Growing up, I was told that my great-grandmother’s family came to Canada to find work, like many of us were told about our ancestors. But the truth was far more personal—and shocking.

Once I started to become more serious with my genealogy research in my teen years, I started to uncover missing puzzle pieces that solved family mysteries. But this time, I found an entirely new mystery that revealed the true reason as to why my great-grandmother, her parents, and her sisters all immigrated to Canada. And that reason…

Researching your Canadian ancestors doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re just starting your family tree or looking for new records to explore, there are plenty of free Canadian genealogy websites that can help you discover valuable information. From census records and immigration databases, to historical newspapers and land records, these online resources provide can helpful clues about your ancestors’ lives.