British Colonial Era

• Digitized Microforms
• Databases
• British Military and Naval Records (RG8, C Series)
• War Office Records (MG13 WO) and Admiralty Records (MG12 ADM)
• The Militia
• List of the British Regiments that were at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, 13 September 1759
• Rebellions of 1837-1838
• Fenian Raids, 1866, 1870
• Published Sources
• External Links to Other Institutions

The British government stationed British Army regiments in Canada for its defense from the close of the Seven Years' War (1763) until 1871. Generally, these forces were garrisoned in fortifications such as those found in Quebec, Kingston and Halifax and could be augmented from time to time by reinforcements from Britain in response to war scares, rebellion and war itself. As well, a permanent fleet base was maintained in Halifax for the Royal Navy.

In the late 1860s, the British government decided that as colonial governments were now responsible for governing their own territory, they should also be responsible for their own defense.

By 1871, all British garrisons had been removed, either returning to Britain or sent to duty in other Imperial outposts. Their places were taken by a new Canadian Permanent Force, at first composed of only two batteries of artillery, and later expanded to include other elements such as cavalry and infantry. These were to be supplemented by militia units in emergencies.

Digitized Microforms

• British military and naval records (RG8, C Series) – Digitized documents
• British military and naval records (RG8, C Series) – Introduction and index
• War of 1812: Board of Claims for Losses, 1813-1848, RG19 E5A (Archived)
• War of 1812: Lower Canada Nominal Rolls and Paylists, RG9 1A7 (Archived)
• War of 1812: Miscellaneous Records (Archived)
• War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, RG9 1B7 (Archived)

Databases

• Carleton Papers – Book of Negroes, 1783
• Carleton Papers – Loyalists and British Soldiers, 1772-1784
• War of 1812

British Military and Naval Records (RG8 C Series)

This series covers the period from the American Revolution to the mid-1800s. It includes a wide range of documents relating to the British Army in Canada, Loyalist regiments, the War of 1812, the Canadian militia, etc. A nominal/subject card index and the actual documents have been digitized and can be viewed online. References located in the index provide a brief description of the document, date, C Series volume number and a page number.

Read the Introduction and index page to find out about the records, the index and how to use the digitized microfilm.

British military and naval records (RG8, C Series) – Introduction and index

British military and naval records (RG8, C Series) – Digitized documents

War Office Records (MG13 WO) and Admiralty Records (MG12 ADM)

British military and naval records up to and including the First World War are in the custody of the National Archives in England, formerly known as the Public Record Office (PRO), in the War Office and Admiralty series.

Library and Archives Canada has acquired copies of some of those records relating to regiments that served in Canada.

Descriptions of all the War Office records (MG13 WO) and Admiralty records (MG12 ADM) in our custody can be found in the Collection Search database.

The War Office series of particular interest to genealogists are:

• War Office 25: Registers (MG13 WO25), 1756-1878.
• War Office 42: Officers' Birth Certificates, Wills and Personal Papers (MG13 WO42), 1775-1908.
• War Office 67: Depot Description Books (MG13 WO67), 1803-1892.
• War Office 97: Royal Hospital Chelsea Soldiers' Documents (MG13 WO97), 1760-1872.
• War Office 120: Royal Hospital Chelsea Regimental Registers (MG13 WO120), 1713-1868.

Library and Archives Canada does not hold copies of the Records of Officers' Services (War Office 76).

You can search for other records relating to the British military forces in the Collection Search database using keywords such as name of an individual or a regiment, e.g. "Royal Artillery" "60th Regiment".

German Troops fought with the British army during the American Revolution.

The Militia

As in New France, all able-bodied men were required to serve in the militia to support the regular troops in the defense of the colony. There are no service files for members of the militia. Records consist of muster rolls, pay lists and registers of officers.

The records of the Department of Militia and Defence (RG9) also include muster rolls and correspondence relating to militia units and some individuals. In Collection Search, use keywords such as the name of a regiment and/or a surname. Examples: RG9 militia Addington, RG9 Terrebonne Prévost.

For other records from 1855 onwards, consult the Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia.

Library and Archives Canada holds records relating to the former British North American colonies of Upper Canada (present-day Ontario) and Lower Canada (present-day Quebec), including registers containing names of officers for Lower Canada (Quebec) and Upper Canada (Ontario) from 1808 to 1869.

• Registers of Officers, Lower Canada (Quebec), 1808-1846

  Registers	Date	Reference
  Registres d'officiers	1808	RG9 IA5, vol. 1, microfilm T-6942
  Registres d'officiers (Embodied Militia)	1812-1813	RG9 IA5, vol. 2, microfilm T-6942
  Registres d'officiers (Embodied Militia)	1812-1816	RG9 IA5, vol. 3, microfilm T-6942
  Registres d'officiers	1818	RG9 IA5, vol. 4, microfilm T-6942
  Registres d'officiers	1819	RG9 IA5, vol. 5, microfilm T-6942
  Registres d'officiers	1820	RG9 IA5, vol. 6, microfilm T-6942
  Registres d'officiers	1821	RG9 IA5, vol. 7, microfilm T-6942
  Registres d'officiers	1822	RG9 IA5, vol. 8, microfilm T-6942
  Registres d'officiers	1823	RG9 IA5, vol. 9, microfilms T-6942 and T-6943
  Registres d'officiers	1827	RG9 IA5, vol. 10, microfilm T-6943
  Registres d'officiers	1828	RG9 IA5, vol. 11, microfilm T-6943
  Registres d'officiers	1829	RG9 IA5, vol. 12, microfilm T-6943
  Registres d'officiers	1829-1830	RG9 IA5, vol. 13, microfilm T-6943
  Registres d'officiers, volume 1	1831-1846	RG9 IA5, vol. 14, microfilms T-6943 and T-6944
  Registres d'officiers, volume 2	1831-1846	RG9 IA5, vol. 15, microfilm T-6944
  Registres d'officiers, volume 1	1839-1846	RG9 IA5, vol. 16, microfilm T-6944
  Registres d'officiers, volume 2	1839-1846	RG9 IA5, vol. 17, microfilm T-6944
  Registres d'officiers	1830	RG9 IA5, vol. 18, microfilm T-6944
  Registres d'officiers	1830	RG9 IA5, vol. 19, microfilm T-6945
  Registres d'officiers (Dismissed)	1837-1839	RG9 IA5, vol. 20, microfilm T-6945

• Registers of Officers, Upper Canada (Ontario), 1824-1847 (RG9 IB5)

  Registers	Date	Reference
  Registers of Officers	1824	RG9 IB5, vol. 1, microfilm T-3488
  Registers of Officers	1825-1826	RG9 IB5, vol. 2, microfilm T-3488
  Registers of Officers	1827	RG9 IB5, vol. 3, microfilm T-3488
  Registers of Officers	1830	RG9 IB5, vol. 4, microfilm T-3488
  Registers of Officers	1832-1838	RG9 IB5, vol. 5, microfilm T-3488
  Registers of Officers	1838-1847	RG9 IB5, vol. 6, microfilm T-3488
  Registers of Officers	1838-1841	RG9 IB5, vol. 7, microfilm T-3488
  Registers of Officers	1838	RG9 IB5, vol. 8, microfilm T-3488
  Registers of Officers (Active)	1838-1840	RG9 IB5, vol. 9, microfilm T-3488
  Register of Commissions	1838-1845	RG9 IB5, vol. 10, microfilm T-3488

• Registers of Officers, United Canada (Quebec and Ontario), 1846-1869

  Subject	Date	Reference
  Commissions, Lower Canada	1847	RG9 IC6, vol. 1, microfilm T-7168
  Commissions, Lower Canada	1847	RG9 IC6, vol. 2, microfilm T-7168
  Commissions, Lower Canada	1847-1850	RG9 IC6, vol. 3, microfilm T-7168
  Register, Lower Canada	1847-1856	RG9 IC6, vol. 4, microfilm T-7168
  Register, Lower Canada	1847-1860	RG9 IC6, vol. 5, microfilm T-7168
  Register, Lower Canada	1847-1869	RG9 IC6, vol. 6, microfilms T-7168 and T-7169
  Register, Upper Canada	1851	RG9 IC6, vol. 7, microfilm T-7169
  Register, Upper Canada	1859-1861	RG9 IC6, vol. 8, microfilms T-7169 and T-7170
  Register, Upper Canada	1861-1863	RG9 IC6, vol. 9, microfilm T-7170
  Register of Commanding Officers, Lower Canada, by Military Districts	1855-1858	RG9 IC6, vol. 10, microfilm T-7171
  Register of Commanding Officers, Lower Canada	1860-1862	RG9 IC6, vol. 11, microfilm T-7171
  Register of Commanding Officers, Lower Canada	1852-1862	RG9 IC6, vol. 12, microfilm T-7171
  Register of Commanding Officers, Lower Canada	1860	RG9 IC6, vol. 13, microfilm T-7171
  Non-Service, Canada West	1863	RG9 IC6, vol. 14, microfilm T-7171
  Officers, independent units, Lower Canada	1846-1853	RG9 IC6, vol. 15, microfilm T-7171
  Officers, independent units, Lower Canada	1852-1863	RG9 IC6, vol. 16, microfilm T-7171
  Register, Canada West	1847	RG9 IC6, vol. 17, microfilm T-7171
  Register, Canada	1855-1861	RG9 IC6, vol. 18, microfilm T-7171
  Register, Canada	1858-1867	RG9 IC6, vol. 19, microfilms T-7171 and T-7172
  Register, Canada	1862-1869	RG9 IC6, vol. 20, microfilm T-7172
  Officers, Lower Canada	1845-1858	RG9 IC6, vol. 21, microfilm T-7172
  Officers, Lower Canada	1845-1858	RG9 IC6, vol. 22, microfilm T-7172
  Unattached, Upper Canada	1865	RG9 IC6, vol. 23, microfilm T-7172

• List of the British Regiments that were at the Plains of Abraham, 13 September 1759

  Regiment	Date	Reference
  15th Regiment (selections)	1760-1767	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 3228, microfilm C-9202
  22nd Regiment (selections)	1759-1760	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 3871, microfilm C-9202
  27th Regiment (selections)	1759-1760	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 4328, microfilm C-9202
  28th Regiment (selections)	1760-1766	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 4416, microfilm C-9202
  35th Regiment (selections)	1760-1761	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 4949, microfilm C-9202
  43rd Regiment (selections)	1760-1761	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 5561, microfilm C-9202
  47th Regiment (selections)	1760-1763	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 5871, microfilm C-9202
  48th Regiment (selections)	1760	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 5957, microfilm C-9202
  58th Regiment (selections)	1760	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 6710, microfilm C-9202
  3rd Battalion, 60th Regiment (selections)	1759	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 6998, microfilm C-9202
  4th Battalion, 60th Regiment (selections)	1760	War Office 12 (MG13), War Office Records: Muster Books and Paylists: General, vol. 7003, microfilm C-9202

Rebellions of 1837-1838

During the 1820s and 1830s the political situation in Upper and Lower Canada deteriorated. In each colony, groups of reformers demanded powers for the Legislative Assemblies. This lead to rebellions in 1837 and 1838 in both Upper Canada (now the province of Ontario) and Lower Canada (now the province of Quebec). Reform partisans led by Louis-Joseph Papineau in Lower Canada and William Lyon Mackenzie in Upper Canada were called “Patriots”. Thirteen Patriots were executed, and 86 others were transported to Australia. Records relating to trials, pardons and transport are indexed by name in the General Index.

Records relating to the settlements of claims for losses suffered during the rebellions of 1837 and 1838 in Upper and Lower Canada are found in the Department of Finance fonds (RG19-E-5-c and RG19-E-5-b). They are indexed by name in Collection Search. On the search screen, enter a surname and Rebellion Losses Claims. Other archival sources are described in Finding Aid 910 (available onsite only).

• List of Officers and Men Killed and Wounded during the Rebellions of 1837-1838

  Name	Reference
  ALLEN, James	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  ATKINS, John	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  BARTLETTE, Lewis	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  BEATTIE, John	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  BONA, Usta	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  BROWN, L.G.	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  BURTON, John	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  CARR, Charles	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  CHARTRAND (Private)	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  CHOUINARD, François	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  DENHAM, Thomas	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  DEVELIN, Charles	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  DURHAM, William	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  EDGEWORTH, William	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  ELKINS, Henry	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  FLOWERS, Martin	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  GIBSON, John	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  HEVENOR, John	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  KIDD, William	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  KILBORN, Alexander	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  KING, William	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  LEECH, Matthew	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  LINN, Henry	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 395
  MCALLISTER, Charles	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  MCALLUM, Daniel	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  MCCHAME (Private)	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  MCINTYRE, Robert	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  MCINTYRE, William	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  MCKECHNIE (Private)	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  MOORE, William	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  MORRISON, Robert	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  ODELL, Hiram	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  ODELL, William	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 393
  POULIOTTE, Charles	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  REILY, James	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  TAYLOR, Ralph	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 395
  TOBIN, John	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394
  VITTIE	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 395
  VOSBURG, Abraham	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 395
  VOSBURG, Abraham Jr.	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 395
  VOSBURG (Miss)	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 395
  WALKER	Public Archives Report, 1904, Appendix J, Sessional Paper 18, p. 394

• List of Regiments of the Canadian Militia during the Rebellions of 1837-1838

  Muster rolls of the Canadian militia that fought under the British Army during the Rebellions of 1837-1838 are included in the War Office 12 series. These records have been indexed by Ancestry.ca (subscription required; free access in many public libraries).

  Regiment	Date	Reference
  1st and 2nd Addington Dragoons, 1st and 2nd Addington Militia, Adelaide Express Riders, American Rifles (British), Amherst Island Militia, Amherst Artillery	1838-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3673, microfilm B-2916
  Bank Guard Detachments, Barnston Loyal Volunteers, Beauharnois Volunteer Cavalry, Beauharnois Loyal Volunteers, Belleville Independent Volunteer Company, Blairfindie Loyal Volunteers, Bond Head Independent Company	1837-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3674, microfilm B-2917
  Brantford Cavalry Troop, Brantford Light Infantry, Brantford Volunteer Guard, Brockville Dragoons, Brockville Artillery, Brockville Independent Company, Bytown Loyal Volunteers	1838-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3675, microfilm B-2976
  Camerons Volunteers, Cayerga Volunteers, Chamberly Volunteers, Chateauguay Volunteers, Chatham Volunteers, Clarenceville Volunteers, Cobourg Rifles, Cobourg Militia, Cornwall Cavalry, Cornwall Artillery, Cornwall Light Infantry, Coteau du Lac Volunteers, Cote St. George Volunteers, Cote St. Paul Volunteers	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3676, microfilm B-2977
  Dennison's Volunteers, Draper’s Volunteers, Duggans' Cavalry, Dundas Militia, Dundee Local Militia, Dunville Volunteers, Durham Militia, 2nd Durham Militia, Durham Volunteers	1832-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3677, microfilm B-2995
  Essex Cavalry, Essex Militia	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3678, microfilms B-3159 and B-3160
  Frelighsburg Volunteers, Frontier Mounted Police, Frontier Light Infantry	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3679, microfilms B-3160 and B-3161
  1st & 2nd Frontenac Dragoon, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Frontenac Militia	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3680, microfilm B-3161
  Glengarry Highlanders of Lancaster, Lochiel & Williamstown, 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Glengarry Militia	1838-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3681, microfilms B-3161 and B-3162
  Gore Cavalry, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th & 11th Gore Militia, Gore Volunteers, Grand River Volunteers, 1st Grenville Militia, 2nd Grenville Sedentary Volunteers	1837-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3682, microfilms B-3162 to B-3164
  Haldimand Volunteers, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Hastings Militia, Hatley Volunteers, Hemmingford Volunteers	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3683, microfilms B-3164 and B-3165
  Henryville Volunteers, Howard Volunteers, Huntingdon Cavalry, Huntingdon Volunteers, Huron Militia, Huron Volunteers	1837-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3684, microfilms B-3165 and B-3166
  Incorporated Dragoons	1838-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3685, microfilm B-3166
  1st Battalion Incorporated Militia	1838-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3686, microfilms B-3167 and B-3168
  1st Battalion Incorporated Militia	1841-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3687, microfilms B-3168 and B-3169
  2nd Battalion Incorporated Militia	1838-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3688, microfilm B-3169
  2nd Battalion Incorporated Militia	1841-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3689, microfilm B-3170
  3rd Battalion Incorporated Militia	1838-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3690, microfilms B-3170 and B-3171
  4th Battalion Incorporated Militia	1838-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3691, microfilms B-3171 and B-3172
  5th Battalion Incorporated Militia	1840-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3692, microfilms B-3172 and B-3173
  Incorporated Militia, 1st and 2nd Coloured Companies, Coloured Company, Indian Warriors, Ingersoll Independent Company, Jerusalem Volunteers	1837-1842	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3693, microfilms B-3173 and B-3174
  Kennebeck Rangers, Kent Militia, Kildare Militia, Kilkenny Militia, Kingston Artillery	1838-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3694, microfilm  B-3174
  3rd Lacadie, LaCole & Hemmingford Cavalry, LaChute Volunteers, LaChine Volunteers, Lake Shore Volunteers, 3rd Lanark Volunteers, Laprairie Volunteers, Leeds Cavalry, 2nd Leeds Militia, 6th Leeds Militia	1837-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3695, microfilms B-3174 and B-3175
  1st & 2nd Lenox Militia, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Lincoln Dragoons, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Lincoln Militia, Lloyd Town Militia, London Volunteers, Long Point Volunteers, Longueuil. Cavalry, Longueuil Infantry	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3696, microfilms B-3175 and B-3176
  Medorte Volunteers, Middlesex Cavalry, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Middlesex Light Infantry, Missiskoui Dragoons, Missiskoui Volunteers, Missiskoui Borderers	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3697, microfilms B-3176 and B-3177
  Montreal Cavalry	1837-1850	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3698, microfilms B-3177 to B-3179
  Montreal Artillery, Montreal Light Infantry, Montreal Rifles, Montreal Militia, Montreal Volunteers (1st, 2nd, 3rd Battalion), Moore's Volunteers	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3699, microfilms B-3179 and B-3180
  Napierville Volunteers, Naval Brigade Marines, Newmarket Volunteers, Niagara Fencibles, Niagara Volunteers, Norfolk Cavalry, 1st and 2nd Norfolk Militia	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3700, microfilm B-3180
  1st Northumberland Cavalry, 1st Northumberland Militia, 2nd (Bemish) Northumberland Militia, 3rd and 4th Northumberland Militia, Noyan Volunteers, Odelltown Volunteers, Ottawa Volunteers, Op's Volunteers, Oxford Volunteers	1837-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3701, microfilms B-3180 and B-3181
  Palmer's Volunteers, Paris Guard, Penatanguishene Volunteers, Penatanguishene Commuted Pensioners, Perth Artillery, Petite Cote Volunteers, Plympton & Sarnia Militia, Polton Volunteers, Port Hope Volunteers, Prescott Artillery, Prescott Militia, Prescott Volunteers, Prescott Reserves, Prince Edward Cavalry, Prince Edward Militia	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3702, microfilms B-3181 and B-3182
  Provisional Artillery, Provisional Marines, Provisional Militia	1837-1842	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3703, microfilm B-3182
  1838-1840, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Provisional Battalion, 4th Provisional Battalion (Glengarry High.), 5th Provisional Battalion	1837-1842	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3704, microfilms B-3182 and B-3183
  6th, 7th and 8th Provisional Battalions, 9th Provisional Battalion (Queen's Royal Borderers), 10th, 11th & 12th Provisional Battalions	1838-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3705, microfilms B-3183 to B-3185
  Quebec Cavalry, Quebec Artillery, Quebec Engineer Rifles, Quebec Light Infantry, Quebec Volunteers, Quebec Artificers	1838-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3706, microfilm B-3185
  Queen's Light Dragoons, Queen's Hussars, Queen's Lancers	1837-1850	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3707, microfilm B-3185 and B-3186
  Queen's Royal Marine Artillery, Queen's Own Regiment Incorporated Militia, Queen's Light Infantry Incorporated Militia, Queen's Volunteers	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3708, microfilms B-3186 and B-3187
  Queen's Mounted Rangers, Queen's Rangers	1837-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3709, microfilms B-3187 and B-3188
  Rawdon Volunteers, Rouville Militia, Royal Foresters Incorporated Militia, Russell Militia, Russeltown Frontier Company, Rawdon Volunteers, Rouville Militia, Royal Foresters Incorporated Militia, Russell Militia, Russeltown Frontier Company	1837-1848	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3710, microfilm B-3188
  St. Andrew's Volunteers, St. Ann's Cavalry, St. Armand Local Volunteers, St. Eustache of Scholastique Volunteers, St. George's Volunteers, St. John's or Dorchester Volunteers, St. Catharine's Volunteers, St. Thomas Cavalry, Sandwich Volunteers	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3711, microfilms B-3189 and B-3190
  Shefford Frontier Cavalry, Shefford Volunteers	1837-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3712, microfilms B-3190 and B-3191
  Sherbrooke Cavalry, Sherbrooke Militia, Sherbrooke (Eastern Township) Militia, Sherrington E. or Delery Volunteers, Sherrington W. Volunteers, Simcoe Mills	1837-1842	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3713, microfilms B-3191 and B-3192
  Sorel Cavalry, Sorel Artillery, Sorel Rifle Corps, South West River Volunteers, Staff, Stanstead Cavalry, Stanstead Volunteers, 1st & 2nd Stormont Militia, Stukley Volunteers	1837-1843	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3714, microfilms B-3192 and B-3193
  Tanneries Co. Volunteers, Three Rivers Volunteers, Toronto Volunteers, Toronto Guards, Trent Volunteers, Two Mountains Cavalry, Vaudreuil Militia, Vaudreuil Volunteers, Veteran Company, 2nd Veteran Company, Veterans Company (Harrisons)	1837-1839	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3715, microfilms B-3193 and B-3194
  Walpole Volunteers, Warwick Volunteers, Waterdown Guard, Whitby Independent Company, Whitby Independent Volunteers, Windsor Volunteers, 1st, 2nd & 3rd E. York Militia, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th W. York Militia, 1st & 2nd W. York Militia	1837-1840	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3716, microfilm B-3194
  Returns Discharges	n.d.	War Office 13 (MG13 WO13), vol. 3717, microfilms B-3195 and B-3196

Fenian Raids, 1866, 1870

Fenians were part of a more or less secret society of Irish patriots who had immigrated to the United States and whose mission was to secure, by force, Irish independence from Britain. In order to defend Canada, the Canadian government called up 14,000 volunteers for active duty. The largest battle took place in Southern Ontario during the summer of 1866 and nine Canadians were killed and 32 were wounded.

Members of British and Canadian regiments that served during the Fenian Raids were awarded the Canada General Service Medal; references can be found in our Military Medals, Honours and Awards, 1812–1969 database.

Published Sources

• British Army Pensioners Abroad, 1772-1899, by Norman Crowder. (Alphabetical index to the names of pensioners who settled in Canada.) (OCLC 32300370)
• Commissioned Officers in the Medical Services of the British Army, 1660-1960, by William Johnston.
• In Search of the "Forlorn Hope": a Comprehensive Guide to Locating British Regiments and their Records, by John M. Kitzmiller. (OCLC 20823238)
• Officers of the British forces in Canada during the War of 1812-15, by L. Homfray Irving.
• Roll of officers of the Corps of Royal Engineers: from 1660 to 1898, by R.E. Institute, edited by Richard Fielding Edwards. (AMICUS 19043932)
• Canadian veterans of the War of 1812, by Eric Jonasson. (This book relates only to veterans who were still alive in 1875.) (OCLC 9918861)
• Men of Upper Canada: militia nominal rolls, 1828-1829, by Bruce S. Elliott, Dan Walker and Fawne Stratford-Devai. (OCLC 32546961)
• Lower Canada's Militia Officers, 1812-1815, by Luc Lépine, 1996. (OCLC 141837552)
• Répertoire des officiers de milice du Bas-Canada, 1830-1848, by Denis Racine, 1986. (OCLC 19513415)
• Répertoire des officiers de milice du Bas-Canada, la milice sédentaire ou non active (1846-1868), by Denis Racine. (OCLC 19513415)
• The New Brunswick Militia: 1787-1867, by David R. Facey-Crowther. (OCLC 24247127)
• Officers and men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, 1795-1802 & Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry, 1803-1816, by Rodney T. Lee (OCLC 501387405)
• Patriotes, reformers, rebels & raiders : tracing your ancestors during the troublous times in Upper and Lower Canada, 1820-1851, by Kenneth Cox. (OCLC 881399291)

External Links to Other Institutions

Records relating to British Forces up to and including the First World War are in the custody of the National Archives in England (formerly the Public Record Office). Consult their Web site for information about their holdings and services. Use their Find a research guide to identify military records of interest to you.

• Royal Navy ratings' service records 1853-1923
• British Regiments in Canada

Some Canadians enlisted in American regiments during the Civil War (1861-1865). Those records are held at the National Archives and Records Administration.