Asian Genealogy

Getting Started

Trace your Chinese ancestors in Canada using immigration records and head tax certificates.  The Library also has some handbooks and name guides on Japanese, Korean and East Indian genealogies. Some resources are written in the ethnic language.

Searching the Library Website

Suggested Subjects and Keywords

• [name of ethnic group]  genealogy  e.g. Chinese genealogy
• [name of ethnic group]  names   e.g. Japanese names
• [name of ethnic group] place  e.g. Koreans Ontario

Suggested Titles

• Asian American genealogical sourcebook
• Ethnic genealogy: a research guide
• Family lineage records as a resource for Korean history
• A gazetteer of Japanese place names: in characters and in Romaji script, giving latitudes and longitudes
• In search of your Asian roots: genealogical research on Chinese surnames
• Shuben xungen baijiaxing
• Tracing your Philippine ancestors
• They came in ships: guide to finding your immigrant ancestor's arrival record
• Xing shi jian jie [Chinese names]

Using Online Resources

Recommended Websites

• Genealogy - Asia

Chinese

• Library and Archives Canada Genealogy - Chinese
• Vancouver Public Library - Chinese-Canadian Genealogy

East Indians

• Library and Archives Canada Genealogy - East Indians

 Recommended Databases

• Globe and Mail - Canada's Heritage from 1844 (Toronto Public Library card login required)
• Toronto Star - Pages of the Past (Toronto Public Library card login required)

In Library Resources

Database

• Ancestry Library Edition (access from any Toronto Public Library computer)

Microforms

Check the finding aids available at the North York Central Library :

    Census

• Catalogue of census returns on microfilm: 1666-1891 and 1901 supplement (also available online free from Library Archives Canada)
• 1906 and 1916 Censuses of the Northwest Provinces

     Ships, Passenger Lists:

• Registers of Chinese Immigrants, 1887-1949 
• British Columbia Ports - Passenger Lists 1905-1935
• Newfoundland registers of arrivals and outward registrations
• The above are combined in one database available online free from Library and Archives Canada)

 For further assistance contact:

Canadiana Department, North York Central Library 416-395-5623

Humanities and Social Science, Toronto Reference Library 416-395-5577