Local History & Genealogy

Getting Started

When searching for ancestors in earlier military records such as muster rolls or pay lists, you may only find lists of names. However, in later periods, personnel records which include date and place of birth, next of kin, and occupation may be available. The Toronto Reference Library collects resources on Canadian and British military records, including regimental histories and armed forces lists.

Searching the Library Website

Suggested Subjects and Keywords

• Military pensions
• World War 1914-1918 registers or World War 1939-1945 registers
• [location] militia registers e.g. Ontario militia registers
• [name of war] officers e.g. War of 1812 officers
• Canadian Expeditionary Force (for World War I)
• Canada war medals
• [regimental name] e.g. Princess Patricia's
• regimental histories [location] e.g. regimental histories Canada
• Great Britain [Army, Navy or Airforce] registers e.g. Great Britain Army Registers

Suggested Titles

General

• Canadian military experience 1867-1995: a bibliography
• In search of the "forlorn hope": a comprehensive guide to locating British regiments and their records
• My ancestor was in the British army: how can I find out more about him?
• Regiments and corps of the Canadian army
• Tracing your army ancestors: a guide for family historians
• Indian army and civil service list
• British army pensioners abroad

War of 1812

• His majesty's gentlemen: a directory of regular British Army officers of the War of 1812
• Redcoated ploughboys....militia of Upper Canada 1813-1815. (ebook and print)
• Soldiers of the King: the Upper Canadian militia 1812-1815
• Taken and destroyed: War of 1812 losses claims, London and western districts.
• Tracing your War of 1812 ancestors: resources of USA, Canadian and British research
• York's sacrifice: militia casualties of the war of 1812  (ebook and print)

1828-1913

• "The Canadians": those who served in South Africa, 1899-1902
• Men of Upper Canada: militia nominal rolls, 1828-1829
• Militia list for Canada West, 1847
• Répertoire des officiers de milice du Bas-Canada

1914-1918

• Canadians at war: a guide to the battlefields and memorials of World War I
• C.E.F. roll of honour...1914-1919
• The Canadian experience of the Great War: a guide to memoirs
• List of officers and men serving in the First Canadian Contingent of the British Expeditionary Force 1914

1939-1945

• Canadians at war: a guide to the battlefields and memorials of World War II
• Canadians in the Royal Air Force
• Index to overseas deaths of Ontario servicemen and servicewomen 1939-1947
• Official casualty lists: Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian army, Royal Canadian Air Force, 1941-
• They shall grow not old: a book of remembrance

Using Online Resources

Recommended Websites

• Library and Archives Canada: Military (overview)
  •     South African War 1899 - 1902
  •     Soldiers of the First World War CEF
  •     Second World War Service Files: Canadian Armed Forces War Dead

In Library Resources

Database

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

Periodical 

• Canadian Military History

Note: medal registers information has also been indexed in the Library and Archives Canada database "Military Medals, Honours and Awards" 

For further assistance contact:

Answerline: 416-393-7131
[email protected]

Toronto Reference Library, Humanities and Social Sciences Department, 416-393-7175