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 Enslaved Africans in Upper Canada, an exhibit produced by the Archives of Ontario and the Ministry of Culture and Immigration, was recently featured at the Ontario government's official launch for Black History Month 2008 held at the Royal Ontario Museum. [MORE]
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 In recognition of Black History Month the Archives of Ontario has added a number of new lesson plans dealing with Black history in our Just Add Students: section. [MORE] |
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 Letter of Tom Elice (Ellis) to Mary Warner
The Archives of Ontario has digitized a fascinating textual record in recognition of Black History Month. In 1854, Tom Ellis, formerly enslaved in Kentucky and having escaped to Canada West, wrote a poignant letter detailing his appreciation for his new life. Although the exact circumstances of Mr. Ellis’s route to freedom are unknown, it is likely that he came to Canada via the Underground Railroad. This document is an important and rare addition to the rich collection of materials at the Archives documenting Black History in the province. [MORE]
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The Archives of Ontario is pleased to offer note cards depicting images from our collections. You can now add the unique imprint of Ontario’s heritage to your correspondence. Follow the link below to choose from ten designs available for purchase. [MORE]
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 The records from Moriyama & Teshima Architects have been fully arranged and described, and are now accessible through the Archives Descriptive Database.
Moriyama and Teshima began in 1958 as Raymond Moriyama Architect and gained provincial recognition in 1964 when Moriyama won the opportunity to design and build the Ontario Science Centre, a centennial project by and for the province of Ontario. After Ted Teshima became a partner in 1970 they went on to attract worldwide attention by the innovative design elements in their work on such projects as the Toronto Reference Library, the Bata Shoe Museum, and the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. The company donated their records to the Archives of Ontario in 2001 and 2004, and they comprise one of the Archives’ largest and richest architectural collections. [MORE]
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In December of 2001 we created the online exhibit, The Archives of Ontario Remembers an Eaton's Christmas. It included a page where we invited people to send in their stories of how Eaton's formed a part of their Christmas memories. The response was overwhelming, and we shared those memories with visitors to the site. In the six years since the exhibit was created, the stories have continued to come in, and we would like to share those on a page called Your Eaton's Christmas Memories, Part 2. We hope they touch you as they have us. [MORE]
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 Slavery existed on a global scale for centuries and had devastating implications for the individuals subjected to it. Many people do not know that slavery existed in Canada. Produced in partnership with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, the Archives of Ontario's newest exhibit, Enslaved Africans in Upper Canada, touches on the lives of enslaved Africans, and focuses on the actions they took to resist their servitude. It reveals that Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe’s 1793 Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada was precipitated by the resistance of a slave woman named Chloe Cooley and led to the end of slavery throughout the British Empire. [MORE] |
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 For the seventh straight year, the Archives is presenting an Eaton's Santa Claus Parade Colouring Book to celebrate the holiday season. This one dates from 1955, over half a century ago. We invite you to print it out and colour it at home. [MORE] |
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 The Archives of Ontario is pleased to announce the launch of a new Code of Practice that reflects the unique character of our organization, and articulates our commitment to quality service. Guided by Ontario Public Service value statements and our own Mission, Vision and Customer Service Charter, the Code of Practice ensures that we will continue to deliver on our commitment to help customers access the collections and services of the Archives, and provides the foundation for how our customers will be treated. [MORE] |
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  To acknowledge Remembrance Day this year, the Archives is focussing on new and updated educational resources. The Story of an Ontario Veteran is a new lesson plan that aims at dramatizing the diaries of First World War veteran John Mould. Writing a Letter to a World War I Soldier is an updated lesson plan that assists students in developing a sense of empathy with a soldier by writing a letter to him. To see other examples of World War One letters visit the exhibit The Archives of Ontario Remembers Our Canadian War Heroes. |
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 History Alive From the Archives of Ontario. Research with primary documents is no longer just for university students. The Archives of Ontario brings school lessons to life with dozens of fascinating online, exhibits – suitable for students of all ages across the province. For ready-made lesson plans in a variety of subject areas, visit Just Add Students: Instant lesson plans from the Archives of Ontario. [MORE]
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 Throughout the 20th century Government of Ontario photographers recorded the development of the province. Their images provide fascinating and unique perspectives on our history. Assignment to Archives: Recognizing the Work of Ontario Government Photographers provides a unique insight into their work and offers ample proof of each photographer’s skill and vision. Photographic approaches are intentionally varied, and represent a wide range of ministries and geographic areas. [MORE]
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 Researching Community and Municipal Records at the Archives of Ontario
The Archives of Ontario holds a variety of resources related to municipalities and Ontario communities. These records provide a wealth of information for genealogical researchers. On October 20, 2007 the Archives will be holding a 3 hour course devoted to using these records for Genealogical research [MORE]
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Changes to Archives of Ontario Reproduction Services
In our continuing efforts to provide the most efficient and cost effective customer service, the Archives of Ontario is changing our reproduction services. Beginning November 1st, 2007, the 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM photocopying service in the Main Reading Room will no longer be available. [MORE]
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  In 2009 the Archives of Ontario will be moving to a long-awaited new and modern building on the York University campus at 4700 Keele Street in Toronto. This is the first time in over 100 years that the Archives will be housed in a purpose-built facility that will both meet international archival standards and make it easier to showcase some of the Archives’ most valuable collections. [MORE]
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 The Children of Peace were key to the development of Canadian democracy and social justice. They created Canada’s first cooperative and credit union, and were critical actors in the democratic reform movement led by William Lyon Mackenzie, Robert Baldwin and Louis LaFontaine. The dramatic and ornate Sharon Temple, built by the Children of Peace, celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2007. To mark this occasion, the Archives of Ontario, in partnership with the Sharon Temple National Historical Site and Museum, is pleased to announce a new online exhibit: 175 Years of Hope: A Celebration of the Sharon Temple and the Children of Peace.
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 Diaries provide an immediacy and intimacy provided by very few types of records. A Lifetime – Day by Day, Five Women and Their Diaries provides important insights into the every day lives of early Ontario pioneers. When we read about these women’s day to day experiences, the roles they played and the tasks they performed, we have a window into the society in which they lived. [MORE] |
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 The Rideau Canal is celebrating its 175th year in 2007 and, to recognize the event, the Archives of Ontario presents Eyewitness: Thomas Burrowes on the Rideau Canal. Thomas Burrowes worked on the Rideau Canal during its construction and documented his experiences in a series of watercolour paintings. The Archives has 115 of his paintings in its collection and many of them are presented here. [MORE]
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 Hands On History: Call for Submissions
The Archives of Ontario, the premier source of Ontario’s documentary heritage, has joined forces with the Gardiner Museum, Canada’s pre-eminent ceramic museum, for an innovative and exciting project. Influenced and inspired by the holdings of the Archives of Ontario and archival collections across the province, this project will result in the creation of significant ceramic art that will promote and showcase Ontario’s ceramic artists and portray the culture and heritage of the province. [MORE] |
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 In recognition of the 45th Anniversary of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Archives of Ontario presents The Freedom Seeker: The Life and Times of Daniel G. Hill. This exhibit celebrates the life of Dan Hill, the first Director of the Commission and a prominent writer, human rights advocate and community activist with a sustained interest in the history of Blacks in Canada. [MORE]
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 When television station CFPL in London first went on the air in 1953, it was just the second private broadcaster in Canada. Television was in its infancy and people were just beginning to learn about current events from on-air news reporting. In June of 2002, CFPL generously donated, to the Archives of Ontario, the entire news output for their first 15 years of operation. Mirror, Mirror …. Looking Back Through the Eye of the CFPL News Camera is an exhibit that celebrates that donation by presenting a selection of over 175 news stories from the station's first years of operation. [MORE]
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 Archives Enhance Digital Services!
As part of ongoing efforts to better serve our clients, the Archives of Ontario is expanding our digital imaging environment. Now, in addition to photographs, original documents such as architectural drawings, blueprints, documentary art, maps and many others will be duplicated digitally, improving quality. Customers will be able to receive delivery of image copies in their choice of two formats: CD/DVD or high quality digital prints. In addition, customers may choose to receive their images via FTP (File Transfer Protocol), which is a process that is used to transfer data from one computer to another via the Internet. The Archives is also pleased to announce a new simplified pricing schedule for our digital images. [MORE]
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New Year of Vital Statistics Available
Indexes and registrations for 1910 births, 1925 marriages, and 1935 deaths are now available on microfilm. These records are available for consultation in our Main Reading Room at 77 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario. They may also be borrowed through our Microfilm Interloan Service, consulted at a Family History Centre, or purchased from the Ontario Genealogical Society.
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 David Thompson, Map Maker, Explorer and Visionary. David Thompson (1770-1857) fur trader, astronomer and surveyor, mapped more of North America than anyone else. His journals, letters, maps and autobiography provide detailed insights into the fur trade, the Native People he encountered, the lands he explored, and milestones in his life. The year 2007 marks the 150th anniversary of Thompson’s death and the 200th anniversary of his first crossing of the Rocky Mountains – a fitting occasion to commemorate North America’s “Greatest Geographer.” [MORE]
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 The Archives of Ontario is delighted to have acquired another miniature on ivory painted by Anne Langton. The item is a finely detailed watercolour portrait of a young woman, Miss Harriet Lowe (1836), a close friend of Anne Langton’s. The ivory has been added to the Langton family fonds (F 1077). Please visit our updated web exhibit, “Anne Langton – Gentlewoman, Pioneer Settler and Artist” to see this new acquisition, and learn more about the life and work of Anne Langton. [MORE]
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 Getting Students to consider Preserving Our Collective Memory - Past, Present and Future. The Archivist of Ontario recently spoke at a student history conference in Belleville.[MORE]
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Osgoode Hall Turns 175 - Documenting a Landmark.
Osgoode Hall, a National Historic Site of Canada, is celebrating its 175th birthday in 2007. To recognize this important milestone, the Archives of Ontario is pleased to introduce this anniversary exhibition, a joint project of the Archives of Ontario and the Law Society of Upper Canada. Osgoode Hall is both venerable and architecturally significant and one of the best-preserved, and best-documented historical structures in Ontario. [MORE]
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 The Archives of Ontario is pleased to introduce The Black Canadian Experience in Ontario 1834-1914: Flight, Freedom, Foundation, a joint project of the Archives of Ontario and the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS). This exhibit explores the migration of people of African origin into Canada, particularly via the Underground Railroad, and celebrates a community which has played a significant role in Ontario's history. [MORE]
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 For the sixth straight year, the Archives is presenting another Eaton's Santa Claus Parade Colouring Book to celebrate the holiday season. This one dates from 1953, over half a century ago. We invite you to print it out and colour it at home. [MORE]
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 New Educational Resources at the Archives of Ontario
The Archives of Ontario is pleased to launch a new educational resources section on the web developed in collaboration with students and professors at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (OISE/UT). Intended to encourage the use of primary documents, the site features classroom ready, curriculum-based lesson plans and activities which incorporate records from the Archives of Ontario’s collections. The site is intended to be collaborative in nature and will continue to grow as more students from (OISE/UT) and teachers throughout Ontario contribute lessons. [MORE]
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  Educational Resources at the Archives of Ontario
To acknowledge Remembrance Day this year, the Archives is announcing a new project. We have joined forces with professors and students from OISE/UT to create innovative learning tools that utilize records from the Archives’ vast collection.  Three of the first group of lesson plans focus specifically on the war experience from a variety of perspectives. [MORE] |
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 New in the Archives Descriptive Database. The ADD is the online catalogue for the archival collection and new descriptions of archival material are added to it on a regular basis. Recent additions include architectural records, photographs and private research papers. [MORE] |
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 The Archives of Ontario is pleased to announce the acquisition of two new miniatures on ivory by Anne Langton. The miniatures depict Anne’s parents, Ellen Langton (1825) and Thomas Langton (1827), and have been added to the Langton Family fonds (F 1077). Please see our updated web exhibit, “Anne Langton – Gentlewoman, Pioneer Settler and Artist” to view the new miniatures.
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| New Year of Vital Statistics Available. Indexes and registrations for 1909 births, 1924 marriages, and 1934 deaths are now available on microfilm. These records are available for consultation in our Main Reading Room at 77 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario. They may also be borrowed through our Microfilm Interloan Service, consulted at a Family History Centre, or purchased from the Ontario Genealogical Society. |
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 Ontario is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. Visitors come to enjoy the natural beauty of the province’s parks and countryside, and to partake of the vibrant life of its cities. Yours to Discover - Tourism in Ontario through Time is an exhibit that explores tourism in Ontario from the early settlers in Upper Canada to the travellers of the current day, using documents and images from the Archives’ collection. [MORE]
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New online payment method for reproduction services
The Archives of Ontario is very pleased to introduce online payment for reproduction orders. Researchers can now pay using a credit card for their completed orders through a secure website at http://payonline.archives.gov.on.ca [MORE]
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 Moving Forward to Preserve the Past - The Archives' New Approach to Records Preservation
Transforming and improving both the preservation of, and public access to, Ontario's rich archival resources is central to the Archives' Strategic Plan. In 2000 we embarked on a two-phase accommodation strategy to address this challenge. In March 2006, the Archives completed phase one of this initiative with the transfer of over 300,000 containers of irreplaceable records to a new offsite archival storage facility, owned and operated by Archives ONE Limited Partnership, under a unique long-term public private partnership. [MORE] |
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New Registration And Circulation And Retrieval Systems
The Archives of Ontario is pleased to announce that it has implemented a new electronic Researcher Registration System. All new and existing researchers using the reading rooms at the Archives of Ontario will be issued with new bar coded registration cards. [MORE] |
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 Search
the Government of Ontario Art Collection Online. The
Archives of Ontario is pleased to present a new online database that
provides access to the Government of Ontario Art Collection. Explore
this diverse collection of historical and contemporary paintings and
works on paper, indoor and outdoor sculpture, portraits, and antique
furnishings and decorative objects. Over 700 images from the collection
are searchable in the database and new images will be added over time.
[Search
the Database]
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 Archives Unboxed
and Revealed: A Guide to Understanding Archives
Over the course of a lifetime, most people accumulate a variety
of records. These records comprise an individual’s personal
archives. Governments, businesses, schools, associations and organizations
of all types do the same, keeping records as evidence of their activities
and accomplishments. Archives
Unboxed and Revealed: A Guide to Understanding Archives
is a web exhibit designed to assist researchers in learning more
about archives: what they are, where to find them, and how to use
them. [MORE]
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 The
Ontario Society of Artists and the Government of Ontario Art Collection
In July of 2005, eighteen members of the Ontario Society of Artists
(OSA) each donated a piece of their own work to the Government of
Ontario Art Collection. Diverse in style and subject matter, all
the works represent some aspect of Ontario as reflected through
the eyes of its talented artists. The significance of the current
donation lies not only in the welcome addition of new artworks to
the collection but also serves to re-establish historic ties between
the Government of Ontario Art Collection and the Society that date
back more than 130 years. [MORE]
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