Resources in the Archives Reading Room

The DCMA has an extensive collection of historical reference books available for researchers' use. We welcome researchers of all ages and interests, whether "armchair" historians, elementary school students, or thesis candidates! The following list outlines some of the unique resources available at the DCMA for research purposes.

Our Local History collection of over 500 works includes valuable historical information on Dufferin and area towns, villages, churches, and schools, as well as many personal anecdotes of life in this region of Ontario. We also feature an extensive collection of municipal government information, such as the by-laws, council minutes and financial records of Dufferin’s towns and villages, the earliest of which dating from 1851. Information on social organizations such as the Loyal Orange Lodge, the Masonic Lodge, and Women's Institutes, including the Tweedsmuir Histories, compiled by the individual branches of Dufferin's Women's Institutes, are also available.

The Museum Reference collection is accessible to researchers who are interested in finding and verifying information on Canadian, American, and British antiques, Canadian glassware, antique furniture, costume jewellery, and textiles. If you have treasured family antiques in your china cabinet, and would like to learn more about them, you will want to consult some of the 100 books pertaining to antiques, including Eaton's catalogues, antiques price guides, and glassware pattern books.

Our Canadian History section of over 200 works includes texts of general interest in Canadian social, economic, and political history.

The Home & Health Advice section includes works in gardening techniques, heritage flora & fauna, and garden design. We also have a collection of 200 works pertaining to Canadian Agriculture, as well as the following subjects: Genealogy, Cooking, Maps, Bibles, Music, and School Textbooks.

Family History Files:

In two "self-serve" filing cabinets in the archives reading room there are a number of family histories and research files. Be sure to check the files before beginning your genealogical research!

Cemetery Master Index & Transcriptions:

If you are uncertain from which town or township your relatives might have hailed, consult the Master Cemetery List on the open shelf in the Reading Room. The letter code before the family name refers to the cemetery. The number after the names refers to the section and plot numbers. A key is included at the front of each volume. Located on the service counter in the Reading Room are transcriptions of all cemeteries in Dufferin County. The inscription on each headstone has been transcribed, and an index of names for each one has been complied. Some Dufferin families are buried outside Dufferin County. Check the Reference copies on the wooden shelves for out of County records.

Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Records:

There are four reels of microfilm of transcripts of Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Records from across Ontario. The baptisms are registered by township. An index of reels and locations is available on the wooden shelf in the Reading Room.

Census Records:

The Archives holds microfilm of all existing census records for the municipalities of Dufferin County from 1852-1901 inclusive. Census returns were originally filed by county, which was deemed to be a federal riding. As ridings multiplied, Dufferin's townships were divided among five different ridings, even after Dufferin County was formed in 1881.

Note:
The 1852 census for Mono & Mulmur (and most of Simcoe county) is missing.
The 1891 census for East Garafraxa is missing.
The 1871 census for all townships has been indexed.

Civil Registration Index:

The province required civil registration of births marriages and deaths from 1869 onwards. The Archives holds the indexes to these records on microfilm. There is a separate index for births, marriages and deaths. Each index shows the name of the person, the date of the event, the municipality, and the certificate number. The certificates themselves are available on microfilm at the Archives of Ontario.

District Marriage Registers:

Before Civil Registration was introduced, ministers were required to submit marriage registrations to a district clerk. These district marriage registers are available on microfilm. Simcoe District marriage registers date from 1842. Wellington District registers from 1858. Home District registers date from 1816. Many have handwritten indexes included in the records. The Ontario Genealogical Society has published indexes to the District Marriage Registers for the years 1858-1868; these are available at our service desk.

Newspapers:

The Archives have back issues of many Dufferin County newspapers. These are available on microfilm or microfiche.

Note: Some years may be missing.
Orangeville Sun 1861-1933 indexed;
Orangeville Banner, 1906-1976;
Grand Valley Star & Vidette 1900-1908; 1926-91;
Shelburne Economist, 1883-1928;
Shelburne Free Press, 1887-1928;
Shelburne Free Press & Economist, 1928-1955.

Some of the newspapers are not filmed and are therefore in loose copies. These can be viewed with Archives staff supervision.

Dufferin County Land Records:

The Abstract of Title books, pre-1968, and the Clerk's Copy Books, for Dufferin County are available. As they are fragile and cumbersome, please consult other sources of information first. These books may not be photocopied.

Municipal Records:

A sampling of municipal records for the County of Dufferin, towns and various townships are available. Please consult the Archivist for further information.

Directories and County Atlases:

County directories area available for the years 1894 and 1902. The Home District directory for 1837 is also available. Reprints of County Atlases for Wellington, Simcoe, Grey and Peel, ca. 1877-1881, are available.