Ontario Adoption and Guardianship Records

Archives of Ontario

 * Guardianship and Adoption Research Guide
 * This research guide has information about guardianships and related records at the Archives of Ontario and offers information on agencies to contact about adoption records. Please note that The Archives of Ontario does not have adoption files, only guardianship records.


 * Genealogical Researchers in Ontario
 * Microfilmed records can be searched at the Archives of Ontario, requested in interlibrary loan for use in your local library, or you can hire a researcher from this list of individuals who are certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists or who are members of the Association of Professional Genealogists.


 * Prepare for Your Visit to the Archives of Ontario. File and microfilm numbers are listed for each county in the Research Guide.
 * For information and request forms for interlibrary loans, see What is the Microfilm Interloan Service?

Guardianship Records
The Archives of Ontario holds records of guardianships 40 year old and older, with a few exceptions, and some records that are less than 40 years old. Other existing records are at the local courts.
 * Pre-1921 guardianships are often erroneously identified as adoptions, even on the records themselves.
 * Guardianships appeared with the Guardianship Act, 1827.
 * The Act allowed a Probate or Surrogate Court judge to appoint an individual to safeguard the child's "property, person and education" until maturity.
 * If both parents were dead or destitute, a relative or family friend was often appointed guardian.
 * While the child was often said to be "adopted", they had no claim on their guardian's name or estate.
 * After Ontario made adoption easier in 1921, there were fewer guardianships awarded but some guardianships were made as recently as the 1970s.
 * The province-wide Probate Court existed until 1859. The Surrogate Courts, located in each county and district, existed until 1985.
 * Informal "guardianships" could be publicly announced with a deed poll. This is a declaration by an individual of their intentions and/or actions. It was deposited in the local Land Registry Office. Some deed polls may still be held by the Registry Offices.
 * Poor families rarely approached the courts or registry offices. Instead, they made informal arrangements with relatives or friends for the care of their children. Children formally awarded a guardian had no more public support than those left in the care of relatives of friends. In informal arrangements, no official records were ever created.