Ontario canada history. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it is home to 38.

Ontario canada history. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR). that are entirely free to read online, or download to your home computer to use at your leisure. Being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin, as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Kingston is near the Thousand Islands, a tourist region to the east, and the Prince Edward County tourist region to the west. The population in 2021 was 33,411. It is Ontario's easternmost city. The City of London, the seat of Middlesex County, is centrally loc Welcome to the Perth & District Historical Society website. Origin of the name History Coat of arms Motto Flag Floral emblem Other provincial symbols Bird Colours Gemstone Tartan Tree Origin of the name The word “Ontario” comes from the Iroquois word “kanadario”, meaning “sparkling” water. Robert Mutrie has compiled more than 1,000 Ontario Pioneers Genealogies featuring some of the founding families who arrived in Southwestern Ontario during the late 1700’s and early 1800's. Traditional conflicts had existed between some First Oct 6, 2023 · Discover the rich history of Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada through captivating postcards and stories, unraveling your ancestry in this charming town. Kitchener, city, regional municipality of Waterloo, southeastern Ontario, Canada. With the help of the Huron Indians and his adventurous crew they managed their way through rivers and lakes, including the Otonabee and Rice Lake. The society provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of our history through monthly meetings and other events. 5% of the country's population, and is the second-largest province by total area (after Quebec). Within Ontario, about 250,000 lakes and countless rivers and streams contain about one-third of Earth’s Ontario is a province in Canada, known for its vast landscapes, major cities, and economic significance. Ontario boasts Canada’s most multicultural population, as home to over half of all newcomers to the country. In 1615, Samuel de Champlain sailed out of La Rochelle in the province of Saintonge, in France. The Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River form its southern boundary. The lands that make up present-day Ontario, the most populous province of Canada as of the early 21st century have been inhabited for millennia by groups of Aboriginal people, with French and British exploration and colonization commencing in the 17th century. Explore the history of Canada with the many artifacts, collections, resources, and events found at the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa. In the eastern extreme of the province, Ottawa is situated on the Ottawa River across from Gatineau, Quebec, at the confluence of the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Rideau rivers. Travel back in time with us! Ontario lies between the provinces of Quebec to the east and Manitoba to the west. The history of Ontario covers the time from when the first people arrived thousands of years ago until today. Lawrence River in the east, to the Manitoba border in the west. It lies at the extreme western end of Lake Ontario, on the southern shore of landlocked Hamilton Harbour. Oct 24, 2025 · Saint Catharines, city, regional municipality of Niagara, southeastern Ontario, Canada, on the south shore of Lake Ontario, at the entrance to the Welland Ship Canal. Illustrated list of events and people from our today in history archives. It places in order who arrived when by way of such official documents as the land petitions, early surveys, militia muster rolls, deeds registers, court records Ottawa[a] is the capital city of Canada. The Perth & District Historical Society recognizes that Land, settlement and family history records for individuals in pre-1850 Upper Canada. It is located in the southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Cornwall is named after the English Duchy of Cornwall; the city's coat of arms is Phile Egan has put everything behind researching the fascinating history of The Sarnia Fire Department. S. Perth County Courthouse, Stratford, Ontario Stratford is a city on the Avon River within Perth County in southwestern Ontario, Canada, with a 2021 [3] population of 33,232 in a land area of 30. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it is home to 38. Essex County Pioneer Family HistoryEssex County Pioneer History Search the Ontario (Upper Canada) Genealogy Website - Make sure to use all known variations of a family name in your search! Among other landmarks, Ontario houses Canada’s parliament, its largest city, the national stock exchange, the country’s biggest university, the headquarters of virtually every major Canadian newspaper, television station, corporation, and bank, and — just to top it off — Canada’s tallest building and biggest waterfall, too. [1] For over 12,000 years, Indigenous People have lived in the Toronto area. This article also covers the pre-1867 history of the territory Ontario now occupies. The record of those decisions are in the council minutes, commonly known as the Upper Canada Land Books (RG1-L1). Although it is the seat of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Cornwall is administered independently from the county. [2] It was North Buxton is a dispersed rural community located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Ontario is Canada’s second largest province after Quebec. This selection is meant to draw attention to a number of events in Canadian history that left an indelible mark on the lives of the people of the time and an indisputable memory in the minds of later generations. More will be added and announced below and in "New Additions". Kingston was first settled in 1783, incorporated as a town in 1838 and as a city in 1846. We have been exploring the history of London and Middlesex County in Ontario, Canada since 1901. With over 130 First Nations bands across the province, including members of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi), Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy), Cree, and Métis, these communities offer a profound connection to the land and waterways of central The family history research sites and databases I maintain are an extremely valuable tool for those persons researching ancestors in Upper Canada/Ontario Province. We are currently the home of: Canadian Families, a gedcom site hosting family trees containing more than 30 separate family trees and more than 174,000 individuals Ontario Genealogy Historical Pioneer Ancestor Property and Settlement Map Collection Outstanding collection of Upper Canada and Province of Ontario county and township maps for researchers interested in locating their ancestors land grants and property locations. Windsor (/ ˈwɪndzər / WIND-zer) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada. [1][2][3][4][5] It was established in 1849 as a community for and by former African-American slaves who escaped to Canada to gain freedom. It is at the beginning of the St. " Sir Francis Palgrave The townships of Carleton County are March, Torbolton, Gloucester, Marlborough, Huntley Dec 29, 2024 · Discover the rich history of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada through captivating postcards and stories, unraveling your ancestry in this charming town. Feb 4, 2025 · Explore fascinating facts about Ontario, from its cultural significance to its historical and political importance in Canada. Please have a look around to learn some inspiring stories and intriguing facts about the area's history in days gone by. com Aug 9, 2007 · Ontario is a Canadian province bounded by Manitoba to the west, Hudson Bay to the north, Québec to the east, and New York, the Great Lakes, Michigan and Minnesota to the south. Before the See full list on britannica. The land that is now Ontario, Canada's most populated province, has been home to Indigenous groups for a very long time. Ontario History journal, formerly called Papers & Records, is one of the oldest history journals in Canada, having been published continuously since 1899. Named after the first wife of Robert Hamilton, member of the first legislative council of Upper Canada, it has grown from a small Chatham-Kent (2021 population: 103,988) [1] is a single-tier municipality in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Staffed by British Regulars, adult male students underwent a 3-month-long military course from 1865 at the School of Military Instruction in Hamilton. 5 days ago · Toronto - History, Capital, Canada: Prior to the arrival of Europeans, a number of First Nations peoples inhabited the site of the present city of Toronto and the surrounding regions. History Introduction Location of Mississauga in Greater Toronto Area Locale Malton is a thriving area of Mississauga in Ontario, Canada - Mississauga being a “suburb” of Toronto, part of the Region of Peel, and in the Greater Toronto Area. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River, the south end of the Rideau Canal. Biographical summaries of the pioneers may be found by clicking an alphabetical letter to the right. By 1823, due to its accessible waterpower and location at the Oct 23, 2025 · Kitchener Victoria Park, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Toronto was founded as the Town of York and capital of Upper Canada in 1793 after the Mississaugas sold the land to the British in the Toronto Purchase. The village, an enclave within Enniskillen Township, is the site of North America's first commercial oil well. Travel back in time with us! Oct 24, 2012 · London, Ont, incorporated as a city in 1855, population 366 151 (2011c), 352 395 (2006c). Welcome to The London & Middlesex Historical Society. Tilbury has a proud history. Located within Simcoe County, Barrie shares borders with the municipalities of Oro-Medonte, Springwater, Essa and Innisfil. Their seminomadic settlement patterns included using the Toronto Passage—a portage from the mouth of the Humber River to Georgian Bay—as a trade route. When History of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada Order your FREE Sunset Country Travel Guide and Fishing Map ORDER GUIDE Jun 29, 2023 · In 1791, the Constitutional Act divided the territory into two separate colonies: Upper Canada (modern-day Ontario) and Lower Canada (modern-day Quebec). Geographically located within but administratively independent of Essex County, it is the southernmost city in Canada and marks the southwestern end of the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. Ancaster is a community in the city of Hamilton in the Canadian province of Ontario. His notes reflected an abundance of wild life birds Sep 13, 2018 · timeline Ontario Ontario is Canada's most populous and second-largest province. Vintage photos and documents of Ontario people & locations: Lanark County, Carleton County, Manitoulin Island & Northern Ontario The history of Ontario covers the period from the arrival of Paleo-Indians thousands of years ago to the present day. Discover the rich history of Goderich, Ontario, Canada through captivating postcards and stories, unraveling your ancestry in this charming town. ------- ----------- EMAIL: marc Founded in 1888, The Ontario Historical Society is a non-profit corporation and registered charity; a non-government group bringing together people of all ages, all walks of life and all cultural backgrounds interested in preserving some aspect of Ontario’s history. This article also covers the history of the territory Ontario now occupies. The former capital of the Province of Canada (1841), Kingston’s position at the junction of Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the northeastern end of Lake Ontario. The ancestors of the Huron-Wendat were the first known groups to establish agricultural villages in the area about 1,600 years ago. Over 280 pages covering more than 180 years of fire fighting. It stretches from Canada's southernmost point at Middle Island in Lake Erie in the south, to the Manitoba-Ontario border on Hudson Bay in the north, and from the banks of the St. Oct 25, 2025 · Over the past fifty years, R. Oct 17, 2025 · Hamilton, city, southeastern Ontario, Canada. 5 days ago · Ontario - Culture, Arts, Heritage: Toronto has long dominated Ontario’s (and English-speaking Canada’s) cultural life and continues to do so. It is situated in the Grand River valley, 60 miles (95 km) west-southwest of Toronto. His mission was to discover and record a water passageway between Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario. Settlement began with the arrival of loyalists fleeing the rebellious 13 American colonies in 1778. Cornwall is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, situated where the provinces of Ontario and Quebec and the U. [3][11] Ontario is Canada's fourth-largest jurisdiction in total area of all the Canadian provinces and Sep 19, 2023 · Discover the rich history of Seaforth, Ontario, Canada through captivating postcards and stories, unraveling your ancestry in this charming town. Travel back in time with us! Upper Canada (Ontario) Pioneer Settler Land Locations, Census Records and Property Descriptions Historical Visits to Ontario Villages and Towns Take a trip back in time to the late 19th century and explore the towns and villages where your ancestors lived, loved, laboured, laughed and played. The current Municipality of Chatham-Kent was created in 1998 by the amalgamation of Blenheim, Bothwell, Camden, the City of Chatham, the Township of Chatham, Dover Oct 22, 2012 · Kingston, Ontario, incorporated as a city 1846, population 132,485 (2021 census), 123,798 (2016 census). Discover the rich history of Prescott, Ontario, Canada through captivating postcards and stories, unraveling your ancestry in this charming town. Although it is geographically located within Simcoe County, the city is a single-tier municipality. 59 sq mi). The journal’s archive contains a wealth of original documents and new research, written by a “who’s who” of Ontario historians, and comprises one of the most important sources for the Huron County Pioneer Family HistoryHuron County Pioneer History Search the Ontario (Upper Canada) Genealogy Website - Make sure to use all known variations of a family name in your search! Explore the history of Orangeville from the first settlement to today. A nomadic people, they hunted, trapped and fished while traveling throughout the area. Ontario’s premier history journal, it discusses a wide variety of topics relating to our province’s past. First settled in 1872 when the Canada Southern Railway was built, a post office and general store opened and the tiny settlement became known as Henderson. The city is the anchor of the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration of 9,765,188 people (as of 2021) surrounding the western end of Lake Ontario, [14] while the Greater Toronto Area proper Jan 5, 2019 · The following chronology detailing the arrivals of the earliest pioneers in the Long Point Settlement is a summary of the documemtary research to date and of many discussions with other local historians and family researchers. The city's timeline Significant Events in Canadian History The significance of an event cannot be measured scientifically. Available Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Prior to European arrivals, this area was inhabited by the Algonquin. A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other Townships of the County (Ontario, Canada). The OHS has a provincial mandate, but its headquarters is located at the historic John McKenzie House (built 1913) in Located in east-central Canada, Ontario has the biggest population in the country and is the second-largest province in total area. Records with an asterisk * are census and or assessment records for individuals in Lanark County in the year indicated. The "Tilbury Times" newspaper was founded in 1884 and in 1887 the community became the village of Tilbury Centre. Feb 17, 2023 · A look into Ontario history, its notable moments with a timeline, along with its eye-catching historic sites and connections to other provinces. It is located at the confluence of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. The Ottawa River was a key factor in the city’s settlement. The City of Hamilton is situated at the west end of Peterborough County History and Genealogy Newcastle District (Upper Canada) History and Genealogy Ontario County History and Genealogy Upper Canada History and Genealogy Echoes of the Past - Ontario Genealogy Home Search the Ontario (Upper Canada) Genealogy Website - Make sure to use all known variations of a family name in your search! Toronto was founded as the Town of York and capital of Upper Canada in 1793 after the Mississaugas sold the land to the British in the Toronto Purchase. Find out more about Ontario’s people, places, and history. Our community has grown and developed from a small town to a bustling urban centre. As is true in Canada generally, the popular Carleton County Historical Pioneer Ancestor Settlement Maps "The history of a county or of a township, if properly investigated, disinters the most important facts with regard to the general state and condition of society, giving facts instead of theories, figures instead of surmises. Upper Canada (now Ontario) was all that land lying west of the Ottawa River, while Lower Canada (now Quebec) was all the land lying east. Toronto[b] is the most populous city in Canada and the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. It is located approximately 175 km southwest of Ottawa, 290 km west of Montreal and 260 km east of Toronto. [4] Stratford is the seat of Perth County, which was settled by English, Irish, Scottish and German immigrants, in almost equal numbers, starting in the 1820s but 5 days ago · The Indigenous Nations and First Nations bands of Ontario represent a rich mosaic of cultural, linguistic, and historical diversity. [1] Founded in 1792, it immediately developed itself into one of the first significant and influential early British Upper Canada communities established during the late 18th century, eventually amalgamating with the city of Hamilton in 2001. Our mission is to encourage, bring together and assist those interested in the pursuit of family history and to preserve Ontario’s genealogical heritage. [13] As of 2021, Ottawa had a city population of 1,017,449 and a metropolitan Oct 24, 2025 · Ottawa, city, capital of Canada, located in southeastern Ontario. The province is well Mar 31, 2025 · Explore fun Ontario facts and statistics and uncover lesser-known truths about the province’s past, present, and future. 02 square kilometres (11. It is home to the Oil Museum of Canada. [2] In the 17th century, the Sep 4, 2012 · Ontario's vibrant multiculturalism and varied landscapes make this a great place to live and to visit. Oct 9, 2025 · North York, former city (1979–98), southeastern Ontario, Canada. For a complete list of the premiers of Ontario, see List of Ontario premiers. Barrie is located at the head of Kempenfelt Bay, on the western edge of Lake Simcoe. 3. The city is the anchor of the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration of 9,765,188 people (as of 2021) surrounding the western end of Lake Ontario, [14] while the Greater Toronto Area proper Ontario[a] is the southernmost province of Canada. With a population of 2,794,356 in 2021, [13] it is the fourth-most populous city in North America. S city of Detroit, Michigan. William King, a Scots-Irish/American Presbyterian minister and abolitionist, had organized the Elgin Association to buy 9,000 acres of land for resettlement of the Explore Brockville's rich history, from its architectural heritage to its cultural landmarks, showcasing the town's unique charm and historical significance. Orillia (/ əˈrɪliə /) [4] is a city in Ontario, Canada, about 30 km (18 mi) north-east of Barrie in Simcoe County. The site was visited by the French explorer La Salle in 1669. In 1998 it amalgamated with the cities of Toronto, Scarborough, York, and Etobicoke and the borough of East York to become the City of Toronto. Simcoe County Pioneer Family HistorySimcoe County Pioneer History Search the Ontario (Upper Canada) Genealogy Website - Make sure to use all known variations of a family name in your search! Ontario is a province of Canada that is in the eastern half of Canada, between Manitoba and Quebec. Ontario[a] is the southernmost province of Canada. Become more involved with LMHS! Follow the link below to our Membership Application. state of New York converge. Before the Ontario Upper Canada History and genealogyOntario (Upper Canada) History On-Line Resources The following links are a preliminary list of Ontario History books, directories etc. [9] Located in Central Canada, [10][b] Ontario is the country's most populous province. The land is now governed by 46 Feb 24, 2025 · Brief History[edit | edit source] Located in Central Canada, Ontario is Canada's most populous province, with 38. It is part of the Huronia region of Central Ontario. The waters of Hudson Bay and James Bay lap Ontario’s northern edge. In the 1880s Sudbury became the most important mining center in Canada, with a majority of its population employed in that industry. Ontario Family History is intended to assist the genealogical community by providing a permanent home for various Ontario based genealogy/family history related websites. Let's dig in. Rev. The history of Ontario covers the period from the arrival of Paleo-Indians thousands of years ago to the present day. Sep 21, 2025 · Sudbury, city, seat of Sudbury district, southeastern Ontario, Canada. 18th Century French settlement in Ontario Upper Canada The Town of York and City of Toronto in the 19th Century Old Canadian maps and documentary art The Great Lakes in the 18th & 19th centuries Lighthouses in Canada 19th Century Prince Edward County, Ontario Obscure tidbits of Ontario's military history. The province is not only home to Canada's largest city, Toronto, but it also has a diverse population and rich Welcome to Ontario Family History, an Ontario Ancestors site. The British colonies in Canada experienced waves of immigration, primarily from Britain, Ireland, and other European countries, contributing to the cultural diversity that defines Canada today. 3 percent of the country's population, and is the second-largest province by total area. All of these immigrant groups have made their own unique contributions to Ontario’s culture alongside the In 1788 present-day southern Ontario was divided into four districts: Hesse, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg and Nassau In 1791 the colony of Quebec was divided into the two provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. Timeline of important dates and major events in the history of Ontario. Travel back in time with us! Oil Springs is a village in Lambton County, Ontario, Canada, located along Former Provincial Highway 21 south of Oil City. [3][11] Ontario is Canada's fourth-largest jurisdiction in total area of all the Canadian provinces and Toronto[b] is the most populous city in Canada and the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. Timeline of Canadian history This is a brief timeline of the history of Canada, comprising important social, economic, political, military, legal, and territorial changes and events in Canada and its predecessor states. Throughout history, the Barrie area has been home to different Indigenous groups Ontario came into being as a province of Canada in 1867 but historians use the term to cover its entire history dating back to its earliest known beginnings. Oct 17, 2012 · Barrie, Ontario, incorporated as a city in 1959, population 147,829 (2021 census), 141,434 (2016 census). The township level settlement maps also include old pioneer roadways, railroads and waterways which were instrumental in turning the Long before the Royal Military College of Canada was established in 1876, there were proposals for military colleges in Canada. Our society is a non-profit, volunteer organisation dedicated to documenting and sharing the rich history of this area of Lanark County in eastern Ontario. Home to many of the province’s artists and cultural institutions, the city also functions as the media centre of English-speaking Canada; it thus plays a key role in popular culture and entertainment. It is situated on the western shore of Ramsey Lake, about 40 miles north of Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. Timeline of Ontario history Ontario came into being as a province of Canada in 1867. One out of four Ontario residents was born outside of Canada and a large percentage of the province’s population speaks languages other than English or French at home. French and British explorers and settlers started arriving in the 1600s. The Ontario Genealogical Society indexed the records by name. There are a number of companies out there who are attempting to have individuals purchase digitalized copies of these same Feb 17, 2023 · A look into Ontario history, its notable moments with a timeline, along with its eye-catching historic sites and connections to other provinces. The province was founded on parts of the traditional territories of the Ojibwa, Odawa, Potawatomi, Algonquin, Mississauga, Haudenosaunee, Neutral, Wendat, Cree, Oji-Cree and Métis. Order your book today! We are Canada’s largest member-supported genealogical organization, an Ontario registered non-profit corporation and a registered Canadian charity. Ontario Historyis a peer-reviewed scholarly journal that is published bi-annually by the Ontario Historical Society. It is situated on the south bank of the Detroit River directly across from the U. Upper Canada (Ontario) Pioneer Settler Land Locations, Census Records and Property Descriptions Historical Visits to Ontario Villages and Towns Take a trip back in time to the late 19th century and explore the towns and villages where your ancestors lived, loved, laboured, laughed and played. A list of the volumes and links to the digitized microfilm can be found on our partner website Héritage under Reference Guide: Upper Canada Land Books, 1787-1841. Every historian, journalist or student could make their own lists. Oct 22, 2012 · Hamilton, Ontario, incorporated as a city in 1846, population 569,353 (2021 census), 536,917 (2016 census). . Sep 29, 2021 · Discover 55 fun and interesting facts about Ontario Canada from official symbols to sightseeing tips to help plan your trip! Jan 5, 2021 · From underground bunkers to James Bond, there are so many interesting, fun, and just plain odd Ontario Facts. Ontario has the largest population of any province, with over 16 million in 2025, and is home to the largest city in Canada, Toronto, which is also the capital of the province. It became one of the first provinces to join the Dominion of Canada following the British North America Act in 1867, playing a central role in the formation of Canada as a nation. It is mostly rural, and its population centres are Chatham, Wallaceburg, Tilbury, Blenheim, Ridgetown, Wheatley and Dresden. Dec 19, 2020 · A concise historical overview of Ontario, covering key events and developments in the region. zgx t1pii ze m4vkh fot4 jtwfubv mykyi gog pbxe qkp