New Saskatchewan records on Ancestry.ca

Ancestry.ca has made a significant addition to its collection, four index databases for Saskatchewan sourced from the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society (SGS).
Until now Saskatchewan data has been rather lacking on Ancestry. While there were census records the only additional database has been an index to 39,807 deaths for 1889-1916 scraped from the Saskatchewan eHealth website for genealogy which also has an index search for births more than 100 years ago. More data is being added by eHealth so that eventually deaths more than 70 years ago and marriages more than 75 years ago will be in the online index.

The largest new Ancestry database, 2,948,437 entries, is the Residents Index (SRI), 1800-2012. For perspective, the current population of the province approaches 1.1 million. The (SGS) database is a collection of names found in cemeteries, local history books, Cummins Maps (landowner maps held at the Saskatchewan Archives Board), voter lists, and other books that list Saskatchewan residents. Being an index the information is sparse, a name. year and place and sometimes, in lieu of sources, a description is which may just be "family information" or "casual mention". Lacking anything else these index entries may nevertheless provide useful leads.

Saskatchewan, Canada, Burial Index, 1802-2011, with 274,801 entries from more than 299 rural municipalities is the next largest. The index provides name, death year and burial city. There are few entries for the 19th century, the population was low. After 1910 there are typically 2,000 to 3,000 entries per year with a peak 4,365 in the influenza year of 1918.

Saskatchewan, Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Obituary Index, 1933–1989, with 4,230 entries.The index provides name, regimental number, and rank and indicates the volume and issue number of the Quarterly where you can find the obituary.

Saskatchewan, Canada, Gazette Changes of Name, 1917-1950 with 2, 791 entries gives new name, original name and location.