Resources

Last Updated on January 28, 2022 by Michelle McIver

We have compiled a list of various websites that we have used to find documents and information that are included in our electronic family tree. Please contact us if you have any additional resources to share.

General Genealogy Websites

We recommend using a combination of all these websites as some sites may provide access to resources that are not available though one particular website. Particularly Find a Grave and Billion Graves websites may have information on different cemeteries, or even different graves in the same cemetery.

OrganizationDescriptionRelated LinksFree/Paid
Ancestry.comProvides access to a significant volume of records worldwide.Ancestry.comPaid subscription service
My HeritageProvides access to a significant volume of records worldwide.myheritage.comPaid subscription service
Family SearchFamily tree software run by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints; Access to various records similar to Ancestry.com.familysearch.orgFree
Newspapers.comProvides access to various historical newspapers worldwide.Newspapers.comPaid subscription service
Find a GraveSearch tool for burial information, headstones.Find a Grave websiteFree
Billion GravesSearch tool for burial information, headstones.Billion Graves websiteFree

Canada

OrganizationDescriptionRelated Links
Library and Archives CanadaGovernment of Canada website that provides access to Government records such as Census records, Military records, and Immigration records.Home page
Full collection search
Military Records

Prince Edward Island

OrganizationDescriptionRelated Links
Prince Edward Island Public Archives and Records Office (PARO)Provides access to vital statistics records, census records and other archive collections.
– We suggest using the Advanced Search function – we’ve had the most success here with baptismal records
– Use wildcard * to broaden search results to account for spelling variations.
– There are a lot of misspellings within the baptismal records, also the use of shortened first names or nicknames. You may want to leave some fields blank to get more results.
– Standard search uses keywords and dates.
– Advanced search allows you to select vital statistics (baptisms, marriages, deaths), census records or other archival collections
PARO Search

Memory PEI Search
Island Archives

University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
Island Archives is a program to provide online access to the recorded history of Prince Edward Island, hosted by the Robertson Library at the University in Prince Edward Island.Island Archives Main Page
Island Newspapers (UPEI)Digitized historic newspapers of Prince Edward Island, including The Guardian from the 1890s to the 1950s.
– The search tool is finicky, so you may need to search through many unrelated results, however there are many good finds in here.
Island Newspapers
Island Voices (UPEI)Audio and video recordings documenting PEI oral history.Island Voices
Island Lives (UPEI)Books about Prince Edward Island, highlighting community, church, and local histories. Island Lives
Island Imagined (UPEI)Online collection of historic maps of PEIIsland Imagined

Other Canadian Provinces

Province (West-East)OrganizationDescriptionRelated Links
British ColumbiaBC Archives, Royal BC MuseumVital statistics data – access to digitized registration documents
Tip: Need to have exactly accurate spelling – try with and without middle name, as well as common spelling errors.
Search tool

YouTube Instructional Video
YukonYukon GenealogyVarious archived recordsSearch tool
Yukon ArchivesVarious archived recordsSearch tool
AlbertaProvincial Archives of AlbertaVital statistics data
– You can search the indexes, but need to complete a Vital Statistics Request (requires payment) to access a copy of the registration document.
– Names starting with Mc/Mac are shown under M, but separate from the rest of the M’s. Scroll to the end of the M document to see these.
Search tool
SaskatchewaneHealth Saskatchewan Genealogy Index SearchesSearch tool
Provincial Archives of SaskatchewanFamily History ResearchArchives main page
ManitobaManitoba Vital Statistics BranchVital statistics dataSearch tool
OntarioArchives of OntarioInlcudes a number of research tools, databases and catalogues of information to help you in your research. 
– Unfortunately you cannot access this information directly from the Province of Ontario.
– Digital access is available through Ancestry or Family Search only. Microfilm is available in the Archives of Ontario reading room and through the Microfilm Interloan Service.
Archives main page
QuebecGenealogie Quebec Various archived recordsMain Page
New BrunswickProvincial Archives of New BrunswickVital statistics dataSearch tool
Nova ScotiaNova Scotia ArchivesVital statistics dataSearch tool
NewfoundlandThe RoomsVital statistics data
– Digital copies of records are available.
Main page
Newfoundland’s Grand Banks Genealogical and Historical DataVital Statistics for Newfoundland, Listed by DistrictMain page
Memorial University LibrariesVarious archived recordsMain page

United States of America

StateOrganizationDescriptionRelated Links
PennsylvaniaCatholic Historical Research Center of the Archdiocese of PhiladelphiaVarious church recordsMain page
PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia Congregations Early RecordsVarious church recordsMain page

Ireland

OrganizationDescriptionRelated Links
Catholic Parish Registers at the National Library of IrelandProvides access to various church registers, which you can search by parish, or using an interactive map.Main page