Local History and Genealogy

What We Have

Kawartha Lakes Public Library has a collection of local history and genealogical material. The full collection is housed and made available to the public in Lindsay by Reference Services staff and all branches have locally-related and general reference materials. Some of the materials we have include:

clipping files on various subjects and local organizations
copies of historical photographs
directories
family histories
historical atlases and yearbooks
local history books
local newspapers
maps

Visit our research requests and fees page to fill out the research request form.

Some materials housed in the Reference Department or Archives can be made available for viewing at your local branch. Please contact your library branch or the Reference Department directly for assistance.

#throwbackthursday (Local History on Facebook and Instagram)

On Thursdays, the Kawartha Lakes Public Library shares with you a new story from our local history! Check out a selection of our Facebook posts or view them on Instagram.

In-Library Archive Collections

The Public Library Archives are available for viewing at the Reference Department on the second floor of the Lindsay Branch.

Please check out our complete archive listing to see if we have the information you're seeking!

Digital Archive

A small portion of our collection can be accessed from home. Online you can find:

directories (for Lindsay, Victoria County and Ontario)
early local newspapers
general digitized materials (photographs, postcards, and military clippings)

Donations to the Archives

Do you have old photographs? Have you documented your family's history in the area? Is there a box of mementos in your attic or basement that you are not sure about? Are you part of a current or former community group or club wanting to save and share your history?

If you or your family live in or have lived in the City of Kawartha Lakes or your community group or club is based in the City of Kawartha Lakes, we would love to add your bits and pieces of history to our Community Archives!

Please review our Local History and Archives policy or contact Reference Services to discuss what you want to donate or bring it with you on a visit to the library and speak with Reference staff.

Free Photo Scanning

Old photos shown with information about Library's photo scanning service

We have a photo scanner!

Stop by the Reference Department to use our Epson V550 Photo Scanner for free with a donation of digital copies of your choice from your scanned photographs.

Don't have any Kawartha Lakes photos? You are still welcome to use the scanner!

Scanner can make digital copies of photos from:

Print photographs
35mm slides
Negative strips

We are looking for any and all photos that include scenery, places or people who live or have lived in the City of Kawartha Lakes to add to our Photo Library Archives collection!

Preserve your memories today and help us remember yesterday!

Advanced bookings preferred, but drop-ins are welcome. Contact the Reference Department to make a booking.

Ancestry.com and other Online Family History Resources

Check out some of our online tools that you can use from home! Access to some will require your library card.

Note: Some resources must be used in the library.

Ancestry Library Edition

Access Ancestry Library Edition to help you with your family research. You will find:

census collections from around the world
military records
vital statistics

Ancestry is only available to use in the library. Temporary access from home was discontinued by Ancestry as of December 31, 2021.

CemSearch

Visit the CemSearch website for cemetery transcriptions in a 10 county area in south-central Ontario.

FamilySearch

Access FamilySearch to begin your exploration into your family's history. Find vital statistics, census records, and more!

Kawartha Lakes Public Library is proud to be an Affiliate Library of FamilySearch where we are able to provide greater access to FamilySearch when this resource is used in-library.

Access FamilySearch to begin your exploration into your family's history. Find vital statistics, census records, and more!

Kawartha Lakes Public Library is proud to be an Affiliate Library of FamilySearch, a genealogy resource run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are able to provide greater access to FamilySearch when this resource is used in-library.

Access FamilySearch to begin your exploration into your family's history. Find vital statistics, census records, and more!

Kawartha Lakes Public Library is proud to be an Affiliate Library of FamilySearch where we are able to provide greater access to FamilySearch when this resource is used in-library.

Find My Past

Access Findmypast to help you with your family research in the United Kingdom. You will find:

census collections
military records
parish records
vital statistics

You can only use this resource in the library. Only 1 user at a time.

Genealogy Connect

Access Genealogy Connect by Gale and find historical records detailing the colonial immigration period.

You will need your library card to access this resource.

Obituary Daily Times Index

Access the free-to-use Obituary Daily Times Index to search obituaries from Canada, the USA, and countries around the world.

Supported by Ancestry, this database began in 1995 and continues to the present with the help of dedicated volunteers.

ObitTree

Access the free-to-use ObitTree to search for obituaries listed in the National Obituary Registry and browse a virtual hub of all things death care.

Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid

The Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid is a pointer database consisting of the surnames, cemetery name and location of over 3 Million interments from several thousand cemeteries, cairns, memorials, and cenotaphs in Ontario Canada.

Ontario Name Index (TONI)

The Ontario Name Index (TONI) shows where information about a particular name can be found. Note that this is an index, it does NOT contain the information, just tells you where to find the information.