My maternal grandfather came to Toronto in 1927 by boat from either Hamburg, Germany or Marseilles, France. Where would he have landed? How would he get to Toronto?

From Anonymous -- Assuming that he entered Canada through a Canadian port, it would have been Halifax during the winter months, or Quebec City during the rest of the year. Passengers rarely stayed on the boat beyond Quebec City - it was far faster to go the rest of the way by train. If you can find the passenger list, the railway would likely be identified, as tickets were to the final destination. If he was not from the UK, his port of entry might be shown on his citizenship record, if it still survives. (Some still do, while for others only an index card remains. You can request a copy of the file through Access to Information from Citizenship and Immigration). As well, if he ever entered the US through the Niagara Region at any point up until the late 1940s, there may be clues on the US Border Crossing records, which you can access through Ancestry.ca.

How difficult, and what resources would I view, to prove an adoption in 1908?

[From Cathy] Firstly, are you sure it was an adoption? Before the Adoption Act of 1921, adoption was rare - guardianships were more common. If you don't know which it could be, I would suggest that you look up "Guardianships" in the Ontario Archives to start with. Beginning with the Guardianship Act (1827) and until the Adoption Act (1921), guardianships (child custody without the right of inheritance) were granted through the local Surrogate Court. While not listed in most Surrogate Court indexes, guardianship matters are recorded in Surrogate Court registers, and later, for some counties, in separate Surrogate Court guardianship books.

To identify series that contain these records, search the Archives Descriptive Database (Archival Descriptions search option) using the keyword guardianship* (including the asterisk), the name of the county or district, and the archival reference code RG 22* (including the asterisk). Alternatively, consult Inventory 22 Courts and related officers records, vol. 1, for instructions on how to identify and access these records.

If on the other hand you are sure it was an adoption, then it does make it harder (but not impossible) to find. The Archives holds no adoption files, only guardianship records. Adoptions occurring before April 8, 1921 were made through an Act of the Ontario Legislature and are extremely rare. For instructions on finding an Act, refer to Research Guide 207: Researching Ontario Bills and Statutes

i was born in 1973 i was told that i had a twin brother, but i was also told that he had died at birth. How do i go about finding information to see if that is true.

You can apply for his death & birth record as next-of-kin (see Birth Records and Death Records). When applying for the birth record you must either supply the death record or apply for it at the same time. You will also have to provide proof that you are next-of-kin (i.e. a copy of your birth record showing the names of your shared parents).

Where would a person locate records of a traveling reverend H Wood of the Wesleyain Methodist Chruch.

If they exist you would find them at the United Church Archives. See our page on Church Records for links.

My house was built in 1863, I am trying to find out if it is historical since we want to renovate, can't find any info before 1943 and would like to know how to research who built this house in sutton and if there is any history behind this house and property. since I don't know who built it am having trouble reseaching through the internet or at the library. All I have for information Is LT 1 BLK 6Pl 69 Sutton Except R688746:georgina. Would like some help pointing me in the right direction as to how to research this

[Courtesy of Grace] You must go in person to the Land Registry office in Aurora, You'll be able to trace ownership of the land forward from the time ownership was granted. http://york.cioc.ca/details.asp?RSN=7897&Number=393