Ontario Township Papers on FamilySearch

Recently the Township papers, ca. 1783-1870's collection of records were opened up on FamilySearch so that you can view them from the comfort of your home.

So just what is this collection? From the description page found within the digitized microfilms they state:

"These are the earliest land files. If a document or letter mentions a specific lot and contains nothing of general interest, it has been defined as a township paper."

Additionally, from the description on the FamilySearch catalogue pages, they mention that these are the digitization of the microfilms within the RG 1, series C-IV collection in the possession of the Archives of Ontario.  The series is a group of land-related records where you might be able to find copies of various documents such orders-in-council, location certificates, assignments, patents, and various correspondence concerning the land. The records were created by various agencies over the years:

• ca. 1783-1791: Surveyor General's Office of the Province of Quebec
  
• 1791-1827: Surveyor General's Office of Upper Canada
  
• 1827-1867: Crown Lands Department for the Province of Canada
  
• 1867-ca. 1870: Department of Crown Lands for the Province of Ontario
  

So how do you find this collection on FamilySearch? 

For starters, it isn't just one entry in the FamilySearch catalogue but two:

• Township papers, ca. 1783-1870's: Abinger township to Haldimand township
• Township papers, ca. 1783-1870's: Hallowell township to Zorra township
  

Screen capture of a partial list of townships from Ontario Township papers, ca. 1783-1870's on FamilySearch.

As you might noticed from the above listing the townships/villages/towns are in alphabetical order. The various digitized microfilms may hold the records of one township, parts of a township, or several townships or villages.

Within each digitized microfilm the pages are ordered by Concession number and within the Concessions the records are ordered by Lot number. However, for villages and towns, the papers are arranged alphabetically by the name of the locatee.

For each group of pages for a piece of property you will come across a starting page within the digitized microfilm with the name of the township, the lot number, and the concession number. Here is an example of one such page:

Ontario, Township papers, ca. 1783-1870's, Haldimand Township, Lot 2; 5th Con. cover page; Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,402,724, image 13.

By the way, when looking at the multi-image view on FamilySearch, after a bit of experience, you will be able to easily pick out those pages as guideposts in your search for the concession and lot that you are looking for.

So what might be found in these files? 

How about the details of a grant. Here we have the details of a grant of 800 acres (less 114 2/7 acres for a Protestant Clergy) in Haldimand township made via a 2 Jun 1798 Order in Council describing, in chains and various angles, the property given to James Stuart, a Barrister at Law, of the City of Quebec in the Province of Lower Canada.

Ontario, Township papers, ca. 1783-1870's, Haldimand Township, Lot 1, 3, 4, 22; 5th Con. Grant; Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,402,724, image 11.

Maybe a letter asking for money to be refunded like we have here after the lots a Mr. Angus McDonell had purchased were assigned to Mr. John Lane via an Order in Council.

Ontario, Township papers, ca. 1783-1870's, Cornwall Town, Lots 17 & 18 North side of Sixth Street, Letter from Angus McDonell; Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,402,636, image 375.

You can even come across a Location Ticket that describes a person's military service such as the one for John Alison (or Allison) who was a Sergeant in the First Flank Companies of the 1st Regiment of Prince Edwards Militia who settled in Madoc Township.

Ontario, Township papers, ca. 1783-1870's, Madoc Township, Concession 1, Lot 4, Location Ticket for John Alison or John Allison; Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,378,328, image 247.

These are just some of the kinds of documents found in the files of the Ontario Township Papers. 

Keep in mind that just like using the various land records for the counties found on OnLand or elsewhere within FamilySearch, you will need to first find your ancestors "on the ground."