Resources

Some of the most useful sources for genealogy and local history include directories, atlases, census, newspaper indexes and microfilm, church and cemetery records.

Many of the books in our library are now described in the Perth County Information Network's on-line catalogue. Using the "advanced search option", allows you to limit your results to Archives books only. or click here to go directly to the website.

Scroll down this page for more information about other resources available at the archives.

Directories	Atlases and Maps	Ontario Land Record Index	Census
Cemetery Records	Assessment Rolls	Newspapers	Church Records
Wills	Vital Statistics	School Records	Tweedsmuir Histories
Local Histories	Genealogical Library

Directories

• Directories of Perth County 1863-1931

• Directories of Stratford 1876-1998

These directories are available on microfiche at Stratford branch. Contact Mitchell and Listowel branches for details on their holdings.

Atlases and Maps

Belden Atlas of Perth County 1879 (reprinted by Mika and by Cumming in 1972)

Cumming Atlas of Perth County 1982

Both of these atlases contain names of residents on all farm lots.  A number of maps with similar information are held by the archives, but some of these are very fragile.  Of great interest are the Canada Company maps of about 1842.

The Stratford Branch also holds reprints of most other county atlases.

Ontario Land Record Index

Each of the Archives branches holds a microfiche copy of the Ontario Land Record Index published by the Ontario Archives.  Relevant Canada Company records and Crown Land records are available on microfilm. 

Census

1842-1845, 1847, 1848, 1850  Heads of household census for Huron District (on microfilm)

1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 Canada census for Perth County (on microfilm)

Available at all three divisions.

Cemetery Records

Avondale Cemetery (Stratford) register 1871-1923 is on microfilm at Stratford. The City of Stratford maintains an on-line index  to internments at Avondale Cemetery. Visit: www.city.stratford.on.ca/site_ourcitylife/city_services_cemetery.asp or click here to search the index.

Perth County Branch OGS cemetery transcriptions (with the exception of Avondale) are available for reference in all three divisions and for sale in Stratford. 

Assessment Rolls

Milverton rolls are still at the municipal office.  St. Marys Museum has St. Marys rolls to 1957.

Newspapers

Church Records

Many records of various denominations have been photocopied or microfilmed.  A few original records are stored at Stratford.  Microfilm of the original civil marriage registers (based on returns from clergy) for London District 1832-1853, Huron District 1841-1849 and Perth County 1858-1869 are available at the Stratford branch. Indexed transcriptions of these registers have been published and are available in our reference libraries.  Stratford branch also has microfilm copies of the Perth County Clerk of the Peace Baptism, Marriage and Death Register and related returns, 1853-1869. They have also been transcribed, indexed and published and the book available in our reference libraries. 

Wills

Stratford branch has microfilm copies of the Perth County Index to Wills, 1854-1964 and microfilm copies of the corresponding estate files up to 1930.

Listowel and Mitchell branches have microfilm copies of the indexes only.

Vital Statistics

Province-wide vital statistics indexes as microfilmed and sold by the Archives of Ontario are available for all of Ontario in the Stratford, Listowel and Mitchell branches. The Perth County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society generously purchases these films as they are released each year and makes them available in our reading room. We currently have indexes from 1869 for births up to 1910, marriages up to 1925 and deaths up to 1935.

The latest transfer of records from the Office of the Registrar General to the Archives of Ontario (1911 births, 1926 marriages, 1936 deaths) is being microfilmed and will be available some time in 2008..

For Births 1912-present, Marriages 1927-present, and Deaths 1937-present, you must contact the Office of the Registrar General at:

School Records

The archives holds school records (board minutes and student registers) for all pre-1969 school boards in Perth County though some series are incomplete. Please note these records have limited access because of protection of privacy legislation.  

Tweedsmuir Histories

The archives holds microfilm copies and some originals of the records and Tweedsmuir histories of the Women's Institutes in Perth County. 

Local Histories

The archives has a large collection of local histories for Perth County and other areas of Ontario.  There is also an extensive collection of indexed scrapbooks. 

Genealogical Library

There is a collection of family histories and genealogy reference books, as well as periodicals.  Newsletters of all OSG branches and a number of other genealogical societies are received in exchange by the Perth County Branch OGS and are available at the Archives.  

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© Stratford Perth Archives, 2002

Last modified April 03, 2009