SFOHG was founded in November 1980 and was the first non-profit organization to receive an Ontario Charter in French, on April 21, 1981.

The founding members were Louise Décarie-Marier, Paul-R. Marier, Patrick Savoie, Jean-Marc Poliquin, Gilles Lamoureux-Gadoury, Aurèle Hotte, Jean-Louis Sauvé et Marthe Gagnon-McDonald. Most of them formed the original Board of Directors of SFOHG in 1981.

SFOHG was officially launched on November 6, 1981 before 365 people in the Theatre of the National Archives of Canada.  Honoured patrons were:

 - Mgr Joseph-Aurèle Plourde, Archbishop of the diocese of Ottawa;
 - The Honorable Rhéal Bélisle, Senator;
 - Mr. Séraphin Marion, historian.

SFOHG’s network includes 13 regional centres located across Ontario with over 1000 members.

Management of SFOHG is ensured by a 16 members Board of Directors, a team of over 100 volunteers scattered throughout Ontario and one Director General.  SFOHG also relies on committees to manage key files.

SFOHG benefits from the financial assistance of public and "semi-public" organizations, in particular the Ministry of Culture of Ontario which on June 25, 1987 designated SFOHG a Provincial Heritage Organization (http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/culdiv/heritage/pholist.htm).

SFOHG has recently received financial assistance from the Ontario Trillium Foundation which will permit the organization to solidify its assets and restructure its network.

SFOHG is also a charity organization registered for income tax purposes.  Donations to  SFOHG, either by individuals or organizations, are tax deductible.

The Secretariat provincial is located at:

2445, St-Laurent Blvd
Pièce B 151-E
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 6C3

Telephone: (613) 729-5769
Toll free: (866) 307-9995
Facsimile:  (613) 729-2209
e-mail: sfohg@francogenealogie.com
Internet site: www.francogenealogie.com

As per its mandate, SFOHG has developed and implemented services adapted to the needs of its members, including:

• Research centres which include a multitude of publications and various historical and genealogical documents available to members.
  
• Publishing of directories, parish and cemetery records, as well as other texts drafted by members which highlight the contribution of Franco-Ontarians to the creation and development of Ontario and Canada.
  
• Organizes meetings and events to encourage information sharing between persons interested in history and genealogy.
  
• Creates links with similar organizations throughout Ontario, Canada, and internationally, to increase the quantity and quality of information available to members.
  
• Uses the latest technology to ensure that documentation is easily and widely accessible. 

Since its creation, SFOHG has collected and published a total of 70 directories of baptisms, marriages, cemeteries and tombstone records.  This is an impressive amount when one considers that the collection of data is compiled exclusively by SFOHGs volunteers.

Access our directories by visiting our on-line store.

By becoming members of SFOHG, Franco-Ontarians express pride in their heritage and a sense of attachment to their origins and heritage.

SFOHG members:

• Have access to all regional research centres and can participate in activities;
• Save on the purchase of directories;
• Receive, at no additional cost, Le Chainon, SFOHG's publication; and
• Have access to research tools reserved exclusively for members.

To become a member please contact the Regional Centre of your choice (Regional Centres home page) or join on-line.