Journey Home Genealogy

Irish Genealogical Research | Dwight Radford

Call Today! 801.699.2450

Or send us an Email

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Ireland
  • United States
    • American Genealogy (general)
    • Native American
    • African American
  • Canada
  • International Genealogy
    • England and Wales
    • Scotland
    • Other Research
  • Research Services
  • Research Proposal

Ontario Genealogical Society

20 May By Dwight Leave a Comment

One of my favorite genealogy societies is the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) in Toronto: www.ogs.on.ca  They have branches throughout the province. Whenever I have an Ontario case for a client, the OGS website is among one of the first Internet sources I check.

On the OGS website are databases such as the “Ontario Cemetery Ancestor Index.”  If you find a grave you are interested in, then you can write the society for a full transcript of the entry. Remember many libraries have purchased the published versions of the OGS transcripts. The website also has an “OGS Projects” link which details indexing programs and their status.

If I need a local agent to look at records at a courthouse or church, I go to the “Branches” section of the OGS website to contact the correct society. Then I can work out the details I need with the branch society. The advantage of contacting a branch of the OGS for onsite research is they are staffed by local family historians familiar with the records you may need.

This is an organization you need to always consult in your Ontario research. They are a reputable organization with programs in place to preserve records and accomplish their goals. For this reason, always check back on their website to see what’s new.

Filed Under: Irish Ancestry Tagged With: Canada, Databases, Immigration and Emigration, Libraries and Archives, Ontario, Societies

Ontario Township Papers

30 Apr By Dwight Leave a Comment

The Ontario Township Papers are miscellaneous land related papers filed by township, concession and lot. You never know what you’re going to find until you look. Sometimes there’s nothing interesting in the file, and at other times, you will find a petition from a settler requesting the Crown to bring over their relatives from such and such place in Ireland.

I have often found land matters listing people whom I didn’t know existed because they were gone by the censuses. This and the prospect of finding a potential place of origin in Ireland always keep me coming back.

These are on microfilm at the Family History Library where they can be found in the catalog under “Township Papers, ca. 1783-1870s.”  The microfilm collection and the Archives of Ontario has accompanying articles directing you through this record collection: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/ARCH_DESC_FACT/FACTSDESC/REFD+RG+1-58?SESSIONSEARCH

The key into this collection is to get the township, concession and lot for the property your ancestor was living on or granted. When you have identified this through the grant indexes (such as the Ontario Land Records Index) or a land deed, then make sure you have a map of the township, and search the surrounding lots and concessions bordering the property. I never do a rural Ontario case without looking at the Township Papers.

Filed Under: Irish Ancestry Tagged With: Canada, Land Records, Ontario

Dwight A. Radford

Dwight A. Radford is a professional family history researcher. Along with his staff they specialize in Ireland, England, Canada, African American, Native American, and United States. Connecting families together through historical documents and then creating a cherished family heirloom published book for generations to enjoy. Full bio…

Follow Our Blog

Blog

  • How do You Determine the Associates of Your Ancestor?
  • When to Jump Over the Water in Your Research
  • Grand Lodge of Ireland Membership Records Online

Online Course

  • My Courses
  • Courses
  • My Account

Contact

  • About
  • Contact
  • Research Services

Journey Home Geneology © 2023 · Designed by GO Marketing