Canada Periodicals

Canada Online Genealogy Records Ask the Community

Overview
A periodical is a regularly published magazine, newsletter, or journal. Several valuable periodicals concerning Canadian genealogical research exist. Many genealogical and historical societies publish magazines and newsletters. The articles in these periodicals often include the following:


 * Family genealogies and pedigrees
 * Helpful articles on research methodology
 * Transcripts or indexes of biographical sketches, censuses, church records, migration lists, military records, obituaries, wills, vital records, and more
 * Historical background
 * Current and historical maps
 * Information about local and national records, archives, and services
 * Interesting articles about social life and customs
 * Book advertisements and book reviews
 * Advertisements of professional researchers
 * Queries or requests for information about specific ancestors that can help you contact other interested researchers

Periodicals
The following are some helpful periodicals for Canada:


 * Family History News 1995–. Published by Parr’s Publishing, 525 Ritson Road N, Oshawa, ON L1G 5R4, Canada. Telephone: 905-728-2037. FamilySearch Library . This includes reports and how-to articles from all regions of Canada.


 * Lost in Canada? 1975–94. Published by Mrs. Joy Reisinger, 1020 Central Avenue, Sparta, WI 54656, USA. FamilySearch Library ; also available on FS Library . It includes articles and records on eastern Canadian provinces.


 * The Loyalist Gazette 1963–. Published by Dominion Council of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada, 50 Baldwin Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1L4., Canada. FamilySearch Library . It includes articles and records on the Loyalists and their descendants in North America. There is a Loyalist Gazette Index 1963–1983 at FamilySearch Library.

Some historical and genealogical societies publish periodicals focusing on the French Canadian immigrants to the United States. These are often published quarterly and may focus on the immigrants to a particular region or state. Examples are:


 * Je me souviens 1978–.  In English. Published by American French Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 2113, Pawtucket, RI 02861. FamilySearch Library.


 * Lifelines 1984–. Published by Northern New York American Canadian Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1256, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. FamilySearch Library .)''


 * Michigan's Habitant Heritage. 1980-. Published by the French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan, P.O. Box 1900, Royal Oak, MI 48068-1900.

Also Canada Societies and the FamilySearch Wiki articles for the provinces.

Obtaining Periodicals
Copies of periodicals are available from the local societies that publish them. Major archives with genealogical collections will have copies of many periodicals, particularly those representing the area they serve. The Periodical Source Index, or PERSI, is the largest subject index to genealogy and local history periodical articles in the world. PERSI is available online and is especially useful because it refers to countless items published in thousands of family history periodicals worldwide. Learn more at the PERSI wiki page here:


 * Periodical Source Index (PERSI). Ft. Wayne, Indiana: Allen County Public Library Foundation, 1987-. (FS Library book ; 40 fiche (1847-1985); 15 fiche  (1986-1990).) Partially indexes over 5,000 English-language and French-Canadian family history periodicals. The microfiche indexes are cumulative; book indexes since 1986 are year-by-year. For further details see the PERiodical Source Index Resource Guide (34119).
 * PERiodical Source Index at Allen County Public Library; index.

Once you locate an article in a periodical, check the FamilySearch Catalog and regional or local libraries for available copies. The FamilySearch Library has collected many periodicals, with some available in digital format and accessible online. Canada periodicals may be found in the FamilySearch Catalog with a Place and Subject search, as found here: Canada-Periodicals. They can also be found by using:


 * Place Search of the country, state/province, and county
 * Title Search of the periodical
 * Keyword Search for the publishing society name.

Also find Periodical resources available at other libraries via WorldCat. As with the FamilySearch Catalog search, search WorldCat using society names, locality names, and periodical title names. Learn more about how to search WorldCat and the FamilySearch Catalog on our Wiki pages.

Canada Périodiques