Finding Aids for Local History & Archives
We have many ways to help you find information about Hamilton's past. Some items are available only in the Hamilton Public Library, some have the listing online while the resources are physically in the Local History & Archives department at the Central Library and others are available online so you can use them at home.
For use in the Local History & Archives Department. This resource is your one stop to find where information is in the collection.
Hamilton Public Library Archives
This collection is the record of the history of the Hamilton Public Library itself. One of the earliest Public Libraries in Ontario, Canada, the Hamilton Public Library celebrated its centennial in 1989. The collection consists of minute books from 1889 to the present, committee minutes, photographs, architectural plans, accession books, financial records, Branch library records, publicity materials, newspaper clippings, history, ephemera and other materials. There is a finding aid for the material contained in this collection. Most of the material is available to the public.
Hamilton and Hamilton-Wentworth Archives
This collection consists of manuscript and archival records relating to Hamilton and the Hamilton-Wentworth area. There are records of local businesses and organizations, family papers, government records of the City of Hamilton and the County of Wentworth, military records, etc.
The Canadiana collection is a collection of books about Canada, written by Canadians, published by Canadians, or having something to do with the history of Canada.
This collection consists of thousands of books and pamphlets relating in some way to the history, politics, culture and industry of Hamilton, as well as many other aspects. Within this collection are the more than 500 current scrapbooks on topics of local interest including churches, elections, hospitals, crime, the Hamilton Harbour, weather, theatre, sports, politics, historic houses, and people.
There are over 2 million images of Hamilton and the Hamilton-Wentworth area contained in Local History & Archives.
The Rare Book Collection consists of samples of old, rare, or unusual books as well as some modern limited editions, and other works of value. Most of these books were acquired as part of the regular library collection in past years and have been transferred to this collection for safekeeping.
There are two basic sections to the Rare Book Collection. The first is the general collection which consists of a variety of books acquired mainly by transfer from other departments. The second section consists of distinct collections of books given as units by the donors.
The largest single subject collection is the section of books concerning the War of 1812.
For a number of years, Local History & Archives [previously Special Collections], under contract to Industry Canada, created a number of digital sites highlighting aspects of Hamilton's history.
Those site now have archived copies available through the Library and Archives Canada website.
Policies for Use of the Materials in Local History & Archives
The policies to follow while using the Local History & Archives materials include Rules of Use of the Archives, Hamilton Public Library Archives Policy Statement and Local History & Archives Collection Policy Statement.
