Clergy

Research at Library and Archives Canada

A few references to individual clergy can be found in the General Inventory database. Search by a person's name. Library and Archives Canada also holds the following fonds:

• United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (MG 17 B1); and
• Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (MG 17 B8).

These collections contain records of the Church of England's missionary societies operating in Canada between 1699 and 1951. Consult the General Inventory database.

Title: "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel"

Research in Other Institutions

Most records relating to clergy are held by Church and Religious Archives.

Research in Published Sources

Many Local Histories provide information and biographical notes on local clergy and, people born in a specific locality who choose to join a religious order. Many books provide biographical notes according to the religious denomination.

The following books include entries for each minister or priest, with the dates and places of the missions, circuits or parishes to which they were appointed.

Dictionnaire biographique du clergé canadien-français, by J.-B.-A. Allaire, 1908-1934.

Répertoire général du clergé canadien : par ordre chronologique, depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours, by Cyprien Tanguay, 1868.

The Classified digest of the records of the Society for the Propagation of the Bible in Foreign Parts, 1701-1892. Includes brief entries on missionaries serving with that organization.

Cyclopaedia of Methodism in Canada (up to 1880), by George H.Cornish, ca. 2001.

Douglas Walkington has published similar directories for several religious denominations. Search AMICUS by entering "Walkington Douglas" in the Name Browse field. You will find results such as:

• The Methodist Episcopal Church, 1835-1884
• The Primitive Methodist Church, 1835-1883
• The Bible Christian Church, 1831-1883
• Methodist Ministers in Canada, 1903-1925
• The Congregational Churches in Canada
• The Presbyterian Church in Canada, 1875-1925
• The United Church of Canada, 1925-1980
• United Church ministers, 1925-1980

The Church of England has published the annual Crockford's Clerical Directory since 1858. Those volumes include biographical information about Anglican ministers serving worldwide. Library and Archives Canada holds microfilm and paper copies for most years.

Related Topics

Parish Registers