Canada, Nominal Rolls and Paylists for the Volunteer Militia, 1857-1922

This is a collection of acquittance rolls and paylists for the Canadian Volunteer Militia between 1857 and 1922. The acquittance rolls were an earlier form of the paylists, while both document members of the Militia who were required to drill once per year for a specified number of days that over time ranged from 10 to 16 days per year. All members who turned out to drill received a per diem allowance as recorded on the acquittance rolls and paylists. The lists were signed off by the Officer Commanding the unit, authorized by the Adjutant General and submitted for payment to Militia and Defence headquarters in Ottawa. Claims for Marching Allowance are not indexed in the collection, but are included when browsing the forms.

The Volunteer Militia was very popular amongst Canadian males, especially in the 19th century; for many young men, it was the thing to do. Being an active member of the Militia in the 1890s and the early years of the 1900s, would have been excellent training for those who volunteered to serve with the CEF when the First World War broke out in 1914.

These records are arranged by company within the battalion or regiment, are indexed by year and include the following information:

• Name
• Rank
• Number of days of drill
• Rate of pay
• Total amount paid
• Any pay received for the use of a horse by the company
• Signature

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