Name & Boundary Changes in Ontario

Prior to December 26, 1791 Ontario was known as the Western part of the Montreal District of the Colony of Quebec.

In 1788 present-day southern Ontario was divided into four districts: Hesse, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg and Nassau

In 1791 the colony of Quebec was divided into the two provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. Upper Canada (now Ontario) was all that land lying west of the Ottawa River, while Lower Canada (now Quebec) was all the land lying east.

In 1792 the first parliament began. The four original district names were changed. Hesse became the Western District; Lunenburg became the Eastern district; Mecklenburg became the Midland district and Nassau became the Home District.

In 1842 Upper and Lower Canada united to form the Province of Canada. Upper Canada (present-day Ontario) became known as Canada West while Lower Canada (present day Quebec) became known as Canada East.

In 1867 Upper Canada, or Canada West was given the name of the province of Ontario. It was one of four original provinces at the time of Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867.

For a complete timeline for the history of Ontario see http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/can/ont/hist.shtml