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.
Halton Hills Images
Our virtual exhibits showcase the local history of Halton Hills, including notable people, locations, and events.
More information about Halton Hills Images can be found listed under Newspapers, below.
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.
Land survey map
This 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.
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.
Newspapers
You can access our online newspaper databases from home or anywhere you have an internet connection.
| Halton Hills Newspapers |
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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, North Halton Compass. |
| Halton's Historical and Newspaper Records |
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Search local census, cemetery, land and surrogate court records, plus Lorne Scots enrollment and business directories, for names and subjects in Halton Region. |
| Halton Hills Images |
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A virtual gallery of images and other media, created and maintained by the Halton Hills Public Library and Esquesing Historical Society. |
| Halton Images |
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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. |
| Halton News |
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Search the full-text, local Halton Hills newspaper digital archives, as well as publications from surrounding areas. |
| In-Library Use |
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The newspapers listed below are also available on microfilm/microfiche for in-library viewing:
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Family history resources
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.
| Ancestry Library Edition |
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This online database that contains records of births, marriages, deaths, census information, immigration, military and more, for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and many other countries. It can be accessed for free, from either branch of the library. |
| Family Search |
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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. Family Search can be accessed from the Family History page 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. |
| Local History Kits |
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Learn about key events in the history of Halton Hills, including the history of Georgetown, Acton and surrounding communities. Local History Kits can be signed out for a six week period. They are great for school projects, teachers, and the general public. Each kit includes print materials, suggested readings for junior and senior students, and instructions on searching our online local history resources. |
Online databases and other resources
| Canadiana Online |
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This is a virtual library with full-text historical content about Canada, including books, magazines, and government documents. The collections include women’s history, Indigenous history, Canadian literature and genealogy, along with specialized journals, mass-market magazines, city directories, and annual reports from churches, schools, businesses and other organizations. |
| Library and Archives Canada |
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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 |
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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. |