Canada, Ontario Church and Civil Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is in This Collection?
This collection includes an index of selected births, baptisms, marriages, deaths, and burials from 1801-1948. Nearly all important records in Ontario were recorded in church registers before 1869. At this time, many baptisms were performed in whatever church was nearest out of convenience. And because only certain denominations were legally allowed to perform marriages, couples sometimes had to be married by a priest or minister of a religion other than their own.

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

Birth
 * Name
 * Birthdate
 * Gender
 * Father’s name
 * Mother’s name and maiden name
 * Father’s occupation
 * Name and signature of informant
 * Date of registration
 * Name of accoucheur (male midwife)
 * Division

Marriage
 * Name
 * Age
 * Residence
 * Place of Birth
 * Previous marital status
 * Occupation of groom
 * Religious denomination
 * Names of parents
 * Signatures of couple
 * Signatures and place of residence of witnesses
 * Pastor
 * County
 * Parish
 * Date of registration

Death and burial
 * Parent’s names if it is a child
 * Age
 * Husband’s name if deceased is a married woman
 * Place of burial
 * Date of death
 * Date of Burial

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?

 * Look at an image of the original record. The original may contain information that was not recorded in the index.
 * Use the information you have found to find the person in census records.
 * Use any family members’ names included on the record to continue tracing the line.
 * Use any birth, marriage, or death dates found to search in other indexes.

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. (Add this phrase when you are sure that people crossed boundaries to record events. Do not send someone to another country. Don’t waste their time).
 * 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 Canada.
 * Ontario Church Records
 * Record Finder
 * 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.