Local History and Genealogy
The Halton Hills Public Library offers a wide range of materials and services to help you learn more about the history of our area, and about your own genealogy and family history.
Local History Resources
The Local History collection contains publications such as Acton's Early Days and Georgetown: Reflections of a Small Town. We also have cemetery records, local historical newspapers available on microfilm/microfiche and online, will and probate records, historical photos, and birth, marriage and death records. Most materials are for in-library use only, but you can take home a Local History Kit with your library card.
Online Databases
This tool provides you with access to census data and records pertaining to birth, death, marriage, immigration and military service.
A virtual gallery of images and other media, created and maintained by the Halton Hills Public Library and Esquesing Historical Society. Our virtual exhibits showcase the local history of Halton Hills, including notable people, locations, and events.
Search full-text articles in the local Halton Hills newspaper archives. Publications include: Acton Free Press, Acton Tanner, Georgetown Gemini, Georgetown Herald, Halton Hills This Week, Independent & Free Press, and North Halton Compass.
Search local land, surrogate court and cemetery records, Lorne Scotts enrollment and business directories, for names and subject in Halton Region.
A virtual gallery of historical photographs, books, drawings, maps, videos, audio recordings, and other media, created and maintained by the public libraries of Halton Region as well as the historical societies of Burlington, Esquesing, Milton, Oakville, and Trafalgar Township.
Esquesing Historical Society Archives
The Georgetown Branch is home to the Esquesing Historical Society archival collection. This collection contains documents and photographs related to local families, businesses and community groups.
You can search for items in the archives using the online archives inventory. This tool is available through the Archives Association of Ontario’s Archeion database and allows you to access archival records across Ontario. Our staff can help you search for and view items in our archives during regular library hours.
The digitization of the archives inventory was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Halton-Peel Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.
Family History Resources
The Halton Hills Public Library offers a wide range of programs and resources to help you research your family history. Visit the Research Family History page for more information.
The Local History Kits provide tools and resources for historical research in Halton Hills. They are available for all ages and for all types of historical research. The kits include resource guides based on school curriculums and common areas of interest, and instructions on searching our online local history resources.
Popular areas of research include family history and genealogy, historic businesses and buildings, and local communities. The resource guides and tips throughout the kit will help you with your research. Local History Kits can be borrowed for a six-week period.
Books
• Georgetown: Reflections of a Small Town (2006), John Mark Benbow Rowe • Acton: The History of Leathertown (2002), John Mark Benbow Rowe • Collections 1, J.M.B. Rowe, Dawn Livingstone, and Elaine Robinson, eds. • Collections 3, J.M.B. Rowe, Walter Lewis and Geoff Cannon, eds. • Acton`s Early Days: Recollections of the “Old Man” (2006), H.P. Moore • Halton Sketches Revisited: Historical Tales of People and Events in North Halton (2003), John McDonald
Resource Guidebook
• Online search strategies • Community histories • Historical timeline • Special topic resource guides • Maps • “Collections 2” Excerpts
Community History
Discover the rich history of Halton Hills through resources at the Halton Hills Public Library. From the 1818 Treaty 19 and the arrival of early settlers to the growth of Acton, Georgetown, and Esquesing Township, the community has evolved into the vibrant and inclusive town it is today.