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