Immigration and naturalized citizenship records

We have provincial and federal records of immigration to and naturalized citizenships that occurred within what is now called Ontario from 1828 to 1979.

A pink paper slip that reads “good for one emigrant passage if signed by Emigration Agent” with the printed point of departure being Toronto and the handwritten destination being King.
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About immigration and naturalized citizenship records

We have a variety of records about people who immigrated to and sought citizenship in what we now call Ontario.

Immigrants include all people who left somewhere with the intention of traveling to and settling permanently in Canada. Both provincial and federal governments were interested in recording information about:

  • who was coming
  • from where
  • where they were planning to settle

Many records created by provincial and federal officials capture this information, although records before 1925 often list just the father’s name in place of a whole family travelling together.

Naturalized citizens are immigrants who want to gain Canadian citizenship.

Until 1947, immigrants from the United Kingdom (Britain, British Colonies and Commonwealth countries) to Canada did not need to be naturalized as a Canadian citizen since Canadians were legally considered to be British subjects. Immigrants coming from other countries before 1828 had to swear an oath to the British crown that made them a British subject. Afterwards, people took oaths as part of acquiring land (1828-1850), or swore an oath of allegiance before a County or District court judge (1850-1977).

What you need to find immigration or naturalized citizenship records

In most cases, you need to know the following to find immigration or naturalized citizenship records about a specific person:

  • name of the person (married and/or maiden name)
  • year they immigrated or became naturalized citizens
  • where they lived in Ontario (required only for some records)

If you don’t have this information, you can try researching related records.

Provincial immigration records, 1831-1902

We hold various records documenting the arrival of immigrants to what is now Ontario, including:

  • registers of arrivals and their destinations
  • correspondence between immigration officials
  • notes about financial assistance provided to newcomers
  • other administrative documents

Access:

Many of these records were created by the Toronto Emigrant Office. The office was opened by the government of Upper Canada in 1833. Its twin purpose was to boost immigration from Britain to the Canadian provinces and to keep and assemble records of newcomers (often referred to as “emigrants”) from small offices around the province.

After 1867, the federal government and province of Ontario shared responsibility for immigration. The provinces’ role was largely in coordinating settlement and providing financial support.

Note: not all immigrants to the province were recorded. Those who didn’t receive financial assistance or come through a settlement scheme were the least likely to be tracked.

Provincial immigration records table, 1831-1902

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Federal immigration records by year, 1865-1979

Canada’s federal government took responsibility for collecting information about immigrants in 1865, two years before confederation.

We provide access to copies of federal immigration records held by Library and Archives Canada for self-service research.

For more information about federal immigration records, visit Library and Archives Canada’s immigration research page.

Passenger and border entry lists, 1865-1935

Passenger and border entry lists provide varied information about people traveling to Canada by ship or crossing over land from the United States, including:

  • traveller’s name (usually just the head of a household)
  • age
  • country of origin (sometimes just port of departure)
  • occupation
  • race
  • religion
  • intended destination

Passenger lists, 1865-1935

Ship captains were required to submit a passenger list at the first Canadian port they arrived at. Passengers who arrived in the United States but were destined for Canada were recorded and passed to the government by consular officials.

Access:

Border entry lists, 1908-1935

Beginning in 1908, immigrants’ entering Canada through the land border with the United States at entry ports (official entry points) were recorded on border entry lists. Between 1919 and 1925, these lists were replaced with forms all immigrants were required to fill.

Access:

Home Children records, 1875-1932

Home Children refers to impoverished and/or orphaned British children sent to Canada between 1869 and 1932 to work as labourers on Canadian farms. Over one hundred thousand children were sent through such “assisted juvenile emigration” schemes, many of whom settled permanently in Ontario.

We have copies of federal records of inspection of Home Children performed in 1875 and 1886 (RG 11-7). They contain personal information about the children and their circumstances, including:

  • name
  • placement family
  • location of placement
  • living and working conditions

Access:

We also hold copies of federal juvenile immigration records (D 10), including:

  • one immigration register, 1878 to 1920
  • one index, 1892 to 1932
  • subject files about the immigration process and involved parties in Canada and Britain
    Access:
  • in person on microfilm (D 10), 1873 to 1966

Additional Home Children records can be found at various archives and libraries throughout Great Britain.

Central registry files of the Department of Immigration, 1873-1979

We have copies of the federal Department of Immigration’s central registry files (D 8) from 1873 to 1979. These records include:

  • immigration lists
  • subject files about changing immigration policy
  • Department of Immigration administration files
  • reports and documents from organizations involved in immigration

Access:

Naturalized citizenship records, 1828-1977

We have records of people born in other countries who formally applied to become Canadian citizens (Naturalized citizens) from 1828 to 1977.

Before 1828, anyone applying for a grant of land in Canada had to swear an oath of allegiance to the crown. This made them British subjects if they weren’t already.

Until 1947, immigrants from the United Kingdom (Britain, British Colonies and Commonwealth countries) to Canada did not need to be naturalized as a Canadian citizen since Canadians were legally British subjects.

Naturalization records, 1828-1850

We have a limited number of naturalization records before 1850.

Oaths of allegiance book, 1837-1842

We have one book containing oaths of allegiance sworn by non-British subjects seeking land in Canada (RG 22-771). The book merely lists names and dates.

Access:

Naturalization registers, 1828-1850

We have microfilm copies of federal naturalization registers held by Library and Archives Canada. They provide personal information, including:

  • person’s name
  • residence
  • signature
  • registry date
  • entry number

Access:

  • in person on microfilm, reels C-15692 and C-15693.

We have an index to this collection available in our Reading Room. Ask for the following publication series at a reference desk:

  • Donald McKenzie. “Upper Canada naturalization records, 1828-1850.” Families, vol. 18, no. 3 to vol. 20, no. 1, 1979-1981

Court naturalization records, 1850-1977

Between 1850 and 1977, people seeking to become naturalized Canadians in Ontario had to swear an oath of citizenship before a judge at a County or District courthouse. The current citizenship ceremony replaced this process in 1978.

We have some court records related to naturalization oaths, including:

  • registers and lists of people swearing the oath
  • correspondence and background files on applicants

Research these records in Collection Search with these steps:

  1. Select “Archival search” to narrow your search to our archival collection.
  2. Use keywords “citizenship,” “sessions,” “peace,” “court” and the name of the county or district where the individual you are seeking lived or likely swore their oath.

Published naturalization lists, 1915-1951

Library and Archives Canada has an online database of people who became naturalized citizens between 1915 and 1951. This database is created from lists of naturalized citizens published by the Canadian government in the Canadian Gazette and in the annual reports of the Secretary of State.

These records provide the following information about naturalized citizens:

  • name
  • country of origin
  • date of certificate
  • date of oath of allegiance
  • occupation
  • residence
  • registration number and series

Access online database.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for or want to conduct further research, you can try researching related records.

Birth, marriage and death registrations
The Government of Ontario has officially registered the births, marriages and deaths of residents since 1869.

Other records of vital events
These include records of births, marriages and deaths kept by religious congregations as well as some court records and cemetery records.

Get research help

We can point you to resources to help you with your research. Contact us.

For professional research help, we have a list of private companies and freelance researchers who can do research on your behalf.