Below are the resources that are generally available for most time periods. Under each title is a blurb telling you if the resource is available for this time period. For more general information on each resource, how to use it, where to find it, click on the title.
Birth Records
Ontario has a Privacy Act that restricts the viewing of certain records until a specific period of time has passed. In the case of birth records, they are not released for public viewing until 97 years after the birth has occurred. It then takes 1-2 years for the records to be prepared for viewing. Therefore you shall have to seek alternate records of birth, or wait until 97-99 years have elapsed.
Birth records for this time period will be available for public research in the following years (97 years plus 1 year for preparation):
1910 - 20081911 - 20091912 - 20101913 - 20111914 - 20121915 - 20131916 - 20141917 - 20151918 - 20161919 - 2017
Books
Books are an often overlooked resource especially now that the internet appears to have all the information you need at your fingertips. Local histories, period histories, and even transcripts are available, not just locally, but worldwide. Is your ancestor hiding in a book?
Cemetery Records
If the person you are seeking was buried (as opposed to cremated) you should be able to locate a cemetery record.
Census Records
Starting in 1851 a census was taken every ten years. The 1911 census is available on microfilm and online through Library & Archives Canada.
Church Records
Depending on the religion and privacy restrictions of the church records you're seeking you may, or may not, be successful with your search.
Citizenship/Naturalization Records
If your ancestor was a British subject (born in Canada, England, or one of England's colonies) you will not find a Citizenship or Naturalization Record because they were already considered a citizen. If your ancestor was born elsewhere they were eligible to apply for Citizenship or Naturalization after living in Canada for three years and declaring loyalty to the British Crown. However, this information may be protected under the Privacy Act and not available for research.
Court Records
Coroner RecordsCorrectional RecordsDivorce RecordsGuardianship RecordsOPP InvestigationsSurrogate CourtWills & Estate Files
Death Records
If you are seeking an ancestor who died during this decade you may be in luck! In 1869 the Vital Statistics Act was introduced requiring all deaths to be registered.
Funeral Records
Funeral Records may be available but could be subject to privacy laws, it's dependent upon the Funeral Home's regulations
Emigration Records
Some records were kept of border crossings from Canada to the USA
Immigration Records
Border CrossingsQuarantine RecordsShip Lists
Land Records
Land PatentsOntario Land Registry Office
Marriage Records
If you are seeking an ancestor who married during this decade you may be in luck! In 1869 the Vital Statistics Act was introduced requiring all marriages to be registered.
Military Records
Some records are available up to 1914. After 1914 the records are not available until 20 years after the death of the person in question and can only be requested by next-of-kin.
Misc Records
DirectoriesNewspapersBiographiesFraternal OrganizationsEmployment RecordsAlumni Records
Do you know of another resource that could be used to research this time period?
