Digital Genealogical Resources From Home
Provides access to family history via documents that record the lineage of over 5 billion individuals. Includes census records, civil registries & documentation from Canada, the USA, Great-Britain as well as many other world countries.
Access: Log into Ancestry through your account on the Library’s catalogue. You will need your card number as well as your password. Please contact the Library at biblioinfo@bpcrpl.ca if you have any questions or issues signing in.
Genealogical Internet Sources
- FamilySearch.org
This is the LDS website, the best source of genealogical information on the Internet. It also has all the listings of books in the LDS library in Utah. Most of these sources can be ordered on microfilm through your local LDS Family Centre. The Canadian 1881 Census is listed on this site
- Rootsweb
Rootsweb is one of the oldest sources of genealogical information on the Internet and has all kinds of surname lists and locality lists where people make queries and get answers to their questions from other researchers.
- Archives and National Library of Canada
The website for the Archives and National Library of Canada. Canadian Census material, military information, post office information, photographs – a wealth of tools for the researcher.
- Archives of Ontario
The website for the Archives of Ontario. This website contains microfilm numbers for Ontario Vital Statistics. Many of the microfilm listings here can be borrowed through your local LDS centre or through your public library.
- McGill Digital Library
An excellent source of county atlases from the 19th century. You can often locate an ancestor here by lot and concession if you know what township and county they were located in.
- University of Calgary Libraries and Cultural Resources
Find some valuable information and historical resources. There is a chat box where you can ask questions to a University Librarian.
- Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid
The Ontario Cemetery Finding aid with millions of Ontario burials. Not all Ontario burials are listed here though so be aware.
- Ontario GenWeb
- The CanadaGenWeb Project was established in 1996 as a free central repository for Canadian genealogy. Over the past two decades, hundreds of volunteers have contributed their time and expertise to build this 100% volunteer project.
- Early Canadiana
A website with some early Canadian literature that is searchable by keyword. Much of the information is free although some are fee-based. The Library now has a full subscription to this wonderful historic site with all kinds of early Canadian documents including 19th-century journals, magazines and government documents. Full access is only available at your library branch.
- Automated Genealogy
Transcriptions of 1851, 1901, 1911 and 1916 Census of Canada.
- Cyndi’s List
Cyndi’s list is one of the biggest sources of genealogical information (general and specific) on the Internet. She updates it often. This is the Ontario page but there are pages for other Canadian provinces and places. A good starting point for Ontario and Canadian genealogy. -
Ontario Online Genealogy Records – Guide to Ontario Online Genealogy Records for researching ancestry, family history and genealogy: birth, marriage, death, census, church, military, immigration, and naturalization records.
- Ontario Genealogical Society
The Objective of the Society is to encourage the study of genealogy and original genealogical research in the Province of Ontario.
- Bytown or Bust
Bytown or Bust – a good source of information on Ottawa area settlers.
- Rideau Lakes Info
Ken Watson’s site has information on genealogy and local history with lots of good local links.
- Olive Tree Genealogy
Lots of free databases, ship passenger lists and other information on Canadian genealogy. Check this one out!
- Genuki.org.uk
This website is a good starting point for genealogical research of Scotland, England and Ireland.
- Paper of Record
Another extremely useful site. However, many Canadian newspapers are searchable here by keyword. Alberta has many of its newspapers free on the Internet but they are not searchable by keyword.
More…
Check our digitized regional photo collection at Digital Prescott-Russell. It Contains 19th and early 20th century photos depicting the lives and traditions of the French-speaking population of Prescott-Russell
Disclaimer: The Library cannot be held liable or responsible for the content of these links or where they are hosted.