| This area of Ontario is covered by Elgin County GenWeb. The information presented below is merely an outline of the county and does not include what is available for genealogical research for this area. For information on genealogical research of this area please visit Elgin County GenWeb. |
Elgin County was established in 1852 from Middlesex County and "named for James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin."5
Settlement began in 1803 when Colonel Thomas Talbot obtained a land grant of 5,000 acres to colonize the area. His plan was to encourage British emigrants to settle in the area so as to provide the crown with loyal settlers.
He also planned and supervised the building of roads to encourage settlement and by the 1840's had settlers living in twenty-seven townships in the area.
"Population 25,818 in 1852 and 69,795 in 1980."3
Elgin County is located in South-Western Ontario.
Prior to 1852 - Middlesex County
More maps of this area
Surnames
Place Names
Books
Links
Questions & Answers
1 Lovell's Gazetteer of British North America 1873
3 Place Names of Ontario by Floreen Carter, 1984
4 Smith's Canadian Gazetteer by W.H. Smith, 1846
5 Place Names of Ontario by Alan Rayburn, 1997
