
| 8653-8784 | 1913-1914 | MS 887, Reel 1938 |
| 8785-8922 | 1914 | MS 887, Reel 1939 |
| 8923-9055 | 1914-1915 | MS 887, Reel 1940 |
| 9056-9189 | 1915 | MS 887, Reel 1941 |
| 9190-9324 | 1915 | MS 887, Reel 1942 |
| 9325-9452 | 1915-1916 | MS 887, Reel 1943 |
| 9453-9575 | 1916 | MS 887, Reel 1944 |
| 9576-9696 | 1916 | MS 887, Reel 1945 |
| 9697-9823 | 1916-1917 | MS 887, Reel 1946 |
| 9824-9953 | 1917 | MS 887, Reel 1947 |
| 9954-10085 | 1917 | MS 887, Reel 1948 |
| 10086-10214 | 1917-1918 | MS 887, Reel 1949 |
| 10215-10346 | 1918 | MS 887, Reel 1950 |
| 10347-10476 | 1918 | MS 887, Reel 1951 |
| 10477-10599 | 1918-1919 | MS 887, Reel 1952 |
| 10600-10744 | 1919 | MS 887, Reel 1953 |
| 10745-10872 | 1919 | MS 887, Reel 1954 |
| 10873-11014 | 1919 | MS 887, Reel 1955 |
| 11015-11146 | 1919 | MS 887, Reel 1956 |
| 11147-11283 | 1919-1920 | MS 887, Reel 1957 |
| 11284-11414 | 1920 | MS 887, Reel 1958 |
| 11415-11532 | 1920 | MS 887, Reel 1959 |
| 11533-11597 | 1920 | MS 887, Reel 1960 |
| 11597-11654 | 1920 | MS 887, Reel 1961 |
| 11655-11787 | 1920-1921 | MS 887, Reel 1962 |
| 11788-11916 | 1921 | MS 887, Reel 1963 |
| 11917-12054 | 1921 | MS 887, Reel 1964 |
| 12055-12181 | 1921 | MS 887, Reel 1965 |
| 12182-12304 | 1921-1922 | MS 887, Reel 1966 |
| 12304-12435 | 1922 | MS 887, Reel 1967 |
| 12436-12547 | 1922 | MS 887, Reel 1968 |
| 12548-12667 | 1922 | MS 887, Reel 1969 |
| 12668-12700 | 1922 | MS 887, Reel 1970 |
| 12701-12759 | 1922-1923 | MS 887, Reel 1971 |
| 12760-12814 | 1923 | MS 887, Reel 1972 |
| 12760-12814 | 1923 | MS 887, Reel 1973 |
| 12937-13067 | 1923 | MS 887, Reel 1974 |
| 13068-13203 | 1923 | MS 887, Reel 1975 |
| 13204-13331 | 1923-1924 | MS 887, Reel 1976 |
| 13332-13459 | 1924 | MS 887, Reel 1977 |
| 13460-13584 | 1924 | MS 887, Reel 1978 |
| 13585-13718 | 1924 | MS 887, Reel 1979 |
| 13719-13858 | 1924-1925 | MS 887, Reel 1980 |
| 13859-13989 | 1925 | MS 887, Reel 1981 |
| 13990-14120 | 1925 | MS 887, Reel 1982 |
| 14121-14248 | 1925-1926 | MS 887, Reel 1983 |
| 14249-14384 | 1926 | MS 887, Reel 1984 |
| 14385-14516 | 1926 | MS 887, Reel 1985 |
| 14517-14650 | 1926 | MS 887, Reel 1986 |
| 14651-14771 | 1926 | MS 887, Reel 1987 |
| 14772-14898 | 1926-1927 | MS 887, Reel 1988 |
| 14899-15024 | 1927 | MS 887, Reel 1989 |
| 15025-15136 | 1927 | MS 887, Reel 1990 |
| 15137-15243 | 1927 | MS 887, Reel 1991 |
| 15244-15312 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 1992 |
| 1-22 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 1992 |
| 23-118 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 1993 |
| 119-163 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 1994 |
| 164-196 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 1995 |
| 197-288 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 1996 |
| 289-384 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 1997 |
| 385-481 | 1928 | MS 887, Reel 1998 |
| 482-573 | 1928-1929 | MS 887, Reel 1999 |
| 574-664 | 1929 | MS 887, Reel 2000 |
| 665-760 | 1929 | MS 887, Reel 2001 |
| 761-851 | 1929 | MS 887, Reel 2002 |
| 852-947 | 1929 | MS 887, Reel 2003 |
| 948-1042 | 1929 | MS 887, Reel 2004 |
| 1043-1136 | 1929-1930 | MS 887, Reel 2005 |
| 1137-1228 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 2006 |
| 1229-1222 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 2007 |
| 1322-1416 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 2008 |
| 1417-1514 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 2009 |
| 1515-1612 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 2010 |
| 1613-1700 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 2011 |
| 1701-1709 | 1930 | MS 887, Reel 65 |
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 .
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
45 Main Street East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 2B7
905-645-5252