Canada, Ontario Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This index covers events from 1779 through 1899. The entries are primarily from the International Genealogical Index (IGI) along with some entries derived from compiled and original records such as family records, church records or civil registration. It may also include indexes generated by the internet indexing project sponsored by the LDS Church. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.

The Vital Record Indexes are not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records, particular place or region. When we identify a complete set of records indexed within this index, we remove that smaller index and post it separately on FamilySearch under its appropriate title.

For over 30 years, volunteer indexers extracted this information from microfilm copies of the original records. In 1998, a few of the entries were published on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the "North America Vital Records Index." This is an index of some births and baptisms throughout Ontario. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsored this index to help individuals find information about their ancestors.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in birth and baptism index entries may include:


 * Name of the child
 * Gender
 * Names of the parents
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Baptism date (if the source is a church record)
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

How to Use the Record
The information could help you identify family relationships and lineages as well as direct you to original records of your ancestors, which may contain additional information.

In birth or christening records, if a surname is not listed for the child, the indexer often assigns the father’s surname to the child. This surname may not be correct. So if you are looking for a birth or christening, search by the given name of the child, adding parents' names and as much locality information as is permitted.

Search the Index by Name

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 compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

Finding the Original Source for an Entry in This Collection
Each entry in this index has a source listed which includes a batch number. You will need to trace the batch number for the individual entry to learn its source. Please see the following wiki articles for more information on batch numbers:


 * IGI
 * IGI Batch Number Descriptions

If an FHL film number is given in the entry for your ancestor, search for it in the Family History Library Catalog.

Related Web Sites
Ontario Birth Registrations

Related Wiki Articles

 * Ontario
 * Ontario Church Records
 * Ontario Vital Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did 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 is found in the Wiki Article: Help:How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Ontario Births and Baptisms, 1779-1899." database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 29 April 2011). Anna Dora Dillin, 9 August 1877; citing Birth Records, FHL microfilm 1,845,212; Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.