Canada, Ontario Births - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This index covers births from 1869 through 1912. These records consist of birth records from Ontario, Canada. The linked search engine allows you to search for ancestors by first and last name, place, and year. Registrations were kept on printed forms and then bound into volumes. The entries are arranged chronologically by date of registration. In 1896, the process was altered. Division registrars received a copy of the registration forms from the person who reported the event. These forms were then indexed and entered into new registers. The division registrar made a copy of the form and every six months sent them to the Office of the Registrar General. After 1908, the division registrar made two copies of the original forms, who then kept one locally and sent the other quarterly to the registrar general. Later, the registrar general began indexing the registers Other records may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar General. An application form is required. The fee covers a search of records from a five-year period, including two years on either side of the date you request. Write to: Registrar General 189 Red River Road P.O. Box 4600 Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6L8 CANADA

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:


 * Full name of child
 * When the child was born
 * Gender
 * Name and surname of the father
 * Name and maiden surname of the mother
 * Occupation of father


 * When registered
 * Name of accoucheur (doctor or midwife attending the birth)
 * Signature description and residence of the informant
 * Where the birth was registered
 * County where the record was created

How Do I Search This Collection?
You can search the index or view the images or both. To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The name of a relative or date of the event

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Record Type
 * 2) Select Year
 * 3) Select Registration Number Range to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Cite the record. See below for help citing this collection
 * Look at an image of the original record. The original may contain information that was not recorded in the index. To find a copy of the original record, visit the FamilySearch page
 * Use the information you have found to find the person in census records
 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This can help you find possible relatives
 * Search the records of nearby areas
 * Check for other names. An individual might appear under an unexpected name for a variety of reasons:
 * They might have been listed under a middle name, nickname, or abbreviation of their given name
 * A woman may have returned to her maiden name after the death of her husband

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Ontario.
 * Record Finder
 * Canada Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.