Olive Tree Genealogy Blog: Heir and Devisee Commission

Showing posts with label Heir and Devisee Commission. Show all posts

June 5, 2021

Finding Ancestors in Heir & Devisee Papers 1797-1854

H 1140 Edward Strickland Image 235

Home District Land Certificates 1787 to 1795 are useful genealogy records that many genealogists overlook.

Image 215 Index to Names Image 215, 216 Home District Land Certificates 1787 to 1795. Index of Names

Certificates
These can be viewed by going to film H 1140 and selecting the image numbers shown below for each claimant

Image 217 Elias Anderson 1795
Image 218 Patrick Bern born Ireland 1795
Image 219 Eli Cahoe age 18 born Pennsylvania 1795
Image 220, 221 George Campbell 1794
Image 222 Joshua Chamberlain age 63 born USA 1795
Image 223 Joshua Chamberlain age 18 born New Hampshire 1795
Image 224 Zekiel Chamberlain age 21 born Boston 1795
Image 225 Benjamin Davis Long island New York age 46, 1795
Image 226 Abraham Devans of New York age 33 1795
Image 227 Isaac Devans of New York age 24 1795
Image 228 Levi Devans of New York age 20 1795
Image 229 Joseph Dean age 44 of Pennsylvania 1795
Image 230 Sam Herron 1794
Image 231 John McHenry Born Antrim age 39 1795
Image 232 Patrick McKee age 26 born Ireland 1795
Image 233 Jacob Phillips born New York age 25 1795
Image 234 Samuel Street 1794
Image 235 Edward Strickland born Cumberland England age 34 1795
Image 236 petition of George Braytons
Image 237 two miscellaneous names James Hennessey and Andrew Herron 1808
Image 238, 239 James Hennessey 1808
Image 240 Andrew Heron 1808
Image 241 Samuel Leatch1795
Image 242, 243 Thomas Otway Page
Image 244 Samuel Stevenson 1816

December 9, 2018

Home District Land Certificates 1787 to 1795

H 1140 Edward Strickland Image 235

I have been going through Heir & Devisee Commission Papers (Heir & Devisee Commission papers 1797-1854 digitized records to create a working corrected Finding Aid. You may view the corrected content lists at Heir & Devisee Commission

While scrolling through microfilm H 1140 in order to correct Canadiana.org's flawed content description, I came across a set of Land Certificates and other documents from individuals living in what was called the Home District. This consisted of land along Lake Ontario and the Niagara region of Ontario.

Image 217 Elias Anderson 1795
Image 218 Patrick Bern born Ireland 1795
Image 219 Eli Cahoe age 18 born Pennsylvania 1795
Image 220, 221 George Campbell 1794
Image 222 Joshua Chamberlain age 63 born USA 1795
Image 223 Joshua Chamberlain age 18 born New Hampshire 1795
Image 224 Zekiel Chamberlain age 21 born Boston 1795
Image 225 Benjamin Davis Long island New York age 46, 1795
Image 226 Abraham Devans of New York age 33 1795
Image 227 Isaac Devans of New York age 24 1795
Image 228 Levi Devans of New York age 20 1795
Image 229 Joseph Dean age 44 of Pennsylvania 1795
Image 230 Sam Herron 1794
Image 231 John McHenry Born Antrim age 39 1795
Image 232 Patrick McKee age 26 born Ireland 1795
Image 233 Jacob Phillips born New York age 25 1795
Image 234 Samuel Street 1794
Image 235 Edward Strickland born Cumberland England age 34 1795
Image 236 petition of George Braytons
Image 237 two miscellaneous names James Hennessey and Andrew Herron 1808
Image 238, 239 James Hennessey 1808
Image 240 Andrew Heron 1808
Image 241 Samuel Leatch1795
Image 242, 243 Thomas Otway Page
Image 244 Samuel Stevenson 1816

December 5, 2018

Home District Land Claims 1803 & 1804

H 1140 Image 253

Canadiana.Org has digitized 21 films of the Heir & Devisee Commission Papers (Heir & Devisee Commission papers 1797-1854, found in their Heritage Collection), and that's a good thing for genealogists. These records have valuable and informative genealogical documents.

But as mentioned in a previous blog post Heir & Devisee Commission 1797-1854 on Canadiana.org - Listing Errors and a Workaround, the index and description of what is in each film, as provided on Canadiana.org, is incorrect.

I have been going through those digitized records to create a working corrected Finding Aid. You may view the corrected content lists on Olive Tree Genealogy website at Heir & Devisee Commission

While scrolling through microfilm H 1140 in order to correct Canadiana.org's flawed content description, I came across a set of Land Certificates and other documents from individuals living in what was called the Home District. This consisted of land along Lake Ontario and the Niagara region of Ontario.

Continuing on from Home District Land Certificates 1787 to 1795 and An index to Niagara area Loyalists and their Land Certificates here is the start of my list of names of claimants for land in the Home District from 1803-1804. Each name has an image number beside it so that you can easily click through to that image to view the claims and any supporting documents.

H 1140 Image 321

Images 250–253 index to claimant names. These images have lists of names of claimants. Note that often it is the attorney's name on the index and not the petitioner or claimant. The claimants' names can be viewed in my list below. Please also note that I cannot guarantee my interpretation of the names in these documents. The writing is often difficult to read or the image is blurry.

The following images are the actual certificates, claims and other documents

Image 254, 255 claim of Robert Isaac dey Gray, 1802
Image 256 Hannah McBride widow of John
Image 257, 258 claim number five
Image 259 William Jones
Image 260 William Bowkett
Image 261 William Bokette and Sarah H----- want to marry, 1799.
Image 262 Joseph Hunt 1802
Image 263 Joseph Hunt
Image 264, 265 William Allen 1802
Image 266 John Everson
Image 267 Abner Mills
Image 268 Thomas Berry and John McBride
Image 269 Thomas Barry and Richard Lawrence
Image 270–273 Richard Lawrence
Image 274–275 Richard Beasley for the heirs of Thomas Berry
Image 276-278 Abner Mills (Miles?) 1803
Image 279 – 284 David Saban of Whitchurch and Abner Mills or Miles I
Image 235 Joachim Luran of Markham 1804
Image 286 Daniel Herrick of Markham and Harry McClary
Image 287 William Cooper 1803
Image 288 Isaac Davis 1801
Image 289–291 Thomas Hamilton 1803
Image 292–294 William Allen and Isaac Horton
Image 295 --- Tiffany of Ancastor 1803
Image 296 George Purvis
Image 297 Aime Michel Fortier 1803
Image 298 George Purvis
Image 299–300 John Reiley
Image 301 William Weikes 1803
Image 302 William Emery
Image 303 Christian Horning of Markham 1803
Image 304–305 William Weeks
Image 306–307 Isaac Hollingshead 1802
Image 308–309 Deed of Benjamin Hale and Elizabeth Murray to Isaac Todd 1804
Image 310–313 the late Duncan Murray, Lieutenant in 34th Regiment, Lincoln County
Image 314 Isaac Todd of Montréal and Elizabeth Murray
Image 315–319 Jean Baptiste Rousseau of Ancastor, Estate and inheritance, 1803
Image 320 Duncan Cameron 1803
Image 321–322 Elizabeth Murray daughter of the late Duncan Murray & sister of deceased John Murray, Isabella Murray widow of Duncan Murray, Isaac Todd, Joseph Edwards
Image 323 Elizabeth Murray
Image 324 Richard Ferguson of Vaughan Township
Image 325 William Weeks, Daniel Laughlin
Image 326 James Crane, 1803
Image 327–332 Daniel Laughlin
Image 333 Patrick Boon or Bern of Markham, Wheelwright, 1804
Image 334–336 William Weeks
Image 337–338 Jean Baptiste Bouchette to William Church
Image 339 William Chewitt 1804
Image 340 Peter McGregor 1803
Image 341 James McGregor of Markham

February 13, 2018

How to Find Ancestors in Upper Canada (Ontario) Land Records

Recently Olive Tree Genealogy received an intriguing email query from Jennifer.

I have tried on my own to access deed/land record information on an ancestor.William Lamoure bought Thomas Talbot land on a contract in 1804. He received the deed in 1826....I have those records. What I am searching for is when he sold it....what year and to whom??? He was in London Township. I believe that he sold his land and moved to Michigan....but I have NO record proof. I hired a researcher previously and they found nothing.

Lorine's Answer: I don't always undertake research when I receive such a query; instead I often offer suggestions as to where the genealogist could look next. But in this case, due to my interest in Ontario land records, the question intrigued me. I am pleased to say I found what Jennifer wanted in less than an hour. Because I think my process may help others searching for such records, I'm outlining my steps here.

Step One: I first searched the online Upper Canada Land Petitions at LAC (Library and Archives Canada) to find out exactly where William's land was. I also sent Jennifer an email asking her for the Concession and Lot if she knew it. Meantime I found William's petition in the online index. This gave me the Volume, Bundle, Petition Number, and Film Number I needed: 240A, L14, Petition 156 on film C 2128.

For more details on searching the UCLP (Upper Canada Land Petitions) see my article Searching Ontario Canada Land Records, eh?

Step Two: Next I went to the online digitized microfilm, also at LAC (Library and Archives Canada), searched for C 2128 and opened it. It didn't take long to find the section of film needed (Images 731-734 if anyone wants to see the petition) The envelope of the petition provided the detail I needed. William was granted land on Concession B, Lot 6, London Township. The date it was granted was July 1826. I also noted the Land Book Reference from the envelope so I could check there too. That was recorded as Land Book "M" page 650.

For help with understanding what is on these Upper Canada Land Petitions, see my article Understanding Notations on the Envelope of an Upper Canada Land Petition

Step Three: To search for the Land Book Reference I needed to find out what film held July 1826. So I went to the online conversion table at Heritage Canadiana and saw that I needed to consult film C-104. The films are online and it was then a matter of scrolling through to July 1826. William was found on image 424. The record did not reveal much more than was already in the petition but it is always a good idea to check there too just in case.

C-104 Land Book "M"

For more help with finding a record in the Upper Canada Land Books see Finding an Ancestor in the Challenging Upper Canada Land Books

Step Four: Next I went to the onine OnLand.com site to search the Abstract Indexes to Deeds. This set of records provides the names of all owners of every piece of Crown Land in Ontario. So finding the abstracts for Lot 6, Concession B in London Township should provide me with dates and details of William obtaining the land in 1826 and when he left it. It was a bit of work to figure out what Book I needed but I did find it (MIDDLESEX COUNTY (33), LONDON, Book 3. ABSTRACT INDEX 1 UP TO 1866; CONCESSION A, B, C; CONCESSION 1 TO 2; PAGE 1 TO 114). I scrolled through many pages of other books before figuring out it was in this specific book.

Learn how to use the information in the Abstract Indexes to Deeds at The Overlooked Abstract Indexes to Deeds - a Useful Genealogy Research Tool

William is noted a few times over the years 1826 to 1849. The last entry is November 1849 so we might assume he left the area that year. Obtaining each of the instruments for each transaction will provide details that may give further clues. The instrument numbers are noted with each transaction. For those interested, the images for William are 31 and 32. It seems this was a 2-sided ledger so look at the left side on one image and the right side on the next.

Other Places to Search

CLRI

I also had a look in the CLRI (Ontario Land Record Index) which is an alphabetical listing of first time land owners of Crown land. William was found as William Lamoure of London Township obtaining Lot 6, Concession ID under Date ID of 8 which is an OIC (Order in Council). It was a Free Grant but he paid Full Fees. The Archival Reference is RG01 Series C13 Volume 033 page 046. It is not likely that much more would be found using the Archival Reference.

Other places one might search are:

Township Papers

Township Papers deal mostly with the original locatees, but may contain other pre-patent records. These are miscellaneous land-related records, arranged by township name, then by concession and lot or by town name and lot number.These are available on microfilm. See Archives of Ontario.

Heir & Devisee Commission Records

The first Heir and Devisee Commission heard claims to land made by original nominees, their heirs devisees or assignees, the second Commission was confined to claims made solely by heirs, devisees or assignees.

The First Heir and Devisee records are available on microfilm and have been digitized and placed online at Canadiana.org

*Note: Researches are advised to consult my corrected Finding Aid for the First Heir and Devisee records at Peristence Pays Off: My Finding Aid is linked to from Library and Archives Canada

The Second Heir and Devisee records can be searched online at Archives of Ontario. Their database consists of an index to 5184 case files

As I explained to Jennifer, I no longer accept payment for research projects. If a query appeals to me, I do the work pro bono. I was happy to do this for Jennifer but I mentioned that if someone I have assisted is happy with the results they might consider buying me a cup of coffee (if they choose to) by using this link PayPal.Me/OliveTreeGenealogy

She very kindly bought me several cups of coffee and I appreciate it!

December 7, 2017

Peristence Pays Off: My Finding Aid is linked to from Library and Archives Canada

Followers of Olive Tree Genealogy blog may recall that I have written several posts, beginning in August 2013, about the mis-labelled Heir and Devisee Commission Papers available on Canadiana.org

Example from HD 1144 Christian Bradt

While searching for my ancestors I discovered that of the 21 digitized microfilms, 10 are incorrectly identified as to volume numbers and content contained. To assist other genealogists and researchers, I am began methodically going through the images to identify what each film contained.

Thus I created a Finding Aid with correctly identified contents of each microfilm and published it on my website. I wrote to Canadiana.org many times over the course of 3 years offering the Finding Aid to them but when I finally got an answer my offer was refused.

This year I was able to speak directly to Mr. Guy Berthiaume the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, on the Dec. 4 Twitter chat: Ask the Librarian and Archivist of Canada your questions, 11:30AM-1PM (EST). AskTheLAC

My question was in four parts since Twitter only allows 480 character tweets. I explained what my Finding Aid was, and my last tweet had my question for Mr. Berthiaume:

"My Q is:Will you look at my Finding Aid for those 10 incorrect films & speak to me about correcting the online content descriptions?"

He did. Then Library and Archives Canada contacted me, and today I am pleased to announce that a link to my Finding Aid for the Heir and Devisee Commission films H-1133 to H-1153 is linked to on Library and Archives Canada.

Huge thanks goes to Mr. Berthiaume for taking time to look into these issues! Now researchers will have updated and correct information on the content of each of these digitized films.

December 21, 2016

Canadiana.org's Failure to Correct Mistakes

Of the 21 microfilms on Canadiana.org, 10 are incorrectly identified as to volume numbers and content contained.

I have been slowly going through each film and noting the correct contents in detail. My first set of detailed listings of the contents of film H1133 can be viewed at No Response from Canadiana.org so here are the Heir & Devisee Commission Film Details

It has been three (3) years since I wrote to Canadiana.org (more than once) offering my list of corrections for their website and the one brief response I received was from whoever monitors their Twitter account - that response was simply that they would pass my message on. It is extremely disappointing to realize that Canadiana.org simply doesn't care about serious errors on their website - errors which affect researchers.

A complete and correct list of contents of film H1135 can be found on Olive Tree Genealogy website at Finding Aid for Heir & Devisee Commission Online Films

May 15, 2015

Corrected List of Contents on Heir & Devisee Commission H1140

A complete and correct list of contents of film H1135 can be found on Olive Tree Genealogy website at Finding Aid for Heir & Devisee Commission Online Films

H1140 Image 160

Here is a corrected list of contents for film H 1140

Does not contain what Canadiana.org has listed Image 24 V 38 1804 Commissioners Reports. I have not completed this film but here is the corrected list of contents from Image 14 to Image 431:

14 starts the documents 9 June 1809 survey report
15 to 19 List of claimants. Markham, York, Whitchurch, East Gwillumbury. Plus details
20 Home District May 1804 survey generalâ€™s report
24 minutes and reports to the executive Council volume 38 home district 1804
25-27 list of claimants and details of claim 13 June 1804
29-38 list of claimants and details of claim July 1804
40-42 ditto
44 ditto
49-61 ditto
62-93 1803 and four
97-105 miscellaneous documents volume 39 home district 1816; 1821 to 1823 claimants
106 notices with names and details 1812
108-111 documents dated 1818
112-114 documents dated 1817
115-119 1821-1823
120-121 large legal document
122 Detroit 1787 petition of Jacob Arnes
123 certificate re Daniel A----- dated 1797
124 Malcolm Tulley 1802 land title search
128 volume 40 Orders in Council 1797 - 1802 home district
129 Conrad Hotrum Niagara October 1800 also Thomas Paige, Thomas Dickson and David Heron
130 names and locations, 1803
132-134 claims 1803
135 claims 1804
140-142 Gen. Benedict Arnold of the city of London England deceased and his widow Margaret also Sarah Fitch and Ann Fitch of Devonshire
143-144 Eastern District claims 1799 heard in 1804
145 claims Markham and Pickering
146-147 claims Markham 1804
148â€“154 claims home district 1804
158 volume 41 location certificates alphabetical for home district
159 Nassau District land certificates 1-15 1790 â€“ 1792
160 List of names Nassau District Land Certificates
161â€“ 211 land certificates for each person listed. Please see complete list of names and image numbers for their Land Certificates at An index to Niagara area Loyalists and their Land Certificates
215-216 Home District land certificates 1 â€“ 17, 1787 â€“ 1795. List of names. Note that I will be adding the complete list of names and image numbers
415â€“ 416 Peter Robinson son of the late Christopher Robinson
417 Solomon Ball, Pickering 1803
418-419 Peter Robinson
420 Angus McDonald of York
421-424 Basil Rossiton of Elizabethtown, Samuel Heron of York
425 George Cutter of town of York, Shoemaker. Basil Rossiton
426 Duncan Cameron
427 John Schmeltzer of Markham
428 John Nicholas Steffens Markham Township
429-430 John Daniel Frederick Bush of Kingston in Frontenac County in Midland District baker, brother to delete John Christian William Bush of the town of York
431 Birth Certificate written in German for Johann Christian Wilhelm 1767. There are other names and the year 1773 and a name Johann Daniel Friedrich but I cannot translate the rest

July 15, 2014

Index of Claimants Found in Commissioners Reports 1836-1845 Ontario

A complete and correct list of contents of many of the films can be found on Olive Tree Genealogy website at Finding Aid for Heir & Devisee Commission Online Films

As I continue in my corrections, I happened upon this wonderful index of names for Commissioners Reports 1836-1845 on film H1151. The Canadiana.org description stating that H1151 contains V. 90-98 is incorrect. This film contains V. 86-89 Below is the index for Names A-C for Volume 86 of microfilm H1151 Heir & Devisee Commission. You may save these images to your computer then enlarge them in your graphic program to read. There are 32 pages of names total and I will continue publishing them here on Olive Tree Genealogy blog.

Volume 86 consists of Commissioners Reports 1836-1845 on images 49-319. Using the index below, you see that Robert Brown is indexed as page 168. We can then go directly to the Heir & Devisee Commission online microfilm and hunt for this page in order to view Robert's claim.

Robert Brown's name mentioned on page 168

....to be continued

June 27, 2014

Faulty Content List for Home District Land Claims 1803 & 1804 - Corrections Part 3

HD 1140 Image 403 WAIT

While scrolling through microfilm H 1140 in order to correct Canadiana.org's flawed content description, I came across a set of Land Certificates and other documents from individuals living in what was called the Home District. This consisted of land along Lake Ontario and the Niagara region of Ontario.

Continuing on from Home District Land Certificates 1787 to 1795 and An index to Niagara area Loyalists and their Land Certificates here is the second set of my list of names of claimants for land in the Home District from 1803-1804. Each name has an image number beside it so that you can easily click through to that image to view the claims and any supporting documents. The start of these names can be viewed at Home District Land Claims 1803 & 1804 - Corrections to Canadiana.org Faulty Content List

The following images from film H 1140 are the actual certificates, claims and other documents

HD 1140 Image 431

Image 399 Thomas Humbertstone, York Township
Image 400 Samuel wait
image 401 Jonathan Wait
Image 402 Elisha Annot?
Image 403 Jeremiah Wait, Hannah Wait in Bennington County Vermont Re Samuel Wait of New York is deceased. Re Jonathan Wait of New York is our son and brother of Samuel who was not married
Image 405– 406 Reunben Wait, Bastard Twp, Leeds Co. & Thomas Humberstone, Samuel Wait
Image 407-408 Thomas Humberstone, Jacob Fisher the elder, of Vaughan, Eve Fisher, Elisabeth Fisher, Catherine Fisher daughter of John Fisher, deceased
Image 409 Jacob Fisher the elder, administrator of John Fisher deceased, son and daughters of John Fisher deceased - Jacob, Eve, Catherine, Elisabeth
Image 410-411 Elijah Husen York Twp
Image 412 William Hollinshead, money paid. Abraham Johnson Power of Attorney. Signed Elijah Husen. Home District Land Claims 1803 & 1804
Image 413-414 ditto. 1803
Image 415-416 Peter Robinson son of Christopher Robinson, deceased
Image 417 Solomon Ball, Pickering
Image 418-419 Peter Robinson son of Christopher Robinson deceased
Image 420 Angus Martendale of York
Image 421-424 Indenture Basil Rorrison? of Elizabethtown and Samuel Heron
Image 425 George Cutter of York, shoemaker
Image 426 Duncan Cameron of York, merchant
Image 427 John Schmeltzer of Markham in York County
Image 428 John Nicholas Steffens of Markham
Image 429-430 John Daniel Frederick Bush of Kingston in Frontenac County
Image 431-432 birth certificate in German for sons of Joachim Willem Busch and Christina Elisabeth Rusahen? . Sons are named as Johann Christian Wilhelm (1767), Johann Daniel Frederick (1773)
Image 433 John Daniel Frederick Bush of Kingston in Frontenac County
Image 434 Hugh McPhie of York, tailor
Image 435 John Everson, earlier claim dated 1797
Image 436 John Cameron of York
Image 437 James Roger of Whitchurch
Image 438-439 John Hendrick of York

June 14, 2014

Home District Land Claims 1803 & 1804 - Corrections to Canadiana.org Faulty Content List Part 2

HD 1140 Image 392

HD 1140 Image 396

Continuing on from Home District Land Certificates 1787 to 1795 and An index to Niagara area Loyalists and their Land Certificates here is the second set of my list of names of claimants for land in the Home District from 1803-1804. Each name has an image number beside it so that you can easily click through to that image to view the claims and any supporting documents. The start of these names can be viewed at Home District Land Claims 1803 & 1804 - Corrections to Canadiana.org Faulty Content List

Images 250–253 is the index to claimant names. These images have lists of names of claimants. Note that often it is the attorney's name on the index and not the petitioner or claimant. The claimants' names can be viewed in my list below. Please also note that I cannot guarantee my interpretation of the names in these documents. The writing is often difficult to read or the image is blurry.

The following images are the actual certificates, claims and other documents

Image 342-344 James Clark, Niagara Town, William Cooper
Image 345 William Cooper
Image 346 Isaac Dey Gray, York
Image 347-348 John Haacke, Markham
Image 349 William Hollingshead 1803
Image 350-352 Michael Herts/Kerts/Kock, Vaughan Township
Image 353 Andrew Sabine? Whitchurch
Image 354-358 George Lubick of Markham, Henry Femmerfelt, Anna Margaretha Dingel nee Tinem named as mother-in-law of George Lubick, Heinrich Fummerfelt 1804, Anna Margaretha Dingel of Markham, George Labick
Image 359 Miscellaneous letter
Image 360 James Macaulay, York Twp 1802
Image 361 Sophia Temple nee Kahman of Markham, 1804
Image 362 Ann Hahman, late Ann Tempel wife of John Henry Kahman of York Town
Image 363-372 William Gillespie, Elisha Dextor, Abraham Orr
Image 373-379 John Peter Ernest of Markham 1803
Image 380 John Rum-h-
Image 381 Eli Kayter
Image 382 Parshall Terry, York twp
Image 383-385 Peter Miller, York Twp
Image 386 John Henry Bulger of Markham, Peter Miller
Image387 Michael? Walker, Addington Midland District
Image 388 Michael Grass
Image 389-390 William Walker, U.E.
Image 391-392 William Walker, George ___ Stuart
Image 393-394 John Perry? Addington
Image 395 John Perry, Pickering Twp, 1803
Image 396-397 Peter Robinson 1803
Image 398 Christopher Robinson, Peter Robinson

May 21, 2014

Home District Land Claims 1803 & 1804 - Corrections to Canadiana.org Faulty Content List