Canadian City Directories to 1899

The directories are very helpful in establishing between-census locations of individuals and their occupations. They are also useful in establishing civic addresses as a first step in land record searches as well. Ancestors who held a trade or ran a business may have placed advertisements in the directories, and the annual editions tended to include membership in various social and benevolent organizations as well as civil service lists of varying completeness. Occasional years also contain assessment roll information for property holders.

The CIHM microfiche can be found in a number of  instituions who have subscribed to the project, including many university libraries and some public libraries and archives. Sixty-six libraries in nine countries now own part or all of the CIHM Early Canadiana collection, including thirty-six Canadian institutions  To find a CIHM collection near you click here. An overview to the relevant pubications is available in the CIHM publication Genealogy and Local History to 1900

Please note that the National Library of Canada and National Archives of Canada have undertaken a trial project to scan a sample of 15 Canadian directories from the 19th Century. These directories can be searched by keyword online at www.nlc-bnc.ca/canadiandirectories/index-e.html.

Montreal City Directories 1842-1899

Ottawa City Directories 1863-1899