Databases & Finding Aids

Quinte Branch has several databases and finding aids on the computers in the research library in the Quinte Family History Research Centre to assist genealogical researchers to locate specific resources in the library holdings that will further their research.

For those unable to visit our library in person, Quinte Branch volunteers can provide Research Help.

FIND-IT | CemSearch
The Dr. Brearley Collection
Library Finding Aids | OGS Databases

QUICK GUIDE TO SEARCHABLE INDEXES AND DATABASES

Search FIND-IT

Search the  Quinte Branch LIBRARY CATALOGUE 

FIND-IT – Names Index Database   
Updated January 2026, approximately 2 million names

Searchable online and accessible on the research library computers, this database is an index to more than two million names included in the hundreds of genealogies, family histories, and pedigree charts deposited in the branch library. Also included in this index are many of the published works in the collection such as cemetery transcriptions, baptism records, business and residential directories, local histories, parish register transcripts, newspapers, surrogate court wills and funeral cards. This computerized finding aid allows patrons to quickly find their ancestors in all of the branch resources, particularly those that don’t already have an associated index. Indexing of the collection is an ongoing project by volunteer members. 

CemSearch 
Updated annually, includes new cemeteries and a total of 429,126 records

Accessible on the research library computers, this database has been jointly developed and maintained by the Quinte Branch, OGS and the Lakeshore Genealogy Society in Cobourg. It currently contains 429,126 tombstone inscriptions covering 906 cemeteries in 101 townships in Central Ontario. The database is indexed by surname and maiden name (where known) making it easy to find burials in the coverage area. Contributions are by both OGS and independent societies and include many cemeteries for which published transcripts are not available. The full Monumental Inscription is included giving more information than other web-based resources and the cemetery can be browsed to look for other family members. The wide area covered by the CemSearch database makes finding the right cemetery for your ancestor in the Bay of Quinte area and Central Ontario quick and easy. CemSearch is a special genealogy computer program designed specifically for people who are “in search of their roots” in a 10 county area in south-central Ontario. It is a comprehensive compilation of thousands of burial plots in hundreds of cemeteries from an area, stretching as far north as Haliburton, east to Napanee, and West to Bowmanville. It is a work in progress, starting in the late 90’s.

The Dr. Brearley Collection
Compiled by Dr. Donald Brearley, these databases are a valuable resource. Visit the “Dr. Brearley Collection” page to download the most recent pdf file.

Physicians in the Belleville Area before 1950 Database [UPDATED]
Mayors of the City of Belleville 1850-2003 Database
Graduates of Queen’s Medical School to 1920 Database 
Graduates of the Women’s Medical College in Kingston Database 
Graduates of the Ontario Medical College for Women in Toronto Database
Nurses of World War 1 Database
Memorials-Character Sketches of Soldiers from WW1 [UPDATED]
Heroes of Batoche [UPDATED]
Druggists, Chemists and Pharmacies of Belleville [UPDATED]
Belleville Soldiers in the Boer War [NEW]Midland Battalion of Infantry, Co H in the Riel Rebellion  [NEW]Fenian Raid of 1866 [NEW]Protecting Canadian Sovereignty: Fenian Raids     [NEW]

Dr. Brearley welcomes additional information for any of these databases; he can be contacted at [email protected].

Other Databases and Finding Aids in the Research Library

• Name Index for the holdings in the Prince Edward County Archives in Wellington, Prince Edward County, compiled by members of the Prince Edward Historical Society and other community volunteers
• Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Ontario (100,000+ names), a unique index compiled by Bob Dawes for the Quinte Branch, OGS
• Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid for the Quinte area
• 1881 Canadian Census Transcription by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

OGS Indexes Online  “OGS Indexes” – Ontario Ancestors
The Ontario Genealogical Society also maintains several databases on their website to assist genealogical researchers to locate resources, many of which are located in the research library of the Quinte Branch.

TONI (The Ontario Name Index) 
TONI is a name index created with the eventual goal of indexing all the names of all the people who were ever recorded as spending time in Ontario. The index will then link a researcher to where the record(s) of a given name can be found. If the record is available through pay-per-view then the researcher will have instant access to the facts around that name.

Name Index to OGS Publications
To support the mission of the Ontario Genealogical Society to promote genealogical research, the OGS publishing division has developed an index to names contained in genealogy books published by the society. The following books are currently indexed in this database: “A Dictionary of Scottish Emigrants to Canada Before Confederation, vol.1”, “Index of Some Passengers who Emigrated to Canada Between 1817 & 1849” and “Index to the Upper Canada Land Books vol.2 – vol.9”.

OGSPI (Ontario Genealogical Society Provincial Index)
OGSPI is a hypertext library established in 1997 as a volunteer project to index an unlimited range of genealogical information on Ontario families. As of 2023, OGSPI has been folded into TONI.

Ontario Cemetery Ancestors, Ontario Cemetery Locator, PPV General Index 
Includes names taken from transcriptions of monumental inscriptions, a directory of cemeteries in Ontario, and some non-book, non-name specific items available through the OGS Pay-Per-View site.

Contact Us: [email protected]
Update Notice: March 2026
Copyright © 1980-2026 Quinte Branch of Ontario Ancestors. All rights reserved.