At the Library

First Steps

First, determine the location in which to search (local? other county? outside of Ontario?) and approximately the time period. Based on this, we can help you decide what kind of records are available and which might be most useful for you to begin with.

If unsure, start with the known, eg. grandfather’s name and approximate birth or death date and where he lived, then search a record that would take you one generation further back. For example, his birth registration or baptismal record would tell the names of both his parents.

Ancestry Library – a very useful database that is one of the most important genealogical collections available today. It has unparalleled coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom, including census, vital, church, court, and immigration records, as well as record collections from Canada and other areas. It is an excellent tool to use to find names and dates and locations to get the search started. Tip: click on Search and choose the geographic area, eg. Ontario, so there is a manageable number of databases.

>> How to Books on researching Family History

Where to Look for Local Information

• census indexes, cemetery transcriptions, marriages records (late 1700s to 1869 in book form)
• church records – for some London and Middlesex County churches; also a few from other counties in Ontario. May include births, marriages, deaths, baptisms…
• local indexes: for quite prominent people - analytics to books, genealogy index to periodical sources; for anyone local – scrapbook indexes
• early settlers project
• newspapers – obituaries, marriages, death notices, births. The London Free Press Indexes 1849-1880 (obituaries, births, marriages), 1977-1995 (obituaries, births): London Advertiser 1864-1936 – some births/marriages/deaths have been extracted and indexed. Also other local newspapers, eg. Strathroy, Glencoe…
• selected church histories and school histories
• township histories, eg. Delaware/westminster Townships, London Township and West Nissouri Township have published histories with an incredible amount of information on families
• historical atlases – 1870’s for most Ontario counties; show names of landowners of individual lots (available online). We also have earlier atlases for Middlesex (1862) and Elgin (1864)
• wills of Middlesex County – we have the index for 1846 to 1980 (wills are at Ontario Archives) and have the actual wills on microfilm for some of the early 1800’s
• Archives index (card file in Closed Stacks in the London Room) – for more information on local people and families

Where to Look for Ontario-wide Information

• Census for all of Ontario – on microfilm; some have name indexes. First try Ancestry for online versions of Ontario census from 1851 to 1911
• Upper Canada Land Index – for early people, i.e. crown lands
• Vital Statistics Index on microfilm: 1869 – 1914 (births)1869-1929 (marriages)1869-1939 (deaths).
  These records are available on Ancestry Library*, except 2 years behind the microfilm version; Ancestry includes complete records, not just index.
• Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms: for most counties in Ontario. Especially useful in the absence of birth registrations, since the information given is similar.
• Catholic Record – 1878-1948
• Browse the shelves in the London Room for the county you need; may find: birth/marriage/death extracts from local newspapers, county histories, church histories, gazetteers, various local indexes…

Where to Look for Canada-wide Information

• online versions for census online at Ancestry for all of Canada: 1851 to 1911
• for other years, Canadian census from anywhere outside of Ontario, on microfilm; can be ordered via Interlibrary Loan
• native records - Records of the Department of Indian Affairs at Library and Archives Canada: a source for Genealogical Research (r929.108997 Rus). Also, try links for native genealogy on Archives Canada website.
• passenger lists – see our passenger lists page. We have lists for the ports of Quebec and Halifax for some dates. Other dates can be ordered through Interlibrary Loan.

Where to Look for Worldwide Information

• Ancestry Library database (see description above under At the Library)
• See our "How To" books on many countries of the world, which describe records and how they can be accessed.

Websites

Archives of Ontario
This Genealogical Research section includes Family History Centers in Ontario, Getting Started in Genealogical Research, Major Genealogical Holdings at the Archives, Microfilm Loan Service, Preparing for Your Visit to the Archives, Reference List of Researchers, and more.

Canadian County Atlas Digital Project
This resource allows you to view historical atlases of various counties in Ontario. Searchable by name, county, township, town, birthplace or occupation.

Canadian Genealogy Centre (Library and Archives Canada)
The Canadian Genealogy Centre is an Internet resource that provides access to numerous genealogical websites across Canada. It acts as both directory and database in order to help you search for the genealogical information you need, be it cemetery records, parish records, historical newspapers or archival fonds. Under Databases, ArchiviaNet is an online research tool developed by Library and Archives Canada. It includes the 1871 Census of Ontario and the 1901 and 1911 Census of Canada; information on home children, immigration records and post offices; and an index to soldiers of the First World War, in many cases containing the scanned documents of enlistment.

Cyndi's List
One of the largest collections of genealogy links anywhere on the Web, Cyndi's List is a searchable, cross-referenced index of more than 180 categories. It provides an easy-to-access reference guide to the most useful genealogy websites

FamilySearch.Org (Church of the Latter Day Saints - Mormons)
The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world; includes a list of the Family History Centers.

Genealogy Register
Get started with the surname finder or read messages posted on their message board

Ontario Genealogical Society
Contains information about OGS-sponsored events and publications, contact information for useful research aids, links to other genealogical sites, list of  its 31 branches and a "How to Start Your Family History" section.

Our Roots/Nos Racines
Our Roots is a library, archive, museum and school all in one. Check the collection to find Canadian local histories in French and English. Check Educational Resources for learning packages for students and teachers.

Rootsweb
Bills itself as the Internet's oldest and largest genealogy site, offering a variety of services to the genealogical community. The searchable Rootsweb Surname List has surnames, dates and locations with contact e-mail addresses for contributors. Also includes Canada Genweb, designed to assist researchers in locating Canadian genealogical information on the Internet