Genealogy

Working on your family tree? 

If you are doing research on your family history, why not come into the library and let us help you?  Whether it is assisting you with using the Acestry Library Edition database or arranging for delivery and use of a microfilm reel from Library and Archives Canada, our information staff can make your historical investigation easier!

Ancestry Library Edition

Ancestry Library Edition is a powerful research tool available for free with your library card! 

Come to any library branch and use our public computer stations to search for your ancestors by name, country and date range to find original documents and more.  Documents that can be found on Ancestry include census records, voter lists, birth, marriage and death records, military records, immigration records, travel records, newspaper articles, photos and maps.

image of microfilm reelMicrofilm Readers

Free use of microfilm readers is available at the Bowmanville branch during open hours.  Either access our microfilm collection or bring in your own microfilm reels. 

Our microfilm collection covers local newspapers dating as far back as 1869.

To help you find relevant newspaper articles, our Microfiche Surname Index is available at the Bowmanville branch for newspapers ranging from 1868 to 1926. Also, the Durham Region Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society has an Online Surname Index for 1926 to 1934 on their website.

Our microfilmed newspaper holdings include:

  • Canadian Statesman, 1867-1970 Apr. 22, 1981-2003
  • West Durham News 1879 - 1901
  • Bowmanville News, 1880-1901 1901-1910
  • Bowmanville Merchant, 1869-1876
  • Bowmanville Star, 1855
  • Bowmanville Sun, 1883-1890
  • Bowmanville Observer, 1883-1884
  • Orono News, 1901-1942
  • Clarington This Week, 1996-2009
  • Courtice / Bowmanville News, 1993-1997
  • Durham Post, 1999-2000
  • Orono Weekly Times, 1986-2009

logo for Our Ontario website

OurOntario.ca is an online resource that allows users to search across hundreds of sites – digital collections of libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, community groups, government agencies, and content organizations. Discover people, places, events and objects about Ontario, and from Ontario organizations. It's easy to find photographs, maps, videos, audio recordings, government documents and other media.