Discover your ancestors or stories of Newmarket's history at library

Yorkregion.com
September 28, 2018

We can learn so much from the past and those who came before us. 

Gaining knowledge of days gone by often yields stories that resonate through the years, providing us with valuable insight and information. We can learn how our town developed, and about the people who were part of its growth.

On a more personal note, researching our family tree brings us closer to our ancestors, helping us see them as more than just names. We can build a family tree that contains facts about earlier generations that will flesh out our family history and create a chronicle that can be passed on to future generations.

Whether you’re interested in local history or your own personal family history, the library has many resources to help you step back in time, including:

Town of Newmarket history books

These excellent resources are written by local authors who have done their research and compiled a comprehensive look at the development of the Town of Newmarket. Highly recommended books include, Newmarket: The Heart of York Region, an illustrated history by Robert Terence Carter, and History of the Town of Newmarket by Ethel Willson Trewhella.

The Era newspaper archives

Newmarket’s local newspaper, The Era, began publishing in 1852 and its back issues contain a wealth of history about the town. Much of that content is now online and available through the library’s website in The Era, Newmarket’s digital newspaper index, covering the years 1852 to 1979. You can view complete issues of the newspaper, and if you find a page interesting and want to keep it you can print it or save it as a PDF.

Genealogy resources

Researching your family’s history can be a rewarding journey. Begin by gathering all the information you have on your family such as photos, letters, etc. and then learn about the types of tools available to organize your research. The library has genealogy handbooks that help you understand how to use various resources such as maps, government records, and census information. And you’ll find local versions of these resources, along with voters' lists and tax assessment rolls, available at the library.

Free access to the Ancestry.ca website

Ancestry.ca is one of the most popular genealogy websites on the internet, and Newmarket Public Library has a subscription-based version of the website created specifically for use in libraries -- Ancestry Library Edition. It’s an extensive resource that features millions of names, and it’s easy to use. You’ll find links to census information, along with a wide variety of Canadian records, as well as records from the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Australia. Ancestry Library Edition also contains newspaper articles, photos, and maps.

So if you’re a local history buff or looking to trace your lineage, you can begin your journey into the past at the library. And library staff members are always willing to help you find what you’re looking for. Learn more about the library’s local history and genealogy collection.

Lorne Chase is the marketing and communications co-ordinator at Newmarket Public Library. Visit the library’s website at www.newmarketpl.ca.