Canada, Ontario, Toronto Trust Cemeteries - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection covers cemetery records from 1826 to 1935.

These records include an index and images from several Toronto cemeteries, including: York General Burying Ground (also called Potter’s Field), 1826-1855; Necropolis Cemetery, 1850-1912 (the index will continue to 1935); Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 1876-1933; Prospect Cemetery, 1890-1935.

The records included were created to provide a list of those buried in the Toronto Trust Cemeteries: Potter’s Field, Toronto Necropolis, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, and Prospect Cemetery.

The registers are hand-written on a preprinted form. The names are arranged alphabetically by surname.

The first non-sectarian cemetery in the city of Toronto was created following the city council’s 1825 decision to purchase a plot of land for this purpose. This was ratified by Parliament in 1826 and the first public cemetery was named the York General Burying Grounds but became better known as “Potter’s Field.” This site would be sold off in 1855 and the remains moved to the newly purchased Toronto Necropolis.

As the city increased in population the trustees of the Toronto General Burying Ground would purchase the Toronto Necropolis from its owners in 1850. With continued increase in population in 1876 the Mount Pleasant Cemetery was added. Finally, in 1890 the Prospect Cemetery was added to serve the city’s growing west end.

This collection is a reliable record of individuals buried in the cemeteries, barring human error or deliberate falsification.

For a list of cemeteries currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
Cemetery records may include the following information:


 * Full name of the deceased
 * Age at death (year, month and day)
 * Place of birth
 * Date and place of death
 * Cause of death
 * Full name of nearest relative
 * Name of cemetery
 * Marital status
 * Date and place of burial

How to Use the Collection
To begin your search, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:


 * Name of ancestor
 * Approximate year and place of death
 * Name of cemetery

Search the Collection
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

To search the collection image by image ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page: ⇒Select the appropriate "Cemetery Name" ⇒Select the appropriate "Volume Number" which will take you to the images

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
This collection can be used to find valid information about individuals buried in the Toronto Trust Cemeteries.

Often cemetery records contain the birth and death date of individuals, their marital status, where they were born and the cause of death. This information can also be used to locate the grave marker or plot of an individual within the cemetery.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Search the sexton’s records, which should list everyone who was buried in the cemetery.
 * Relatives may be buried in adjoining plots, so examine the original record rather than an alphabetical transcript.

General Information About These Records
These records are especially helpful for identifying ancestors not recorded in other records, such as children who died young or women.

Related Websites

 * Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid
 * Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries

Related Wiki Articles

 * Canada
 * Canada Cemeteries
 * Ontario Cemeteries
 * Canada Maps

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from the record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find th record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you do not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched in found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Ontario, Toronto Trust Cemeteries, 1826-1935," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F3GG-7M9 : accessed 25 May 2012), James Harman, 1866; citing Toronto Necropolis Cemetery, Ontario, FHL microfilm 1,617,040, Salt Lake City, Utah, York General Burying Ground, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.