ROOTS-L Archives

From: Lloyd Bjork <>
Subject: Re: Canada land grants
Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 09:16:36 -0400
References: <199805270408.VAA08367@bl-30.rootsweb.com>

I can't answer all your questions but until 1763, "Canada" was known as New
France and was first used by the French as a source of raw materials...fur,
mostly. This economic base was not in favour of settlement as it would cause
settlement and competition for the fur traders. New France was conquered by the
English in 1763 and present day English Canada evolved from here.
In 1800, the main raw material changed to timber due to Napolean
blocking off England's trade route to the Scandanavian countries. By 1800
Canada's population was still only about 5 000 compared to the Thirteen
Colony's one million. The timber trade needed population.
The English were in favor of settlement so offered land grants to anyone who
would accept them. These concessions were planned in accordance with the
English Township system. In return they were required to clear the land,
raise stock and/or begin planting to become self sufficient. Some
assistance was given the first year until they were getting established.
Most of Ontario was initially occupied by the Loyalists and poor immigrants
from the British Isles who arrived after the American's got their independence
from England. In 1840 Canada West (Ontario) had 450, 000 inhabitants, by
1860 the population had exploded to 1, 400, 000.
The following may be of some help:
Ontario has been called Upper Canada and Canada West at different points in our
history.

http://www.inforamp.net/~griffish/gene/sggene1.html

In this one you could check under Ontario, Government of Canada etc.

http://www.calder.net./canada/canada.htm

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• Re: Canada land grants by Lloyd Bjork <>