OGS Libraries - Queries

Looking at the Library Catalogue may answer your question. However, the Provincial Library of the Ontario Genealogical Society also has volunteers who can help you use our library collection.

We can

• determine if a particular family history or other book or article in the library collection makes reference to one or more of your ancestors
• see if a particular cemetery has had its monuments transcribed
• advise you about other sources of information which may help you in your search

Library queries may be sent by e-mail or by mail to:

Library Queries
The Ontario Genealogical Society
Suite 102, 40 Orchard View Blvd.
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1B9

Hit a Brick Wall? Need another opinion?

We do provide limited research advice, particularly to beginning genealogists. Our resident volunteer genealogist can advise you on where to go next in your search

The simplest way to request this advice is to send an email query to research@ogs.on.ca

Include the following in your email:

• What you are trying to find out - such as the name and other known information about the missing ancestor
• The information you have that you are using as the basis for your search
• The places you have already looked without success
• The more information you can send, the greater the chance of success

If you phone the Provincial Office at 416-489-0734, you may also be able to have a short conversation with our genealogist.

We also deal with simple queries by mail:

Ontario Genealogical Society - Research
40 Orchard View Blvd, Suite 102,
Toronto ON M4R 1B9

The OGS Research Service

We can help you locate specific information about a specific person. We do look-ups in common indexes and photocopy material from our library and from the Archives of Ontario, such as birth, marriage, and death records. We charge $25 an hour for this (most queries do not take more than an hour). Contact us to find out what we can do and how much it is likely to cost.

We will research, on your behalf:

• OGS Library
• OGS Pedigree collection
• OGS Family History Collection - 2800 family histories
• Vital Statistic records - birth 1869-1909, marriage 1873-1924 and death 1869-1934
• 1851-1911 Canadian census records and the 1906 Canadian Western census records
• City Directories
• Index to OGS Publications

Private Researchers

The Ontario Genealogical Society does not do detailed genealogical research. For that you should hire a professional genealogist. We do not make recommendations - we suggest that you visit the website of the Ontario Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

It is wise, especially when working with a researcher for the first time, to agree on the work and the payment in advance. Family history research is an open-ended task, and finding a simple fact can take a lot of research time. Professional genealogists can advise on how much particular searches may cost, and how long they may take. Be clear about your limits both in how much you want and what you will pay. Different researchers may have different fees, and different work loads.