This 1945 graduation photo of nine preschool students, all age five, helps tell the story of Chinese Canadian life in Toronto over the past century. It was taken at the Chinese Canadian Institute located at University and Dundas in the heart of Toronto's old Chinatown. CCI preschool graduation, 1945 (Courtesy of Mavis Chu Lew Garland) These second or third […]
Conducting research into your family history? Writing a research paper on an aspect of Toronto history? Seeking first-hand coverage on major historical events? Historical newspapers are invaluable sources of information for genealogists, students, and general researchers. Proquest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail features digitized copies of the newspaper dating from 1844 to 2012. Learn […]
Getting Started This guide focuses on resources available at the Toronto Reference Library. Most of the resources listed are available through the Humanities and Social Sciences Department, located on the second floor. Questions to think about before beginning: To what branch of the military did your ancestor belong (army, navy, militia, etc.)? In what type […]
Slavic and East European Collections, The New York Public Library. "Karta Ukrainy V.Boplana 1650g. Tekst str. 15" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. This guide has had minor revisions in October 2016. Getting Started This guide focuses on resources at the Toronto Reference Library. For help with your genealogy research, please visit the Humanities […]
On October 15 and beyond, take a moment to reflect upon the destructive power and aftermath of Hurricane Hazel which struck southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area on October 15, 1954 after affecting various Caribbean countries and several American states along the eastern seaboard. Hurricane Hazel merged with a strong cold front over the […]
On the farm in Nova Scotia, c. 1900 (Photo courtesy of Carl MacKenzie) When my mother-in-law passed away 10 years ago, she left some precious family heirlooms. While my husband took pride in using the silver, bone china and crystal for special events, nothing gave him more joy than discovering, tucked away in our basement, […]
(Credit: Prince of Wales and group at the CNE, 1927 – Toronto Archives – William James family fonds – Fonds 1244 – Item 1018A) (Credit: C.N.E., Prince's Gate, Prince of Wales cutting ribbon, August 30, 1927 – Toronto Archives – Globe and Mail fonds – Fonds 1266, Item 11384) (Credit: C.N.E., Prince's Gate, […]
Memorial at Toronto Necropolis Credit: Freaktography Urban Exploration and Photography, September 10, 2012 On August 22 and beyond, take a moment to remember the late Hon. John Gilbert “Jack” Layton (Born: July 18, 1950; Died: August 22, 2011), who was Leader of the Official Opposition in Canada’s 41st Parliament, 1st Session; Leader of the […]
Timothy Eaton and his son John Craig Eaton, Eaton's department store, Toronto, Canada, 1899. Credit: Archives of Ontario, Item Reference Code F 229-308-0-2209 Eaton's store façade, 190 Yonge Street, Toronto, Canada, 1918. Credit: Archives of Ontario, Item Reference Code F 229-308-0-1700 On August 20 and beyond, take a moment to remember the passing […]
Toronto Railway Company’s Map Showing Street Railway Lines, 1892. Lithograph. On August 15 and beyond, take a moment to look back into Toronto’s transit history by remembering when Toronto’s first electric streetcar ran on August 15, 1892 (with the last horse streetcar finishing service on August 31, 1894). The Toronto Street Railway (TSR) had […]