Local History & Genealogy
Research history and genealogy in Toronto and beyond. Our largest collections are at Toronto Reference Library, with smaller collections at other locations. We also have many online resources.
Online research tools
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Digital Archive
170,000+ historical photos, books and Toronto maps digitized from our collections.
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Resources by neighbourhood
Interactive map to explore our photos, books and maps related to Toronto neighbourhoods.
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City directories
Digital and print city directories of Toronto from the 19th and 20th century.
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Fire insurance plans
Maps that can help you track the history of Toronto houses and other buildings (1858 to 1973).
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Ancestry Library Edition
Genealogy tool with birth, marriage and death records and Census of Canada records.
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Canadiana Online
Digitized books, government publications and newspapers on Canada, from European contact to early 20th century.
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Fold3
Genealogical resource featuring historical documents and military records for the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K.
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HeritageQuest
Genealogical resource featuring archival records, family histories and primary sources dating back to the 1700s for the United States and Canada and select countries.
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Digital newspapers
Research guides
Local history and genealogy collections
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Local history collections at Toronto Public Library
Full list of local history collections at our branches and two research libraries.
Books
- Toronto biographies
- Toronto buildings
- Toronto genealogy
- Toronto photo books
- Fiction featuring Toronto
- Indigenous histories
Upcoming programs
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A History of Toronto's Chinatowns: a Walk in Time
Wed May 25, 2022 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: City HallAs part of the annual Toronto Newcomer Day, take a historical look through time at the Chinese population and the different Chinatowns in Toronto with presenter Harvey Low and to learn about these communities and histories....
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Lacrosse: Roots of the Game - It's a Medicine Game
Wed Jun 01, 2022 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: OnlineLearn about the history of lacrosse! This presentation takes learners on a journey from the very first game played between the Creator and his brother, to the Medicine Game, Winged v Land Animals, Sky World to Mother Earth, W...
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As Long as the Rivers Flow: Past, Present and Future of the Land Back Movement
Tue Jun 14, 2022 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: OnlineWhat is the Land Back Movement? In recent years, this Indigenous-led movement has been increasingly visible in mainstream media. However, the origins of this political, cultural, and environmental movement go back generations...