Patron access to clergy personnel files and parish registers
Clergy Personnel Files
Access to the personnel files for clergy is restricted for100 years from the date of death of the priest or their spouse, whichever comes last. Exceptions comprise published materials such as newspaper clippings, photographs, obituaries, Diocese of Huron news releases, etc. Files related to medical history are restricted.
Parish Registers:
Individuals requiring access to Parish Register records pertaining to themselves or behalf of an immediate family member should see the Personal Records section of the Researching the Archives page.
The V.P. Cronyn Memorial Archives follows the direction of the Archives of Ontario to provide access to Parish Registers documenting sacremental services. Due to the personal information contained in the registers, access is available to the following types of records after:
- Baptismal: 107 years
- Records from 1917 and earlier currently available
- Sunday School: 80 years
- Records from 1944 and earlier currently available
- Confirmation 60 years
- Records from 1964 and earlier currently available
- Marriage: 83 years
- Records from 1941 and earlier currently available
- Burial: 73 years
- Records from 1951 and earlier currently available
Access to sacremental records may be granted in some instances before the Parish Registers are considered open access. For genealogical use, a family member may be provided with access upon proof of relationship. If research is undertaken by a unrelated person, a letter will be required from a family member permitting access by the researcher.