Where can I find records of married British soldiers in the 41st regiment a foot? I am seeking military records, record of enlistment,or survival after the war of 1812, death records for the 41st regiment a foot or regiments that these soldiers were transfered to? This regiment shipped from Cork Ireland, Ship- Asia August 17, 1799 but I do not know where soldiers signed on, the 41st seemed to be the invalids regiment. Would like to know if they enlisted any new soldiers from Cork, Ireland.

Be sure to see our page on Military Records. For that time period, if there are records they'll be held by the British War Office.

Some of my ancestors are said to be United Empire Loyalists from the U.S. who immigrated there from England. Do you have any possible dates for these Loyalists entering Canada and where they may have settled?

The migration of Loyalists from the USA to Canada started in the mid 1770's, most migrated first to Nova Scotia (and what is now New Brunswick), then west to Upper & Lower Canada as free land was offered. Loyalist settlements in Upper Canada were mostly in Eastern Ontario (in & around Kingston) but Loyalists can also be found in other areas of what is now Southern Ontario.

I am trying to verify that an ancestor of mine, who was a personal representative of the Sovereign and acting out the duties of Canada's Keeper of Customs for (Quebec and Ontario) Between the years of 1820 1830. Are there any government or private resources that contain information about who was the head customs officer for this period for Quebec and Ontario? The individual’s name was Sir Richard Cross.

Probably! As Canada was not yet a country you might find these records are kept in England (see the UK National Archives: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk)

male ancestor died 1821 in Hamilton Twp. He left all his property to his widow and money to his daughters. If women were not allowed to own land in those days and he had no male heirs, what would have happened to the property?

[From Cathy]: Married women didn't have property rights but widows did. If the husband willed the house to the widow, it was hers.

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

In the time period of 1834-onward until Canada was a nation in 1867, how did one receive designation of a Justice of the Peace. Was this done by application or appointment and if so was it to Britain they made their requests?

[From Cathy] The people that would best answer your question is The Osgoode Society - they are the experts on Ontario's Legal History. The time period you are interested in was one in which many changes happened. They have just published a book answering all the questions you ask. The book is called Magistrates, Police and People: Everyday Criminal Justice in Quebec and Lower Canada, 1764-1837, by Donald Fyson, Professor of History, Universite Laval. See if you can get that on library loan.

What connection did the loyalists have with the American Revolution?

The American Revolution began in 1775 when several British colonies in America (USA) declared independence from Britain. The term Loyalist was coined when some individuals chose to remain loyal to Britain or chose to fight for/with Britain. So their connection would be with the British side of the Revolution.

Where did the Loyalists settle in Ontario?

Loyalists, like most new settlers, settled wherever land was available. Primary areas of settlement were along the St. Lawrence River and the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Large settlements of Loyalists can be found in the areas of extending East from Northumberland County to Quebec, and in the counties of Haldimand, Norfolk, Lincoln and Welland.

Is there a source for famine orphans, specifically those in indentured servitude where after a period of time (7 Years?) the individual was given land? Famine victim from Ireland o/a 1841-1846?

During that time period (actually from the last 1830's to the early 1900's) most immigrants were required to stop at an island in the St Lawrence river called Grosse Ile (part of the province of Quebec). During the famine period this quarantine island was their final resting place. Records of children orphaned on this island were well kept and can be found in several publications about this island. But being given land for indentured servitude is questionable. If the land was given by the person they were indentured to you may wish to check land records for transfer documents. I'm not aware of any program to provide famine orphans with free land. After 1826 Ontario limited free grants of land to Loyalist or Military/Militia claimants. Could try the petitions to Commissioner of Crown Lands of Ontario 1827-1756 [RG 1, Series C-I-1 at Archives of Ontario, MS 691.

Have used the index to war of 1812 war loss claims.(C-15720) Have found ancestor(s) listed in this card index with a reference number. Don't know what to do next. What resource does this reference number relate to?

[From Suzanne Schaller] -- C-15720 looks like a National Archives microfilm number. Have you tried looking at this film? Or, if the index is from the National ARchives (which I think it is), there should be info on what the reference number means, or else their reference department should be able to tell you. Hope this helps!

My ancestor in applying for land (& trying not to choke over the sugar melting in his mouth, apparetnly) reassures the council that he is not "affiliated with the Ryerson Faction" & other land petitions of family members refer also to "internal commotions"& "the MacKenzie Rebellion". What were these matters?

[From Suzanne Schaller] -- The MacKenzie Rebellion took place in 1837. See: The 1837 Rebellions and Rebellion of 1837 overview for more information. I'm not sure about the Ryerson Faction, but an online search might tell you something.

[From Leanne] -- The 1837 MacKenzie rebellion was instigated by William Lyon MacKenzie; earlier in his career as a reform politician, he'd been allied with Reverend Egerton Ryerson, a Methodist minister and moderate reformer. As MacKenzie's politics became more radical, he and Ryerson parted ways. Nevertheless, neither would have been greatly appreciated by the corrupt, conservative Tory regime in place at the time. So yes, the ancestor in question was definitely "sucking up" in order to be assured of a land grant LOL (nor do I blame him...that was something too important to fool around with).

Where can I find information and records on prisoners in Ontario penitentiaries between 1837 and 1851?

Inmate records are of an administrative nature and would be kept at the individual prisons. Obtaining this information may involve contacting either one specific prison or the prisons in the area involved. For instance Kingston Pennitentary has been the subject of many historical books on its first one hundred years and I believe that it has its own archives. To my knowledge there is no specific province-wide agency that has such info. {Special Thank you to Laura Carter for her help in answering this question}

I would contact the ministry of the Attorney General for penal system inquiries, even that long ago. They do have an "archive" division, because I have used it
ATTORNEY GENERAL
'Archives Division'
720 Bay St
Toronto ON M5G 2K1
General Inquiry: 416-326-2220
TTY: 416-326-4012
Fax: 416-326-4007

Which area was considered as Western Canada during the 1830's and 1840's?

Ontario :-) From 1841-1867 Ontario was known as Canada West and the Province of Canada's western edge was the current Ontario-Michigan boundary line. From 1791-1841 Canada West was known as Upper Canada. Before 1791 it was part of Quebec