Genealogy

Researchers will find a goldmine of information in our Genealogy & History Research Centre and Archives. The core of the research center consists of the Georgian Bay Heritage League Collection. This collection contains over 500 genealogical files and numerous local history books.

Genealogy Workshops

Register for one or all of our genealogy courses. Contact the museum today for more information.

Research Assistance

A volunteer is present on Wednesdays for those in need of some guidance. Research can also be conducted by appointment by calling 549-2150 or emailing us at museum@penetanguishene.ca

Research Fees

Our Collection

R.A.B. du PRDH
Repertory of the Baptism, Marriage and Burial Certificates of 17th and 18th Century Québec 1621-1799 (CD-ROM)
Dictionnaire généalogique du Québec ancien des origins a 1765 (CD-ROM)
The French Canadians 1699-1900
Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec des origines a 1730 - René Jetté
Dictionnaire Biographique Des Ancetres Québecois (1608-1700) Tomes 1-4 -  Michel Langlois
Dictionnaire national des Canadiens Francais 1608-1760 Tomes 1-3 - Institut Drouin
Repertoires of baptisms, marriages and burials for most churches and counties of Québec (books, microfiche and CD-ROM)

The following general research materials are available:

  • local history books
  • Tiny, Tay, Penetanguishene, Midland and Christian Island census records
  • select church records
  • genealogical and history magazines, newsletters and periodicals
  • family reference files
  • obituary notices
  • George Gordon Papers

Also available (by appointment) are materials relating to:

  • C. Beck Lumber Company & General Store records
  • municipal records
  • Wright's Hardware & McDonald's Hardware Store records
  • newspapers
  • photographs
  • books and maps
  • sheet music
  • historical Architecture

Histories and information are available for the following topics:

  • the Drummond Islanders
  • military and naval personnel
  • the fur trade
  • First Nations and Metis
  • local industries and economic development
  • local religious groups
  • local and Québec families
  • St. Ann's, Penetanguishene
  • Ste-Croix, Lafontaine
  • St. Patrick, Perkinsfield
  • St. John's, Waubaushene
  • St. Margaret's, Midland
  • St. James-on-the-Lines (Hallen Registers 1835-1877)
  • Methodist Church, Penetanguishene
  • Presbyterian Church, Penetanguishene
  • Marriage Repertoire - Lafontaine, Perkinsfield, Penetanguishene 1835-1983
  • The Mackinac Registers 1695-1821
  • Ste. Anne, Detroit, Paroisses Exterieurs 1808-1833
  • Marriage Records, Ste. Anne Church, Detroit 1701-1850
  • Assumption Church Registers, Sandwich, Ontario 1761-1786
  • St. Mary's Catholic Church Baptisms, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 1811-1900
  • Baptismal Register of the Mission of St. Igance de Michilimackianc
  • Immaculate Heart of Mary, Garden River, Ontario 1848-1932
  • Wikwemikong & Missions 1838-1871
  • Byng Inlet & Britt Church Registers 1891-1916
  • Reduction Indienne de Ste. Croix, Ile Manitoulin 1848-1852
  • Mariages Paroisee Sainte-Anne de Sudbury 1883-1983
  • Moyen-Nord Ontarien Vol. 5, Cache Bay, Field, Lavigne, Verner
  • Moyen-Nord Ontarien Vol. 11, Sault-Sainte-Marie, St-Ignace, Sainte-Croix, Precious Blood, H.N. of Mary, Dubreuilville, Wawa
  • The Marriage Registers of Upper Canada/Canada West, Vol. 16: Simcoe District 1842-1857
  • County Marriage Registers of Ontario, Canada 1858-1869 Vol. 12, Index to Simcoe County

In addition to local areas

  • 1820 Territory of Michigan
  • 1830 Michilimackinac
  • 1881 Canada (CD-ROM)
  • 1880 United States (CD-ROM)
  • 1666 Montreal
  • 1861 Medonte and Flos Agricultural
  • 1871 Return of Deaths - Christian & Beausoleil Islands
  • 1871 Return of Deaths - Tiny & Tay
  • 1871 Return of Industries
  • 1881 Village of Midland
  • Listings of the Residents of the Town of Midland 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901
  • 1901 Parry Sound District
  • 1901 First Nations Nipissing and Parry Sound
  • 1834 Coldwater
  • 1871 Census of Indian Reserves
  • 1836 census of Michigan Half-Breeds
  • 1896 Parry Sound Agency Census
  • John Askin Papers
  • French Families of the Detroit River Region 1701-1936, Vol. 1 & 2
  • L'Anse Creuse Register
  • The Migration of Voyageurs from Drummond Island to Penetanguishene in 1828
  • The Windsor Border Region
  • The French Families in Wisconsin and the Northwest
  • The British Regime in Wisconsin and the Northwest
  • Michigan Voyageurs from the Notary Book of Samuel Abbott, Mackinac Island 1807-1817
  • Durant Rolls

Published and donated family information on Daoust, Beck, Dusome, Tessier, De La Ronde, Giroux, Sauve, Desroches, Courtemanche, Maurice, Marchildon, Leblanc, Copeland, Belcourt, Davenport, Farney and many, many others.

Local and north Simcoe Couty burial grounds including

Penetanguishene, Midland, Tiny & Tay Townships

  • Red Oak Cemetery, Beausoleil Island
  • A. Barrie & Sons Funeral Home Records 1927-1957
  • St. James-on-the-Lines Index of Internments 1837-2003 (includes additional information)

Marriage Repertoire Lafontaine (Ste. Croix) 1856 to 1983, Perkinsfield (St. Patrick) 1909 to 1982

Penetanguishene (St. Ann) 1835 to 1982 includes 305 pages of brides' and grooms' names', parents, dates and place of marriage performed at the three locations. Marital status (widow or widower), First Nations marriages and a bride's index are included.

Numerous compiled family reports and documents in book format - Boucher-Desroches, Chretien, Leblanc, Tessier, Courtemanche, Marchand, Daoust.

Britt and Byng Inlet BMDs. Hewson Conveyancing Reports and Municipal Constables' Reports.

Planning a Visit

Everything you need to know about visiting the Museum. 

Museum Programs

View and register for a Museum program. 

Cemeteries

View all Cemetery records in North Simcoe. 

Penetanguishene Centennial
Museum & Archives

13 Burke Street,
Penetanguishene, ON
L9M 1C1
T: 705-549-2150
Email Us

Scroll to top