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

I need help with copyright laws in Ontario, for newspaper obituaries. I have transcribed numerous obits/bmds and want to understand if there are any copyright laws I need to worry about when posting the information on my website. I was not charged for the information (only photocopy costs) and I am not charging for the information. I would obviously site the source with the records...but do I need to worry about anything?

Courtesy of Allan via Bryan Cantley of the Canadian Newspaper Association - Copyright subsists in any original work. An obituary can contain original work unless it is a basic "John Doe of such and such address died on January 21, 2006". Even though copyright may subsist in an obituary that merely means that the original expression cannot be copied to any substantial degree. The facts in the obituary however can be copied or repeated.