Local History and Genealogy
Service Notice
Digitized Local Newspapers
As part of VITA Toolkit's ongoing maintenance and security services, access to the digitized newspapers may be affected by slower response times from October 23 to 30. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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Clarington Library, Museums & Archives is proud of its local heritage! We have a variety of materials covering the history of Clarington and surrounding areas, including local newspapers on microfilm and a collection of historical texts about the region. Let us help you get started in your discovery!
Library, Museums & Archives Resources
- Ancestry Library Edition
- Local Newspapers: Digitized and Microfilm
- Community History in the Catalogue
- Cemetery Records
- Newcastle Village and District Historical Society
- Ontario Genealogical Society, Durham Region Branch
Other Resources
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.
Video Tutorials
Local Newspapers: Digitized and Microfilm
Clarington Library, Museums and Archives has begun digitizing our newspaper collection, and a portion is now available online! Search the Orono Weekly Times, the Merchant and General Advertiser, and the Canadian Stateman, with papers available from the 1860s to the 2010s.
Visit the microfilm collection, bring in your own microfilm reels, or request microfilm reels from Library and Archives Canada. To help your search, our Microfiche Surname Index is available at the Bowmanville Branch for newspapers ranging from 1868 to 1926. The Durham Region Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society also has an Surname List for 1926 to 1934.
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, Feb. 9,1855
- 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
Community History in the Catalogue
Cemetery Records
Cemetery Records for the Clarington area are available in the Bowmanville Branch upon request. They cannot be checked out, but you may purchase copies directly from the Ontario Genealogical Society's Durham Branch by visiting their website and selecting the area you are interested in.
Newcastle Village and District Historical Society
The Newcastle Village and District Historical Society is located within Newcastle's Massey Community Hall. They are open to the public Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM and by appointment.
Ontario Genealogical Society, Durham Region Branch
The Durham Region Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society (AKA Ontario Ancestors) meets once a month on the first Tuesday from September to June in the evening, virtually and/or at the Northminster Church. Their members focus on preserving information that will be useful for anyone doing research on ancestors from the Durham Region, and provide a sound base for researchers living here who have ancestors in other areas around the world. Their research library is housed at the Northminster Church.
676 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa, ON L1G 4V7
Surname Indexes
The Library's Microfiche Surname Index is available at the Bowmanville Branch for newspapers ranging from 1868 to 1926.
The Durham Region Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society has a digital Online Surname Index available online for 1926 to 1934.
OurOntario
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.
Library and Archives Canada
The national library of Canada, Library and Archives Canada has a wealth of databases and resources to assist in your search, including an Ancestors Search.
Contact Us
Clarington Library,
Museums & Archives
163 Church Street
Bowmanville, ON,
L1C 1T7