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The DCMA has an extensive collection of historical reference books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.
Dufferin County Virtual War Memorial
The
Dufferin County Virtual War Memorial is
a compilation of genealogical and service information for more than
3,600 men and women who have served their country in 16 different
conflicts. From the Napoleonic Wars to the present day war in
Afghanistan, individuals from Dufferin County have answered the call to
defend the freedom of their country. Those wars and conflicts have
helped shape Dufferin’s history. They have left their mark on the men
and women who continue to influence the shape of the County.
Many of Dufferin’s earliest settlers
were veterans from the War of 1812 who received land grants in the
County in exchange for their service. Men from Dufferin County took up
arms in the American Civil War, and later stood to arms to defend the
border from the Fenian raiders. Others served in the government forces
in the Northwest Rebellion and in the Canadian contingent in the Boer
War. Dufferin County’s first female veteran served as a cook in the
Crimean War. Hundreds of men and women answered the call to serve in
both World Wars. The service , and sacrifice, of Dufferin’s youth
continues today in Afghanistan and in peacekeeping missions around the
world.
The War Memorial seeks to remember and
honour these men and women by preserving their history for the present
and future generations. It is currently available for use in-house at
the Dufferin County Museum and Archives .
If you know of a
veteran who should be in the memorial, please contact Anna Snipes at
(705) 435-1881 or at
research@dufferinmuseum.com.
If you would like to help this huge project grow towards completion,
your assistance will be warmly welcome. Please contact Anna.
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.