Hi, Depending on when the family came to Canada - the reason may be the Irish Potato Famine ?
https://www.google.ca/webhp?source=search_app&gws_rd=ssl...Many famine emigrants went initially to British North America (now Canada) because of fare structures and government regulations, but the majority subsequently settled in the United States.
You may have family information - that will help -It will take time - time -research - documentation
some expense - Registrations of Death - Long form death certificate -information depends on correct information from the informant - Obituaries - may show some family history - family connections etc . Registrations of Marriage / Long form marriage certificates - Informtion comes directly from Bride and Groom - so will be as accurate - as they wish. Will show names of both sets of parents including maiden names of the mothers -names of witnesses - religions
Birth Registrations / Long form birth certificates - early ones -may not hold much helpful information -later ones - may show how many children the mother gave birth to - how many stillbirths - how many multiples etc - Voters lists etc - School records - etc - All will help - to put together a family history -