Genealogy Program

Parish Sacramental Records on Microfilm

Preservation is one of ARCAT’s most important mandates. By microfilming all sacramental registers of parishes currently within the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Toronto, we are able to access the records safely and quickly.  Archivists will not carry out genealogical research, but copies of the microfilm are available to the public up to the year 1910.  They can be viewed at any of the Mormon Family History Centers or in our reading room, where we have two microfilm readers available by appointment only.  Early parishes within our boundaries have been outlined in the link below, which may be of  interest to genealogists.  All parishes have marriage and baptism records and some also have confirmation, first communion and death records.  Please consult the reference archivist for assistance in developing search strategies.

For sacramental record searches necessary for legal purposes (ecclesiastical or civil) please see our Services page.

Diocesan Boundaries

The Archdiocese of Toronto is comprised of Metropolitan Toronto; the Regional Municipality of York; the Regional Municipality of Peel; the County of Simcoe; the Town of Orangeville; a portion of the Regional Municipality of Durham; and a portion of the County of Dufferin. The Archdiocese of Toronto website has a map of the relevant boundaries.

Early Parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto

Additional Genealogy Resources at ARCAT

A page from St. Michael's Cathedral Baptismal Register on Microfilm, 1850