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History of Ontario, Canada
Journey back in time to Ontario, Canada
Visit Ontario, Canada. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.Do You Have Ontario Roots? Share MY Ancestral Story!
"Ontario is Canada's most populous and second-largest province. It stretches from Canada's southernmost point at Middle Island in Lake Erie in the south, to the Manitoba-Ontario border on Hudson Bay in the north, and from the banks of the St. Lawrence River in the east, to the Manitoba border in the west. The name Ontario, from a Huron word sometimes translated as meaning "beautiful lake" or "beautiful water," is apt, since lakes cover 17 per cent of the province's total area of just over one million km2." www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
"Ontario acquired its name from the Iroquois word “kanadario”, which translates into “sparkling” water. The earliest recording of the name Ontario was in 1641 where it was used to describe a mass of land on the north shore of the easternmost part of the Great Lakes. The British settlers had originally called the land that covered Quebec, Ontario, and part of the United States all as Quebec. It wasn’t until the British enacted the Constitutional Act in 1791 that Ontario would be known as the land upstream from the St. Lawrence River, or Upper Canada, and Quebec considered the land downstream from the St. Lawrence River, known as Lower Canada. In 1867, Ontario and Quebec officially became separate provinces." nrcan.gc.ca
"Ontario: Residents of Canada's most populous province -- the country's economic, political and cultural colossus -- are generally thought of as more business-like and conservative than other Canadians." ediplomat.com
There is MUCH more to discover about Ontario, Canada. Read on!
Ontario Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Ontario, Canada
Postcard
Birds Eye View of Barrie, Ont. Canada
Ontario, Canada
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Victory Oil Stove
Burrow, Stewart & Milne
Hamilton, Ontario
Ontario, Canada
Map
www.freeusandworldmaps.com
Ontario, Canada
Postcard
International Bridge showing Customs House, Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada
Ontario, Canada
Postcard
Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada
Collegiate Institute
Ontario, Canada
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Ontario
Canada's Vacation Province
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Discover Ontario: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Add History/News/Story
1774 - Quebec Act passed, Ontario region added to Quebec Province
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
1784 - Over 9,000 United Empire Loyalists settled in (now) southern Ontario
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
1791 - Upper Canada founded (future Ontario)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
(1812 - 1814) War of 1812, Upper Canada chief target of Americans due to large population of American immigrants
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
1841 - Upper and Lower Canada united by Act of Union to form Province of Canada; Upper Canada became Canada West, Lower Canada became Canada East
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
1855 - The first modern game of ice hockey was played, in Kingston, Ontario
1867 - New Brunswick and Nova Scotia joined Ontario and Quebec in the new Dominion of Canada; Honourable Sir Narcisse-Fortunat Belleau appointed first lieutenant-governor; Pierre-Joseph-Oliver Chauveau became first premier
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ pqztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ pqztimeln.htm
1869 - The Ontario Government asks for an appropriation to erect and asylum for the 1,000 Canadian lunatics.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 30, 1869
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 30, 1869
1871--Population of Ontario 1,620,851
www.statcan.gc.ca
www.statcan.gc.ca
1873
ONTARIO, a province of the Dominion of Canada, bounded on the N.E. and E. by the province of Quebec; on the S.E., S.S.W. and W. by the River St. Lawrence and its great lakes; and on the N.W. and N. by the North West Territories. Length from S.E. to N.W. about 750 miles, and from N.E. to S.W., about 500 miles. Area, land and inland waters, 107,780 square statute miles, equal to 18,979,372 acres. Area of the Ontario frontier waters of the St. Lawrence and its large lakes about 27,094 square statute miles, or 17,340.160 acres.
The surface of the country is gently undulating, rather than mountainous, and is diversified by rivers aid lakes. The ridge of high laud which enters the province at Niagara Falls extends to Hamilton, and is continued to Owen Sound, thence along the peninsula to Cabot Head and through the Manitoulin Islands of Lake Huron. The Laurentian hills run westward from the Thousand Islands, near Kingston, and 'extend north of Lake Simcoe, forming the coast of Georgian... Read MORE...
ONTARIO, a province of the Dominion of Canada, bounded on the N.E. and E. by the province of Quebec; on the S.E., S.S.W. and W. by the River St. Lawrence and its great lakes; and on the N.W. and N. by the North West Territories. Length from S.E. to N.W. about 750 miles, and from N.E. to S.W., about 500 miles. Area, land and inland waters, 107,780 square statute miles, equal to 18,979,372 acres. Area of the Ontario frontier waters of the St. Lawrence and its large lakes about 27,094 square statute miles, or 17,340.160 acres.
The surface of the country is gently undulating, rather than mountainous, and is diversified by rivers aid lakes. The ridge of high laud which enters the province at Niagara Falls extends to Hamilton, and is continued to Owen Sound, thence along the peninsula to Cabot Head and through the Manitoulin Islands of Lake Huron. The Laurentian hills run westward from the Thousand Islands, near Kingston, and 'extend north of Lake Simcoe, forming the coast of Georgian... Read MORE...
1875 - Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway began at Fort William, Ontario
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
1884 - Boundary dispute resolved between Ontario and Manitoba
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
1886 - The first Workman's Compensation Act was passed in Ontario
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
1906 - Hydro-Electric of Ontario was created, first publicly owned electric utility in the world
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
1916 - July 29 – In Ontario, Canada, a lightning strike ignites a forest fire that destroys the towns of Cochrane and Matheson, killing 233.
wikipedia.org
July 29, 1916
wikipedia.org
July 29, 1916
1954 - First crude oil reached Sarnia, Ontario through pipeline from Edmonton
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
1965 - 10,000 postal workers in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia struck for higher wages
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ onztimeln.htm
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Ontario:
Toronto:
Visit the iconic CN Tower for panoramic views of the city.
Explore the historic Distillery District for its charming cobblestone streets and art galleries.
Stroll along the waterfront at Harbourfront Centre and enjoy concerts and cultural events.
Niagara Falls:
Witness the breathtaking beauty of Niagara Falls from various viewpoints.
Take a boat tour like the Maid of the Mist to get up close to the falls.
Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, a picturesque town known for its wineries and historic architecture.
Ottawa:
Discover the rich history of Canada at the Canadian Museum of History.
Tour the impressive Parliament Hill and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Explore Rideau Canal by renting a bike or taking a boat ride.
Algonquin Provincial Park:
Embark on a camping trip and enjoy hiking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing.
Stargaze in one of Ontario's best dark sky preserves.
Muskoka:
Relax by the lakes, go fishing, or take a scenic... Read MORE...
Toronto:
Visit the iconic CN Tower for panoramic views of the city.
Explore the historic Distillery District for its charming cobblestone streets and art galleries.
Stroll along the waterfront at Harbourfront Centre and enjoy concerts and cultural events.
Niagara Falls:
Witness the breathtaking beauty of Niagara Falls from various viewpoints.
Take a boat tour like the Maid of the Mist to get up close to the falls.
Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, a picturesque town known for its wineries and historic architecture.
Ottawa:
Discover the rich history of Canada at the Canadian Museum of History.
Tour the impressive Parliament Hill and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Explore Rideau Canal by renting a bike or taking a boat ride.
Algonquin Provincial Park:
Embark on a camping trip and enjoy hiking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing.
Stargaze in one of Ontario's best dark sky preserves.
Muskoka:
Relax by the lakes, go fishing, or take a scenic... Read MORE...
Discover MY Roots: Ontario Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Ontario, Canada
We currently have information about 262 ancestors who were born or died in Ontario.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Ancestors Who Were Married in Ontario, Canada
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Ontario.View Them Now
Genealogy Resources for Ontario
CE Anderson & Co, The Province of Ontario Gazetteer and Directory Montreal Supplement, Robertson & Cook, Toronto, 1869.Ontario, Canada, Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1802-1967
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The Province of Ontario Gazetteer and Directory: Containing Concise Descriptions of Cities, Towns and Villages in the Province...
Henry McEvoy January 1, 1869 Robertson & Cook
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