Research guide: civil registration

Birth, marriage, and death dates are the cornerstones of any family history, and government vital records are the first place you will look for them. “Civil registration” refers to the government registration of all births, marriages, and deaths. In Canada, civil registration is a provincial or territorial responsibility. Access to and availability of records varies from province to province.

Birth, marriage and death records (usually called “vital records”) can provide a wealth of genealogical information. Depending on the record, you may find not only dates but important clues about parents, occupation, birthplace, residence, religion etc. Death records are often the most informative.

Many vital records have been digitized and are available online. Ancestry Library, FamilySearch, or Généalogie Québec are good places to start your search.

Where to find vital records

Library Resources

Online Resources

Ancestry Library (In-Library use only)

Vital records from Canada, United States, and many other countries

Généalogie Québec (In-Library use only)

Quebec baptism and death certificates (1621-1849); Fonds Drouin registries (1621-1967); and marriage and death certificates (1926-1997)

PRDH (Programme de recherche en démographie historique) (In-Library use only)

Quebec baptisms, marriages, and burials, 1621-1799

Print

Marriage Registers of Upper Canada / Canada West

Includes some marriages prior to 1858. Anglican and Catholic marriages are not included.

County Marriage Registers of Ontario, 1858-1869

Includes all denominations

Répértoire alphabétique des mariages des Canadians-français, 1760 – 1935 (Drouin)

Alberta, formerly Northwest Territories, Index to Registration of Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1870-1905

Websites

FamilySearch

Website of LDS Family History Center, with billions of genealogy records that can be searched for free. Includes vital records from Canada, United States, and many other countries.