Genealogy
The Local History & Archives department, located on the third floor of the Central Library, has many books, microfilms, and online resources to help you research the history of your family within the Hamilton area.
Library staff are available to help you use the collections and no appointment is necessary. Our materials are for use only in the library. To view archival materials, you need to provide identification, such as a library card or driver's license.
Copying of most of our collections is allowed. Photocopies cost 10 cents. Copies from microfilm reader-printers cost 50 cents. Change is available at the entrance to the library.
Contact us for more information.
Ancestry Library Edition
The Hamiton Public Library subscribes to the Library edition of the popular genealogical search engine Ancestry.com.
Vital Statistics
The Ontario government made it mandatory to register births, marriages and deaths on July 1st 1869.
Newspapers
If you know the date of birth, death or marriage, you can check the local newspaper for an announcement. If you don't, there are ways we may be able to help you find it. Contact us for more information.
Cemetery Transcriptions
Some tombstones contain the date of birth as well as the date of death.
Copies of all the cemetery transcriptions for the Hamilton area are available in the Local History & Archives department.
