Resolving Genealogy Discrepancies in Locations

Rory asked for clarification on a location:

I am reseaching a William Hanley. According to his obituary:

 " Mr. Hanley was born on May 4th 1857 at Buffalo Wellington County Ontario son of the late Richard and Elizabeth Hanley."

 The only village I can scare up is Buffalo Heights but that is in Peel Co. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Rory,

I think rather than try to figure out what was meant by "Buffalo" you might be further ahead to search for the family in the 1851 census. Find out where they were living, then check 1861.

The census records for Canada are available on Ancestry.com

I did a little bit of research and found the following which looks like a good fit for your family:

1861 Census Ellice Twp, Perth Co. Ontario
Richard Hanley, 31, farmer born Ireland
Elizabeth, 20, born Upper Canada
William, 3 born UC
Michael, 2 born UC
Ellen, 1 born UC

The marriage record for Michael provides his mother's name as Lizzie Tracey. "Michigan, Marriages, 1868-1925," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N3NG-F72 )

The marriage of Ellen is found in 1878 Ellen Hanley, 19, born Stratford, living Peel Twp, daughter of Richard Hanley and Elizabeth Tracey married Jacob Wentz. Witness William Tracey of Peel Twp.

There is information on William found in the Boissevain and Morton Regional Library

Men of the Halifax Provisional Battalion crossing a stream
near Swift Current, Saskatchewan, 1885
https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/

Title: Hanley, William fonds. . Pages: One folder textual. . Abstract: Biographical information. Notes: Title based on content of fonds.

Information taken from W. V. Udall's files (Editor of The Boissevain Recorder) received from Beckoning Hills R Revisited book committee. William Hanley (1854-19 ) was born in Wellington County,Ontario; arrived Brandon 1882. Homesteaded in Saskatchewan on 32-3-2; participated in 1885 Riel Rebellion. Married Lucy Hallady April 19, 1892 at Moosomin, Saskatchewan; took up residence in Boissevain 1895. He was a livestock dealer. Further accruals not expected. Subjects: Riel Rebellion, 1885. Location / Call number: Click on the location field to begin an inter-library loan transaction • Boissevain and Morton Regional - MBOM ;MBOM ;MG14/C192. (-553)

This site might prove helpful to you regarding the Riel Rebellion mention. 

RED RIVER EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 1870-1877

• Appendix II contains the list of 1, 704 men of the RED RIVER EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 1870-1877.
• Appendix III contains the bounty warrants issued as a result of their service in the RED RIVER EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 1870-1877, as well as discharge date and location

1901 Census Boissevain (Village), Brandon, Manitoba
1911 Census Souris, Manitoba
1916 Census Broadway, Boissevain, Manitoba