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.

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.

Is there a database/website in Canada similar to the Social Security Death Index in the USA, and if so what time period does it cover and where do I access it?

No, Canada does not have a similar database.  We do have Social Insurance but those records remain private.

What is the best method to find children of relatives who hve died in the last 10-15 years?

First you must know when and where your relatives died. If you don't know start with the OCFA to track down burial information. Once you have a date and place you can find an obituary that may list names and places of children. You can then use 411 or telephone listings to track them down. Another option would be to contact the funeral home and request contact with the next of kin listed.

Someone born in 1900 drops out of site in 1935. This person is last seen in 1954. You do not know if this person is dead or alive in 1999. How would you start to find out if that person is dead and where did they die.

Start with what you know. Where were they last seen? Who were their immediate relations (parents, siblings)? Track down these relations, through them you may find your missing person. Items such as obituaries, birth announcements, marriage announcements, wills, etc. may mention your missing person and their whereabouts. Try the Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid to see if your missing person is listed in a cemetery record.

How can I find out if a business still exists, or a person still lives in a certain house?

Visit the GenWeb site that covers that area and see if there are addresses that may assist you, or even a researcher in that area willing to help. If you'd like to hire a researcher, see OntarioGenWeb's list of researchers . If you'd like to trade, see OntarioGenWeb's Trading Post . On the internet you can try a search on Sympatico . Over the phone you could call Information at 1-(area code)-555-1212. Be aware that long distances charges and a small fee do apply (usually under $2 depending on your telephone service)