I have found a relative on the 1861 census of Frontenac County, Ontario on Ancestry.com in the USA. I know how to get hold of free images for the various census of the United States and am wondering how I can go about it for Canada. Are the images on microfilms at the Library and Archives Canada public domain? If so, do you know where to get a copy of the film or public domain images made from it? If not, are there any public domain images, microfilm or digital, of the 1861 census.

The Canadian census images that appear on Ancestry are provided by Library & Archives Canada (LAC) through a collaborative partnership between Ancestry and LAC¹. With the current exception of the 1921 census (Ancestry only) and 1825-1842 censuses (LAC only), all digitized census images can be viewed on both websites.

Ancestry requires a subscription to access all but the 1921 census (which is free to view with free registration), access to LAC is completely free (no registration or subscription).

Microfilm of Canadian census records can be viewed at any Family History Centre worldwide. For those within Canada it can also be viewed at LAC and any Canadian library or archive with microfilm capabilities.

For terms of use of LAC images see: Using Files Located on Non-Government of Canada Servers and Copyright / Permission to Reproduce

¹ Library and Archives Canada Agreement with Ancestry.ca, Library and Archives Canada Partners with Ancestry.ca

I am traveling to the Oshawa/Whitby area for research. Where do I go to do the research please?

Start with the County GenWeb that covers your area of research. In this case, Durham County GenWeb. Many GenWebs include a list of local repositories and our coordinators can be contacted for suggestions if needed.

In 1846 I had a relative living in "Cat Fish Creek, Upper Canada". Is there any source I might access that would assist me in locating where this couple resided?

The Ontario Locator is a searchable directory of Ontario place names past & present.

When will the 1921 census be released?

The 1921 census is expected to be released to Library & Archives Canada on June 2, 2013. However there's no date set for when the LAC will allow public access to the census though it's presumed to be sometime later this year.

John Reid's "Anglo-Celtic Connections" provides excellent updates on the status of the 1921 census.

Do you know if there are parts to the 1851 Canadian Personal Census missing?

Quite a few parts of the 1851/2 Census are missing. They were lost or destroyed so no copies remain.

For some areas the personal census was lost but the agricultural was not.

 For a list of Ontario census records, including what is and isn't missing, see our census project.

Where can I get records for the Simcoe Reformatory Prison in 1861?

If records still exist they will be held either by the Archives of Ontario or Library & Archives Canada.

I am trying desperately to find information about my maternal grandfather. His name was Robert Spence. His death occurred somewhere between 1945 and 1955. What route should I take to obtain the information I require.

You can request a death records search from Service Ontario and use the result to order a death certificate.  Anyone can apply for a short form death certificate but next-of-kin (proof required) can request a long form which will be certified and include more information.

My husband's parents died and were buried in the Peterborough area in the 1980's. The family can't recall the name of the cemetery. How can we find out where they are buried?

Start by searching the available online cemetery websites such as CanadaGenWeb's Cemetery Project, OCFA, OGS and The Canadian Gravemarker Gallery.

If none yield results contact the local branch of the Ontario Genealogy Society.  Each OGS branch has compiled cemetery transcripts for their area.

You could also locate their obituaries to see if a cemetery was mentioned and contact local funeral homes to see which one may have handled the service.

Are there any Bastardy records kept in 1859 for illegitimate children?

Help! Do you have an answer to this question? Please post a comment.

My uncle was taken to Canada in 1914 as a Barnardo boy. He died in 1931 in a road accident. What records would have been kept about him during his life (he always worked on a farm) and where can I find them.

Beyond the usual records that would apply to any person who lived in England & Ontario (birth, marriage, death, newspaper, etc), there might be a passenger list showing when he emigrated to Canada as well as records kept by Barnardo's. Besides caring for the children in England, Barnardo's may have kept record of their time in Canada until they reached legal age.

Barnardo's Family History Service

Library & Archives Canada Home Children Database

Thanks to Marj Kohli for her assistance.

How can I find someone in Ontario who may, or may not be deceased?

If presumed living...

• Social Media: Regardless of age people are flocking to social media to stay in touch with far-flung relations. Don't restrict your search to just the person you seek. If you know of any relations, spouse, children, etc. try them all!

• Search Engines: Try Google and the new genealogy-focused site Mocavo.

• Telephone Listings: Canada 411, if they have a publically listed phone number it'll be here. There is also an option to do a reverse address search. Some phone providers (like Telus) also offer their own phone listings that may not be available on Canada 411.

If presumed deceased...

• Death Records: Are only available to next-of-kin or a legal representative until 72 years have passed. After 72 years death registrations are released to Archives of Ontario and can be publically viewed.

• Cemetery Records: Search OCFA, OGS, CanadaGenWeb's Cemetery Project and other websites that offer Ontario cemetery recordings.

• Obituaries: Obituary Daily Times offers an index of some Ontario obituaries, mostly from the past decade. If you know the last known residence of the person you're seeking check local newspapers, many Ontario newspapers now offer an online index of obituaries from 2002 onward.

If you are unable to locate the person in question broaden your search to include their family. A parent, sibling, or child's obituary might yield new clues. Don't forget to browse some online trees to see if someone else is researching the same family.

Where would I find an obituary from 1908?

Archives of Ontario (Toronto) offers a newspaper research guide. The guide includes a list of microfilmed newspapers that are available in their holdings. Note that most of these newspapers can only be viewed at the Archives.

Library & Archives Canada (Ottawa) has a list of newspapers at Library & Archives Canada. Some of these newspapers may be available through inter-library loan.

Many local archives (such as Norwich & District Archives, Stratford-Perth & Dufferin County Museum & Archives to name just a few) have archived copies of local newspapers available for research. Many of these archives require a visit in person but some offer research services.

There are also some Ontario newspapers that have been digitized and are available through subscription services such as Paper of Record and Newspaper Archive. You can view a list of newspaper titles to see if the newspaper you seek is available before subscribing.

In 1940, how do I find out the area that a particular Rural Route Number covered? Example: RR1 Cloyne Ontario

Help! Do you have an answer to this question? Please post a comment.

Are there online, directories for trades & professions for the period 1920-1944 for Ontario?

Directories known to be online are linked from our links page (if readers know of any others please leave a comment).

Some directories are available to search in person at Library & Archives Canada but for most you will have to visit a library in the area of research or have someone visit on your behalf.

The Toronto Public Library's Ask A Librarian service will search three years of Toronto directories per request.

Do you have information available on your website for the Agricultural Component of the 1851,1861 and 1871 censuses?

Several agricultural census transcripts are available at our Census Project.

The 1851 agricultural census is also available at Library & Archives Canada.  Choose Schedule B.

I would like to find a sibling placed for adoption. How would I go about locating this individual?

The first step for anyone seeking a sibling or child placed for adoption in Ontario is the website Access to Adoption Records Act maintained by the government. From there you can apply to the Adoption Disclosure Registry. This registry exists to bring together adoptees and birth relations and is free to use.

While awaiting a match, if the adoptee was placed through the Children's Aid Society you can apply for non-identifying information. There are also numerous internet sites set up for this type of search where you can post your information and hope the adoptee sees it and gets in touch. Be sure to also seek out local adoption groups (such as Parent Finders) for advice and support.

Looking for a cemetery with pictures, where can I look?

There are several websites that offer cemetery photos but as this is a GenWeb site we suggest starting with CanadaGenWeb's Cemetery Project.

How would I learn more about a sailing vessel and its dates of departure & arrival?

There are several types of records relating to ships including lists of voyages, crew, passengers and cargo.The Maritime History Archive has a great website that provides information on where to locate information on vessels that sailed in Canadian waters.

However, if seeking information on passengers note that these records do not exist prior to 1865.  Passenger lists from 1865-1922 can be found at Library & Archives Canada.

Is there a CDN oriented search engine that against a name inquiry will return place names, ages and related persons similar to www.peoplefinders.com or www.intellius.com for the States? I must be missing something,or maybe CDN privacy laws restrict this.

No, the closest is http://canada411.ca which lists only names, addresses & phone numbers of telephone subscribers.

How do I go about finding a death & burial that occurred about 1848?

Our Research By Year pages detail what records are available during specific time periods. For 1848 see the 1840-1849 page. As a death during this time period pre-dates Vital Registration you will have to seek out church and cemetery records.

Also see our links page for a link to the genealogy group that covers the area where the death took place. Many genealogy groups have published transcripts of local cemeteries plus have a wealth of local knowledge.

As well be sure to check out the Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid and CanadaGenWeb's Cemetery Project.