Local History & Genealogy

Ancestry Library Edition is a database of genealogical resources for finding vital records, census records, immigration records (birth/death registrations), land and tax records, wills, selected military records, voting lists, etc.. The resource is especially for U.S. and Canadian records, and also includes some European, Australian and New Zealand records.

Ancestry LE contains over 30,000 record collections which span much of the globe and together hold over 11 billion records, some going back to the 1500s. Ancestry Library Edition contains more records than the free site but slightly less than the full premium site. Please note, the information you will be able to find will vary depending on where and when your ancestors lived. In addition, not all records will be available for each of your ancestors being researched. New content added weekly!

Ancestry LE is only available for in-branch use. 

Aandeg Skelly prepared this resource based on her extensive knowledge of the Anishinaabe Bands in the Thunder Bay and Rainy River Region.  

The Gateway to Northwestern Ontario History is a virtual gallery of historic photographs, books, drawings and artifacts from the libraries and museums of Northwestern Ontario. The collection is managed by the Thunder Bay Public Library and hosted by OurDigitalWorld, opens a new window. It provides access (full text and/or index records) to the historical digital collections of libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, government agencies, and private collections from across Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Canada. Copyright restrictions may apply. Questions or comments about the database as part of the Thunder Bay Public Library's online collection will be addressed on an individual basis in accordance with TBPL Policies.

3,500+ photographs, are available online through Gateway to Northwestern Ontario History as well as 2000+ historical maps related to Thunder Bay and Canada can be accessed via the Gateway to Northwestern Ontario History. Copyright restrictions may apply. 

Chronicling the country and its people from the 1600s to the mid-1900s, this collection represents a vast and unique resource for Canadian historians, students, and genealogists.

The Ontario Genealogy Society has placed a number of their own resources at the Thunder Bay Public Library for the benefit of library patrons. This report will provide an overview of the various resources the OGS houses at the library.

This document by Janice Nickerson can help community members find resources that will help them to discover more about their Indigenous ancestors. 

The effects of World War One could be felt every day in Fort William and Port Arthur communities between 1914 and 1918. The local newspapers printed Victory Loan advertisements, editorial reports, and stories on an almost daily basis. While the impact of World War One is felt differently today, it is no less significant than it was 100 years ago. The World War One - Thunder Bay Centennial Project commemorates this time in history through stories, displays, exhibits, and more.