British Colonial Era

Important notice

Resources described on this page cover the years from 1760 to 1867. All the records described below are open. Access restrictions do not apply.

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

Databases

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 (RG 8, C Series) - Introduction and index

British military and naval records (RG 8, 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 Archives Search database.

The War Office series of particular interest to genealogists are:

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 Archives 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 Archives 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 Archives 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

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.

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

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