Land Records - Quebec
Land distribution in Québec was established in 1627, based on a “seigneurial” system (similar to the European feudal system) that was used until 1854. The King granted “Seigneuries” to elites called “Seigneurs,” who were responsible for allotting concessions to tenants called “censitaires.” The granting of land then produced a notarial act - a contract that details the names of the people involved, the size and location of the land, and the obligations of the “censitaire."
In 1763, a township system was introduced to Québec, dividing land into counties and further, into townships or "municipalités de paroisses." A “land petition” is a request for land made by an applicant that includes the reasons for eligibility; for example, because the applicant was in the military. An online index with digital images of the original Lower Canada Land Petitions is available at Library and Archives Canada (see below).
In 1841, the government created registration offices, which today are called the Bureau de la Publicité des droits. For online information see at Bibliothéque et Archives Nationales du Québec (French only)
The Quebec Family History Society Family Land Grants site includes land granted by the crown in the province of Quebec from 1763 to December 31, 1890. One needs to be a member of the society in order to access this database.
Online
Alphabetical Index to the Land Grants By the Crown in the Province of Quebec from 1763 to 31st December 1890. Dunn, Robert and Hopkins, Derek. Eds. Pointe-Claire, Québec: Quebec Family History Society, 2005. 929.3714 ALP 2005
Microfilm
See our guidebook, Canadian Family History Resource for microfilm numbers:
Lower Canada Land Index and Petitions 1764-1841 section 6-1, 6-2
Quebec/Lower Canada Land Books 1787-1835 section 6-3