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Canadiana Collection

Canadiana Department, Sixth Floor, North York Central Library

5120 Yonge Street, North York, Ontario, CANADA, M2N 5N9 (416) 395-5623. Opening Hours

The Canadiana Department is home to a wide range of eclectic reference collections documenting the historical and cultural development of Canada. Railroad memorabilia, pulp fiction, and books with fine printing and illustration are just a few of the surprises that await visitors. Emphasis is on

• Canadian genealogy
• Ontario local history
• North York history

Knowledgeable, professional staff will help you find information, or refer you to other libraries and archives with materials on these topics. We provide displays and programs to increase your enjoyment and use of the collections.

Many items in the Canadiana Collection are listed in Toronto Public Library's catalogue. Specialized catalogues, indexes and finding aids to additional information in the collections are available at the library.

More about the Canadiana Collection

Genealogy research centre to trace your family tree

Ontarian Families. Vol. 1, 1894.

Genealogists from beginners to experienced researchers will appreciate the Canadiana Department's comprehensive resources. The Genealogy Collection focuses on Ontario although there are many genealogical research materials for all of Canada.

Several major genealogical societies house their genealogical collections here. For a description of these collections go to:

	Collections of major genealogical societies
	What are our most popular genealogical resources?

Ontario Local History Collection

10,000 local histories of Ontario communities

Souvenir Diamond Jubilee Guide: Rat Portage... 1897.

The Canadiana Department's extensive local history reference collection contains many rare 19th and 20th century items, in paper and on microfilm and microfiche. Ontario and Toronto are emphasized. Published histories of local organizations and businesses, professional directories, school yearbooks, newspapers, and maps are among the resources.

For a description of some of Canadiana's Local History resources go to:

Canadiana's Local History resources

North York history from native settlement to rural hinterland to urban centre

John McBride Crown Grant. 1830.

The growth of this part of Toronto is documented in the extensive North York History Collection.

• histories of organizations - schools, churches, businesses
  
• studies of neighbourhood
  
• genealogies of local families
  

The collection has materials in paper and on microfilm and microfiche:

• books
  
• files of clippings and pamphlets
  
• pictures
  
• maps
  
• community newspapers
  
• government records - voters' lists, assessment rolls and council minutes
  
• scrapbooks compiled by the North York Historical Society
  
• archives of the North York Public Library
  

Use Historicity to locate information on people, places and events in North York and surrounding areas. This index has more than 30,000 citations to North York materials in the Canadiana Department. Use Advanced Search and check only “North York History” under Indexes.

Historicity: Toronto Then and Now

Displays and Programs

The Canadiana Department has displays, featuring items from our collections.

Genealogical research workshops are co-sponsored by the Canadiana Department and genealogical societies.

For further information consult What's On.

	North York Central Library Programs & Events
	More services

Updated on: October 16, 2007

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