Thursday, September 9, 2004

In researching my husband's family in Simcoe County, references are made to one being buried in FLANDERS FIELDS, another was a MASTER MARINER (I would assume on the Great Lakes), and the third, at one time drove on the WASSAGA STAYNOR STAGECOACH. Any suggestions on how to proceed on the above information. Thank you.

From Shelley: Your relation that was a Master Mariner, could have been the Captain of a ship or ferry. Wasaga is on the shores of Georgian Bay, and not far from Collingwood. Collingwood was a ship building town, unfortunately they no longer build ships there. Stayner is south of Collingwood and south west of Wasaga Beach. You could try either posting the information on one of the numerous free genealogy sites. Post under the surname or the areas that have to do with your queries. Good luck.

Wednesday, September 8, 2004

How can I find out where someone is buried in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada?

Same as you would find out where someone is buried elsewhere - cemetery records, obituaries, funeral records. Other options include OCFA (Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid) and the OGS (Ontario Genealogical Society) branch that covers your area of research. When writing to any society requesting information always include an SAE and 2 IRC's as a courtesy. Not all requests are fulfilled for free so be prepared to pay a nominal fee for their time.

My grandfathers brother Rickard Nordstrom emigrating to Canada, Ontario, around 1913. There are pictures of Rickard in a book called "Rock, Fur, Forest and Trees." It is a history of the area where Richard Emanuel Nordstrom lived. I think the name of the writer is Ronnie Rhind. Where can I buy this book or have copies from it?

Call your local bookstore, visit Amazon.ca, Chapters.ca and other such large bookstores. Also call specialty bookstores and request a search for this book. Meanwhile, visit your local library and put in an inter-library loan request. If you live near a college or university, do the same - you may not be able to borrow or request the book if you're not a student or faculty member but you can at least find out where the book is, and then have your local library request it.

My fathers grandfather came from Sweden to Canada 1911, how can I find his now living relatives? (Per Lindberg was born 1853, he died 1913 in Fort William, Ont, Canada).

Through obituaries (they list who's still living & where - follow the obits from old to new), city directories, phone books, funeral records. See our Check List and try any resource that would apply to those still living.

I am trying to find more information about an article that appeared in St Catherine's Journal, Ontario, 10/9/1859. The article was about the funeral of a child of an Oswego (New York) Irishman. (I'm trying to find the name of that gentleman.) Do you know of a good way to find a reprint of this paper?

If the newspaper was microfilmed you should be able to reprint the article. Head to your local library and ask if they have "Union List of Newspapers Held by Canadian Libraries" published by the National Library of Canada. It gives a listing of the newspapers available.

I am trying to locate parentage of my great great grandfather who was orphaned c. 1855 in Quebec area and indentured to a farm. Is there any data on indentured orphans anywhere?

From Carla Johnson - I had the same problem. I got ahold of my ggggrandfathers death certificate and his parents names were on it. If you can't find it there, try church records.

Is there a listing of what family trees have been worked on in Ontario and by who? I have been working on the Dewar Families in the County of Glengarry and often wondered who is working on what family trees and if there is a way to tie in my research with some one else.

No, but we do offer Surnames of Ontario to allow researchers worldwide to state their Ontario surname interests. Plus there are other forums that allow you to post what surnames you are researching. Paul Sheat's suggests the Rootsweb Surname Forum

I would like to do some research on the Land Titles & Registry in Ontario. Where it started, when it started, how it started, etc. I worked in the Port Arthur Land Titles & Registry Office 50 years ago, & at that time it was under the Attorney General's Department of Ontario. I don't think it is now, but I would like any help on how I could get information about the beginnings of the Offices in Ontario. Thanks in Advance

[From Cathy] Originally all land in Ontario belonged to the Crown. Although there were small areas of settlement in 1763 after the British took over, major settlement of Upper Canada began in 1783 and utilized Crown Grants. Many early settlers, both military and civilian, submitted land petitions to the Governor in order to obtain Crown land. Up to 1826 free land grants were available to all settlers, to government favourites, and to UEL children. In 1826 these free grants were abolished except Loyalist grants and soldiers, and anyone wanting Crown land had to buy it. Here is a useful web page with more information on that: http://olivetreegenealogy.com/can/ont/land.shtml

Are there records for immigrants who landed in Canada at Grosse Ile, if so, where are they located and are they on film? Thanks.

Yes there are. Some can be found at Immigrants at Grosse-Île

My Ontario family was involved in the building of the CPR across Canada. What are some ways that I can learn about their experience?

See: CPR Archives

Would there be like city directories to the Toronto areas. I cannot find any info without the proper dates but I know my great grandmother lived and died there up to mid 1940's.

Yes, there are city directories for most of Ontario's cities. This topic is covered on our City Directories page.

I would like a copy of my ggfathers naturalization record. I have all the information plus the naturalization number. So in a sense, it really isn't a search. Would I still have to pay the $75.00 they require to do a search?

According to the CIC Fee Schedule the fee for a search and the fee for a certificate without search are the same.

2010 Update:
For $5 you can apply for and receive Naturalizations Records between the years 1915-1932 using the LAC online index. You will have to provide proof of death when applying.

A census lists my ancestor as being born in "Canada ENG" - where is that?

That's difficult to answer as it has many meanings. The assumed answer would be Ontario, but that may not be entirely correct. It's safer to guess that it means your ancestor was born in Canada and their mother tongue was English. It doesn't narrow down the location but it also doesn't have you looking at just Ontario when you should also be looking at other English speaking areas of Canada (like the Maritimes). On the flip side if your ancestor was born "Canada French" assume it means they were born in Canada and their mother tongue was French (this again would not restrict your search to Quebec but to all French speaking areas)