R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Manitoba
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Research Strategy
Archives And Libraries
Census
Church Records
Collections
Directories
Emmigration And Immigration
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Military Records
Municipal Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Schools
Societies
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

LAND AND PROPERTYLook this term up in the glossary.

Land grants in Manitoba prior to 1870 were basically under the control of the Hudson’s Bay CompanyLook this term up in the glossary.. These early land records are found in the Hudson’s Bay Company Archives at the Provincial Archives. They cover the years 1811–1833 (Land Register “A”) and about 1830–1871 (Land Register “B”). Some land registration and sales volumes for the years 1823–1862 also exist.

In 1870, jurisdiction over Crown landsLook this term up in the glossary. was transferred from the Hudson’s Bay Company to the Dominion of Canada. The land was surveyed and sold to homesteadersLook this term up in the glossary. by the Dominion government until 1930. In that year jurisdiction over land transactions was given to the provincial governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

All land transactions following the initial Crown grantsLook this term up in the glossary. from 1871 to 1885 were registered under the “old system.” This system did not provide the titlesLook this term up in the glossary. to property, but only recorded the transactions. In 1885, the Torrens systemLook this term up in the glossary. was adopted. The Torrens system provided the land titles themselves as well as a registry of transactions.

HomesteadLook this term up in the glossary. records are found in the Provincial Archives.

Microfilmed records of land grants prior to 1930 are available through the Crown Lands RegistryLook this term up in the glossary. in Winnipeg.

You may also search original township registers, fiatsLook this term up in the glossary., and supporting documentation at the Provincial Archives for records of land grants. Subsequent land transfers are registered in the seven local Land Titles Offices throughout the province. For their addresses contact the Registrar at Land Titles Office in Winnipeg (see the ”Archives and Libraries” section of this outline).

To obtain access to land records in Manitoba it is necessary to know the exact legal description of the landLook this term up in the glossary.. There are three sources that can help in determining this description:

  • The alphabetical index to patentees in Western Canada, 1873–1930
  • The alphabetical index of half-breed and white settlers’ claims, 1870–1885
  • Various rural directories, 1881–1922

The first two sources are at the National Archives of Canada.


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MILITARY RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

Manitoba never really had a militiaLook this term up in the glossary., nor did it have the need for contingents of the British army to remain on a regular basis. For these reasons, not many military records exist. A few muster rolls, pay lists, and enlistment records for the period 1815–1877 are located at the National Archives of Canada.

Indexes to military records of major conflicts, rebellions and wars can be accessed through the Genealogy Unit of the National Archives (see the “Archives and Libraries” section for the address and telephone number). Copies of specific documentation may be obtained by written request to the Personnel Records Unit, Researcher Services Division of the National Archives of Canada.


World War ILook this term up in the glossary. (1914-1918)

Canadian Expeditionary ForceLook this term up in the glossary. (CEF) service records are available through the Personnel Records Unit of the National Archives of Canada (see the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline for the address). These service records contain detailed information from enlistment to demobilization (discharge). Information may include each person's date and place of birth, address at time of enlistment, name and address of next of kin, marital status, occupation, personal description (eye and hair color, height, weight, distinctive marks or scars), and religion. When requesting information from the Personnel Records Unit, please include the person's name, rank, and regiment (where known).


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MUNICIPAL RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

Original and microfilmed copies of municipal records are being gathered by the Provincial Archives. These records should be searched first before approaching the local municipal offices, though the majority of the records still remain within the custody of the local offices. The minutes of the Council of Assiniboin, 1832–1869, are located in several different archives in Manitoba. Records for the city of Winnipeg are held at the City of Winnipeg Archives.

The tax records and assessment rolls are the municipal records of greatest genealogical value. They may contain information on the family members and an indication of the financial position of the family.

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