|
|
|
|
           |
|
Provincial Land RecordsMany references to land records can be found in provincial archives and government offices. For each province, we present the main series of documents and online databases currently available.
Alberta [back to menu]Research at Library and Archives CanadaLibrary and Archives Canada holds the Letters Patent issued by the Lands Patent Branch of the Department of the Interior. The records refer to grants issued in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the railway belt of British Columbia, 1870-1930. Those records can be searched in the following database.
The land system in the western provinces was arranged by sections, townships and ranges. Detailed information is provided on the online help of the above database. Research in Provincial SourcesHomestead records are deposited with the Provincial Archives of Alberta. The Alberta Genealogical Society has created a name index to a collection of land files held on microfilm ant the Provincial Archives of Alberta. Many of these files relate to homestead lands granted in Alberta between 1870 and 1930.
Subsequent transactions are in the custody of the Land Registration Districts [www3.gov.ab.ca/gs/services/lrs/] in Edmonton or Calgary. Sales of agricultural land by the Canadian Pacific Railway to settlers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, 1881-1906, can be searched in the Glenbow Archives CPR Database [www.glenbow.org/lasearch/cpr.htm]. British Columbia [back to menu]Research at Library and Archives CanadaLibrary and Archives Canada holds the Letters Patent issued by the Lands Patent Branch of the Department of the Interior. The records refer to grants issued in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the railway belt of British Columbia, 1870-1930. Those records can be searched in the following database.
The land system in the western provinces was arranged by sections, townships and ranges. Detailed information is provided on the online help of the above database. Research in Provincial SourcesThe British Columbia Archives holds applications for:
The Land Title Branch [http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/landtitle/] holds the Crown grants and some related records. Manitoba [back to menu]Research at Library and Archives CanadaLibrary and Archives Canada holds the Letters Patent issued by the Lands Patent Branch of the Department of the Interior. The records refer to grants issued in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the railway belt of British Columbia, 1870-1930. Those records can be searched in the following database.
The land system in the western provinces was arranged by sections, townships and ranges. Detailed information is provided on the online help of the above database. Research in Provincial SourcesHomestead registers, files, plans and fiats are in the custody of the Archives of Manitoba. A computer-generated list of all homesteaders, by name and land description, is available on microfiche. Subsequent transfers of title are recorded in the district Land Titles offices [www.gov.mb.ca/tpr/contacts.html]. Sales of agricultural land by the Canadian Pacific Railway to settlers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, 1881-1906, can be searched in the Glenbow Archives CPR Database [www.glenbow.org/lasearch/cpr.htm]. New Brunswick [back to menu]Research in Provincial SourcesIndexes to land petitions, 1785-1918, and to land grants, 1784-1997, are available on the Web site of the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. The current series of land petitions covers the period 1832-1966. A card index for the years 1832-1866 is available at the Provincial Archives. A microfilm index for the years 1867-1966 is available through inter-institutional loan. Check under County Guides [http://archives.gnb.ca/Archives/EN/CountyGuides-e.aspx] for information on land records in the individual counties. Records of subsequent transactions are in the custody of the county Registry and Mapping offices [www.snb.ca/e/2000/2000e.asp]. Newfoundland and Labrador [back to menu]Research in Provincial SourcesThe Registry of Crown Titles and Records [www.gov.nf.ca/gsl/l/cla/] holds land documents together with background information, applications and legal surveys dating back to the 1830s. The Registry of Deeds [www.gov.nl.ca/gs/cca/cr/deed-about.stm] has records relating to real estate in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador dating back to the early 1800s. Northwest Territories [back to menu]Research in Territorial SourcesMunicipal and Community Affairs' (MACA) Lands Administration Division [www.maca.gov.nt.ca/lands/land.html] is responsible for the administration of all Commissioner's lands of the Northwest Territories. Nova Scotia [back to menu]Research in Provincial SourcesLand grants are in the custody of the: Registrar of Crown Lands [www.gov.ns.ca/natr/land/surveysclrc.htm] The Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management holds microfilm copies of land grants and petitions, all of which are indexed. A database [www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/genealogy] covering the years 1769 to 1843 is available online. Search BosaNova for details about land records for other counties. Records of subsequent transactions are held by the Registry of Deeds in each county. [www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/property/rod/] Nunavut [back to menu]Research in Territorial SourcesNunavut became an official territory of Canada on April 1, 1999. Before that, it was part of the Northwest Territories. Ontario [back to menu]Although there were a few French settlements in the Detroit-Windsor area in particular, there was not intensive white settlement in Ontario until the arrival of the Loyalists. Ontario was originally part of the province of Quebec. When it became a separate province in 1791, it was known as Upper Canada, then Canada West from 1841 and at Confederation (1867) it took the name of Ontario. The province is divided into counties, or districts in less populated areas, which are divided into townships. Research at Library and Archives CanadaUpper Canada Land Petitions (RG 1 L3) Upper Canada Land Board, 1765-1804 (RG 1 L4) The records include:
The complete series has been microfilmed. The nominal card index identifies name, volume, page and microfilm reel numbers. The index is available on microfilm reels as follows: H-1759 ABBOT to HEBERT Heir and Devisee Commission - Upper Canada, 1797-1804 (RG 1 L5)The Heir and Devisee Commission was established in 1797 to clarify the titles to lands. Records can include:
Library and Archives Canada holds most of the records of the first Heir and Devisee Commission (1797-1804) and some of the records of the second Commission (1805-1911). These records have been microfilmed, but there is no index by name. The records are arranged by district, then by type of document. Research in Provincial SourcesThe Archives of Ontario holds numerous collections relating to land records such as land grants (patents), orders-in-council, township papers and petitions. Microfiche copies of the Ontario Land Records Index are available at most public libraries in Ontario. Records of land transactions subsequent to the original grant or purchase are in the custody of the county/district Land Registry Offices [www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/4UJMZ3.htm"]. Heir and Devisee Commission, 1805-1911 Canada Company An index to the remittance books has been published.
Prince Edward Island [back to menu]Research in Provincial SourcesThe Public Archives and Records Office has a large collection of land-related documents prior to 1900. After that date, records are housed at the: Land Registry Office [www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/onelisting.php3?number=17256] Quebec [back to menu]In the province of Quebec, land distribution was originally based on the seigneurial system, established in 1627 and used until 1854. Seigneuries were granted by the King to members of the "bourgeoisie," members of important families or former military officers. As proprietor of a seigneurie, the "seigneur" had privileges and obligations towards the King or his representative. The "seigneur" granted parcels of land (concessions) on his seigneury to tenants called "censitaires." The granting of land by the "seigneur" produced a notarial act. This contract gives:
Consult our section on Notarial Records to find out how to locate such a contract. Consult our Bibliography for further information on this topic. A Map [www4.bnquebec.ca/cargeo/htm/a24.htm] drawn up in 1709 by Gédéon de Catalogne gives the location of the seigneuries and the names of the "censitaires." Starting in 1763, new lands were granted according to the township system. Quebec was divided into counties that were divided into townships or "municipalités de paroisses." Research at Library and Archives CanadaLower Canada Land Petitions (RG 1 L3L) Research in Provincial SourcesA list of Crown grants, 1763-1890, arranged by townships within counties, and indexed by grantees, was published in 1891.
Microfilm copies of the records listed in this book are available at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Requests for copies should be addressed to: Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec In 1841, the government created registration offices, which today are called the Bureau de la publicité des droits [www.mrn.gouv.qc.ca/foncier/registre/index.jsp]. Records of land transactions subsequent to the original grant or purchase are in the custody of the Bureau de la publicité des droits for each county or district. Saskatchewan [back to menu]Research at Library and Archives CanadaLibrary and Archives Canada holds the Letters Patent issued by the Lands Patent Branch of the Department of the Interior. The records refer to grants issued in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the railway belt of British Columbia, 1870-1930. Those records can be searched in the following database.
The land system in the western provinces was arranged by sections, townships and ranges. Detailed information is provided on the online help of the above database. Research in Provincial SourcesThe Saskatchewan Archives Board holds homestead records. A database [www.saskhomesteads.com/] is available online. Copies of the patents for grants, and records of subsequent transactions, are located in the eight district Land Titles offices. Sales of agricultural land by the Canadian Pacific Railway to settlers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, 1881-1906, can be searched in the Glenbow Archives CPR Database [www.glenbow.org/lasearch/cpr.htm]. Yukon [back to menu]Research in Territorial SourcesAll original land titles and documents for properties are registered and stored at the Yukon Land Titles Office [www.justice.gov.yk.ca/prog/ls/lto/].  |