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Canada Historical Geography: Difference between revisions
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''[[Canada|Canada]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Canada_Historical_Geography|Historical Geography]]'' | ''[[Canada|Canada]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Canada_Historical_Geography|Historical Geography]]'' | ||
This section describes changes in the county structure of Canada and jurisdictions used in the | This section describes changes in the county structure of Canada and jurisdictions used in the FamilySearch Catalog. This will help you use the catalog to find records of the place your family lived. For help using an online database, [http://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php Canadian Geographical Names Data Base], click [[Geographical Names of Canada|here]]. | ||
== The Regions and Provinces of Canada == | == The Regions and Provinces of Canada == | ||
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Upper Canada was the name used for Ontario between 1791 and 1841. Quebec was called Lower Canada during the same period. Between 1841 and 1867, Ontario was called Canada West, and Quebec was called Canada East. | Upper Canada was the name used for Ontario between 1791 and 1841. Quebec was called Lower Canada during the same period. Between 1841 and 1867, Ontario was called Canada West, and Quebec was called Canada East. | ||
The | The FamilySearch Catalog uses Canadian jurisdictions as of 1960. You may need to determine previous boundaries and jurisdictions to find your ancestors’ records. Gazetteers and histories can help you find these changes. See "[[Canada History|History]]" and "[[Canada Gazetteers|Gazetteers]]." | ||
== The Counties and Municipalities of Canada == | == The Counties and Municipalities of Canada == | ||
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Counties were designated very early in British North America in the provinces of present eastern Canada, except in Newfoundland (which has never had counties). In the heyday of counties, 1850 to 1960, the heavily populated portions of eastern provinces had counties like those in the United States, with governments at county seats, usually called county towns. | Counties were designated very early in British North America in the provinces of present eastern Canada, except in Newfoundland (which has never had counties). In the heyday of counties, 1850 to 1960, the heavily populated portions of eastern provinces had counties like those in the United States, with governments at county seats, usually called county towns. | ||
Counties in eastern Canada did not always have their own governments. In pre-1850 Upper Canada (Ontario), for example, the counties served only (1) for land description; (2) as geographical areas where the militia was levied, and (3) as ridings, or precincts, for voting. Pre-1850 southern Ontario was divided into a varying number of districts, and government records were organized by those districts. The districts were abolished in 1849, and the counties became functioning governments. This means that records (particularly land and property records) can be listed in the Locality Search of the | Counties in eastern Canada did not always have their own governments. In pre-1850 Upper Canada (Ontario), for example, the counties served only (1) for land description; (2) as geographical areas where the militia was levied, and (3) as ridings, or precincts, for voting. Pre-1850 southern Ontario was divided into a varying number of districts, and government records were organized by those districts. The districts were abolished in 1849, and the counties became functioning governments. This means that records (particularly land and property records) can be listed in the Locality Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under many headings: | ||
[PROVINCE] [PROVINCE], [COUNTY] [PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [TOWNSHIP] [PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [CITY] | [PROVINCE] [PROVINCE], [COUNTY] [PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [TOWNSHIP] [PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [CITY] | ||
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Since 1953 there has been a tendency throughout Canada to combine the governments of townships, towns, and counties into regional governments of various names and kinds. This will eventually affect genealogical research, as records become centralized. | Since 1953 there has been a tendency throughout Canada to combine the governments of townships, towns, and counties into regional governments of various names and kinds. This will eventually affect genealogical research, as records become centralized. | ||
Most records of genealogical importance date from earlier times when the counties of eastern Canada functioned as governmental units (except in Newfoundland) and the west had no counties. The Locality Search of the | Most records of genealogical importance date from earlier times when the counties of eastern Canada functioned as governmental units (except in Newfoundland) and the west had no counties. The Locality Search of the FamilySearch Catalog lists jurisdictions in Newfoundland, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, and Northwest territories under: | ||
[PROVINCE] [PROVINCE], [CITY] | [PROVINCE] [PROVINCE], [CITY] | ||