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Genealogical resource featuring historical documents and military records for the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K.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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City of the Dead: The History of Toronto's Early Cemeteries- Thurs May 23
Thu May 23, 2024 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Mount PleasantIn the 18th century, there was a radical change in burial practices with the introduction of the park style of cemetery. Virginia Van Vliet, former Toronto Public Library librarian and Cabbagetown community activist is going...
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Lessons in Leadership from Ancient Greece and Rome
Fri May 24, 2024 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: Don MillsJoin Professor Alison Keith as she examines the leadership styles of ancient figures Odysseus (Ulysses), Aeneas, Dido, and Sappho. Her program will chart their successes and failures, and explain how the actions each leader t...
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Protecting Your Family Treasures
Mon May 27, 2024 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: RichviewA lot of us have items like books, old photos, letters, and other documents that are connected to our families. Some of these items might be really old and delicate. Together these things are personal items, but also make up...