Where did our Ancestors do their Banking?

Did you ever think of where your ancestors did their banking?

I know that my 3rd great uncles in New Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland did their banking at the North Scotland Banking Company.  In the Aberdeen Journal of February 19, 1879 there published a "Return of Persons of whom the Company or Partnership exists.." and it listed their name, address and occupation. So I know I have the right guys!  My Bruce ancestors lived at Knaven, New Deer.

Alexander had died intestate in 1877 and his brother Robert, as oldest brother, was named the executor of his estate, including his accounts at the bank. Their brother Joseph was a cattle dealer and also did his banking with the North Scotland Banking Company.

Look for annual reports where some banks provide a list of shareholders, and at the very least a list of officers and directors.

Return from each Saving Bank UK 1905, pg 61 /mark 62

The Metropolitan Bank Note Reporter and Bank Register has images of American gold and silver coins and a description of the notes issued by each bank.  Near the back is a section of closed banks as well as Canadian banks with the warning "Refuse the notes of all the banks not quoted here!"

Metropolitan Bank Note Reporter 1863, pg 35 

Relevant Links

Report of the Directors of the Colonial Bank of Australasia,1893

The Bank for Savings in the City of New-York – officers, employees, trustees, etc

The Government Savings Bank of New South Wales 1918-1923 w/roll of honour 

Bowery Savings Bank, in the City of New-York

Report of the Massachusetts Bank Commissioners

Report of Connecticut Office of Bank Commissioner

Annual report of the loan and building associations of Wisconsin

Metropolitan Bank Note Reporter and Bank Register (Periodical) 

Underwood's Bank Reporter (has names of bank managers and closed banks)

Return from each Savings Bank in England and Wales,Scotland, Ireland, and the Channel Islands, for 1905

Same for 1900

Same for 1906

Report of the Canadian Bank of Commerce

Annual Report of the Royal Bank of Canada 1907 w/list of shareholders

Report of the directors to the shareholders of the Quebec Bank, 1872

Related Post:  Building and Loan Societies

Canada 150 - Shareholders of Chartered Banks of Canada

During our country's 150th anniversary celebration of confederation I will write posts titled Canada 150 with a link to a publication or website I find that may help you tell the story of your Canadian ancestors.
Click on the Canada 150 label on the right or at the bottom to see all the posts.

Today I have for you...

Shareholders of Chartered Banks of the Dominion of Canada

Under each bank is listed the shareholders, with city of residence, number of shares, and amount paid. There may also be estate accounts, which are held until probate is finished and the money can be distributed to the heirs.

When it states a person is trustee for another person, it is probably until the person reaches a certain age.  When it states a person is trustee usufructuary, that means the trustee can use the produce or income from property or asset for a specified time.

The oldest bank in Canada, with bank number 001, is the Bank of Montreal, which opened for business 3 November 1817. Until the Bank of Canada was established in 1934 banks issued their own bank notes. There is a list of early banks here, some of which closed in a few years or may have been taken over by another bank.



Relevant Links


Shareholders in the Chartered Banks of the Dominion of Canada 1875-1895

Shareholders in the Chartered Banks of the Dominion of Canada 1900-1915 (1902 wrong)

Building and Loan Societies

A lot of my savings were put into mortgage GIC's.  So if you took out a mortgage from my bank, you could be using my money.  You're welcome.

A Building and Loan Society promoted home ownership through residential mortgages. The first known society was established in Birmingham, England in 1775. Since then many building and loan societies throughout the world have been established to help people build a home.

Big cities likely had more than one building society. Different countries have other names and you can search using them as keywords.

"Building Societies (as known in Great Britain) : Building and Loan Associations, Co-operative Banks and Homestead Associations (as known in the United States) : Housing Companies (as known in parts of Continental Europe) : Starr-Bowkett Societies (as known in Australia and New Zealand) : and kindred associations throughout the World"

Relevant Links

The second convention of the International Congress of Building Societies  : held at the Inside Inn, Exposition Grounds, San Francisco, California, July 30th, 1915

Kingston Permanent Building Society, 1852

The Dominion Building Society of Montreal, 1876 (w/shareholders)

The St Catherines Building Society 1847

The Quebec Building Society 1849

Sociétéde Construction Canadienne de Montréal, 1857

Société de construction permanente de Québec, 1891 (w/shareholders)

The Freehold Permanent Building and Savings' Society,Toronto, 1859

Loan Application of Hiram Burton Loughren, Toronto 1870

St. James Building Society, 1875

The Provincial Building Society of NB, 1886

Société de Construction de la Puissance, Montreal, 1876 (w/shareholders)

The Hamilton Provident and Loan Society, Ontario, 1880

Société de Construction Mutuelle, Quebec 1876 (w/shareholders)

Annual report ... loan and building associations of Wisconsin, 1897+