The Halton Hills Public Library offers a wide range of programs and resources to help you research your family history. Search our Program Calendar for upcoming programs to help you get started or continue with your family history research. 

Join our Genealogy Circle group that meets the third Saturday of the month (September to June) at 10:00 am to share research tips and learn from other family history enthusiasts and guest speakers. 

Explore our featured collections, events and services below. 

Ancestry Library Edition
This tool provides you with access to census data and records pertaining to birth, death, marriage, immigration and military service. Records are available from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. 
Ancestry Library Edition is only available for use within the library. You can bring your own device or use one of the library’s computers. 
Access Ancestry Library Edition
Esquesing Historical Society Archives
The Georgetown Branch is home to the Esquesing Historical Society's archives and holds documents related to where your relatives may have lived or worked. You can ask to see these documents at any service desk at the Georgetown Branch. 
Access Esquesing Historical Society Archives
FamilySearch
This database is a free, family history research tool that provides online access to billions of historical records. FamilySearch is free to use from anywhere with Internet access, but users must create an account to log in and search. 
The Halton Hills Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, offering in-library access to additional, limited-access FamilySearch databases. You must log in to your FamilySearch account from within one of our library branches to access additional records.  
Access FamilySearch
Local History Collection
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. 
Land Survey Map: The land survey map shows the original surveyors of the southern part of Georgetown in the early-to-mid 1800's. The Georgetown Branch houses corresponding microfilm that contain information on previous property owners, purchase history and more. Visit our Land Survey Map page to research a property.   
Newspapers
If your family lived in Halton Region, you can search our online databases to discover if they appeared in the local news. 
  • Halton Hills Newspapers: Search full-text articles in the local Halton Hills newspaper archives. Publications include: Acton Free Press, Action Tanner, Georgetown Gemini, Georgetown Herald, Halton Hills This Week, Independent & Free Press, North Halton Compass. 
  • Halton's Historical and Newspaper Records: Search cemetery, surrogate court and land records along with business directories for names and subjects in Halton Region. 
  • Halton News: Search for articles in the local newspapers archives of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. 

Online Databases and Other Resources
  • Halton Hills Images: A virtual gallery of historical photographs, books, drawings, maps, videos, audio recordings, and other media from Halton Hills. Pictures of ancestors, historic buildings and other media may help your research. 
  • Archives of Ontario: The provincial archive for Ontario provides access to the documentary heritage of Ontario, including government. It preserves records from government, businesses, individuals and organizations that may be helpful when researching family history. Vital statistics (birth, marriage and death registrations) can be loaned from the Archives of Ontario on microfilm. Contact the library for more details. 
  • Early Canadiana Online: This is a virtual library with full-text historical content about Canada, including books, magazines, and government documents. The collections include Indigenous Studies, the Hudson's Bay Company, Women's History, and more. 
  • Library and Archives Canada: The national Library and Archives for Canada provides access to historical census records, military history, Canadian university theses and dissertations, genealogy and family history documents, immigration records and more. Special digital exhibits are also featured. 
  • OurOntario: A collection of over 2.2 million items and collections from libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, community groups, and government ministries, including contributions from the Halton Hills Public Library and the Esquesing Historical Society.