Of course the fastest way to start putting together a family history is to contact your living relatives and compile all the basic name-and-date information you likely have spread amongst you. But what then? How do you go beyond names and dates, or fill in the missing pieces? Depending on how much you already know, how far into the past you want to explore, how detailed you'd like to get, and what you'd like to eventually do with the genealogical information you collect, there are a number of paths your family research could take.
You can begin to get a feel for the shape and scope of your research with a visit to About.com: Genealogy, which has a wealth of information for novices and more experienced genealogists alike. This will help you decide if you need to take a class, find an organization, or are ready to jump right in to the genealogy resources available.
Genealogy Classes in Toronto
Ranging from introductory workshops of just a few hours to highly-specialized courses, there are genealogy classes available in Toronto to suit every level and interest. Many are only scheduled sporadically though, so don't wait too long to register when you find an upcoming session that's right for you.- Ontario Genealogical Society - Toronto Branch
The Toronto Branch of the OGS holds a variety of reasonably-priced workshops and courses throughout the year. They have classes aimed at everyone from beginners to expert researchers. - North York Central Library
The North York Branch of the Toronto Public Library regularly has genealogy workshops scheduled. Many of these are the above-mentioned OGS courses (which use the library as their primary location), but there are also programs from other organizations and specific workshops about using library resources. - National Institute for Genealogical Studies
Connected to the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information Studies Professional Learning Centre, these courses are actually run online. This allows anyone to study genealogical research techniques from home. You can take individual courses casually, or study towards a certificate.
Genealogy Resources in Toronto
If you're got a handle on how to look for information and some of your family history is here in Ontario, you've got a lot of resources on hand right here in the city. There are also some records available from across Canada and other parts of the world.- Toronto Public Library Special Collections - Local History and Genealogy
The Toronto Public Library has a wealth of information on the local history of Toronto plus the development of Canada. In the genealogy collections you'll even find sources relating to Great Britain, Ireland, and parts of the United States. - City of Toronto Archives
Begin on the website to learn how the archives work, see lists of their holdings, and get tips on how to research certain questions. You can then pay a visit to the archives on Spadina Road, north of Dupont. - Ontario Genealogical Society - Toronto Branch
Visit the website for links directing you to the best resources, or if you're not confident in your own abilities consider using the research services that are available. - Ontario Genealogical Society
The main OGS website can help can you started on finding census, religious and municipal records, cemetery indexes and more that are outside Toronto but within Ontario. You can also find links to other branches that may be able to help you in a more localized Ontario search. - The Archives of Ontario
If part of your family's history took place in Ontario, take a look at the provincial archive. Start online to learn about what records are available and how you can access them in person (the Archives of Ontario are conveniently located near Bay and College on Grenville Street). Don't miss the section of the website specifically dedicated to Genealogical Research at the Archives of Ontario. - Canadian Genealogy Centre
If part of your family history continues outside Ontario but still within Canada, the Canadian Genealogy Centre is a great online resource. Unfortunately the physical records are located in Ottawa, but some resources can be sent to different parts of the country through inter-library loans.
