ONTARIO-L Archives

Archiver > ONTARIO > 1998-08 > 0903640622


From: John Helmut Merz <>
Subject: Re: Genealogy in Ontario and Britain.
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 12:17:02 -0700


John,
Thank you for the compliments, John and I would be happy to help others
in their research in England. Canadian research is basically the same as
British research because it is based upon the English "system" of
keeping
records. However, for your English research questions, please email me
personally and not through this Ontario list.

However, I must say that, so far, I have not found the Canadian CHURCH
records to be quite as available as the English church records are. Just
about every County Record Office [CRO] in England has the church records
for all researchers to look at. This includes even some of the
"non-conformist" records such as the Quakers, the Methodists, the
Baptists and the Presbyterians, etc. The Public Record Office [PRO] in
London also has thousands of records along with the records of the
Prerogative Court of Canterbury or York [P.C.C./P.C.Y.] which includes
many thousands of proven wills and admons [Letters of Administration for
a death with no will].

Admittedly, the Church of England was pretty much the ruling government
in England for many hundreds of years - and still is somewhat to this
day! So of course, they HAD to keep their records, but "had to" or not,
they are really MOST amazing! Everything from Parish Registers and Poor
Laws Administration to Vestry Minutes, Churchwarden Accounts, individual
ministerial books and records and even records of central church
government referring to church membership - i.e. recussant rolls,
protestant returns,and tithe records, etc. etc. etc.

Perhaps I'm wrong in my estimation about Canadian church records and if
I have stepped on someone's toes, please remember, the above is strictly
MY opinion at this point in time. I would love to have this opinion
changed sometime! :):)

In the meantime, HAPPY HUNTING to ALL Canadian researchers - and
British too! :):) Nan.

John Merz wrote:
>but Nancy, or Nan for short, she knows
>her way around British archives and research, she may be able to help
>many of you, who have roots on that island on the other side.
>Have a nice warm welcome for her, and good luck with your search
>in Ontario, Nancy.

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