© 2002-07 AFHS
4 Jun 2007
Calgary Public Library's Genealogical Collection
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The genealogy collection is located in the Humanities Department on the fourth floor of the W.R. Castell (Central) Library. The materials are mainly reference (i.e., to be used in the library only). This is an introduction to the genealogy collection. Further information can be found through the online public catalogue (OPAC) or through the catalogue on the library's home page. The web sites mentioned below can be found through the Genealogy Links in the Recommended Links on the library's homepage. The focus is mainly on Canadian web sites. Self-Help HandbooksThe Public Library has many guide books for helping with family history research. These are useful for those just starting out in genealogy or for those needing "how-to's" of a more specific or advanced nature. See the 'Genealogy Guide Books' handout for some suggestions. These may be borrowed from the library (unless indicated as reference with an R). The genealogy links on the library's homepage also has a beginner's section. Atlases, Maps, Gazetteers
Biographical/ Heraldic DictionariesThe library has both national and international biographical dictionaries. Canada
United States
Great Britain
Heraldic
BibliographiesCPL carries bibliographies specific to genealogy. Some are for family histories:
Some are for local histories:
Many library catalogues (for example, The National Library of Canada or The Library of Congress) can now be checked via the Internet for local or family histories. The Alberta GenWeb site has a link to an Alberta Local History Book Project; as well the Alberta Family Histories Society has compiled a place-name index to local histories that is available through their homepage. We have local histories for Alberta and county histories for the eastern provinces.
DirectoriesThe Directories section of the Business, Science & Social Sciences Department has current phone books from around the world and current city directories for most of the major Canadian cities. Many phone lists can also be searched through the Internet. As well, each subject department has a variety of useful directories, such as those listing association or government addresses. The Local History Room has older city directories and phone books. The collection also has many corporate directories, for example Key Contacts Directory. A specific genealogical directory called the Genealogical Research Directory (R 929.1025 JOH) is available in Humanities. Similar information can be found on the Internet through surname links offered by many genealogy web sites. CensusThe Canadian Census is available on microfilm in the Humanities Department. The latest release is 1901. We have only the Canadian census. Calgary Public Library does not borrow through Interlibrary Loans for the census returns for other countries but refers the customer to the LDS (Mormon) Family History Centre. A few Canadian census indexes may be found on the Internet, for example, the Index to the 1871 Census of Ontario, the PEI 1891 Census, and some Alberta census information found through Alberta GenWeb site. For others, check the various provincial web sites as new information is constantly being added. [Webster's note: don't be shy to use the AFHS's Canadian Genealogical Projects Registry to find census materials for all provinces] Land RecordsCPL has the index to the Alberta Homestead Records (Micro film 62), Cummins Alberta Rural Directory Maps 1923 (Microfilm 61), and the Ontario Archives Land Records Index (Microfiche R 929.3713 ARC). Some indexes are available via the Internet, for example, the Upper and Lower Canada Land Petitions, and the New Brunswick original land grants (Cadastral Database). Ships' Passenger ListsCanadian Ships' passenger lists covering the years 1865 to 1920 are available on microfilm in the Humanities Department. This series of microfilms also includes the Border Entry Records from the United States into Canada and The Board of Guardians Register covering child immigration. Passenger lists, 1920-1935, can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loans from the National Archives. A list of available microfilms can be found on the National Archives web site or in the Ships' List binder in Humanities. Information on passenger arrivals after 1935 must be obtained through the Department of Immigration. Check out the InGeneas and Marje's Place web sites on the genealogy link for useful Canadian immigration information. Humanities also has Filby's Passenger and Immigration Lists Index (R 929.373 PAS) as well as many other books on passenger lists both for Canada and the United States. Vital Statistics/Compiled ListsHumanities has many published lists of births, marriages and deaths records that are often compiled from a prior source, most often newspapers.
Vital records are also starting to appear on the internet, for example the British Columbia birth, marriage and death records are searchable through the BC Vital Statistics web site. Many cemetery lists can be found through the Internet, either through one of the genealogy associations or one of the web sites, such as Cyndi's. As well, newspapers are now starting to list their obituaries online. These can also be found through genealogical associations' links. Periodicals and NewspapersThe Public Library subscribes to various genealogical magazines. We keep the current four issues in the Humanities Department with all back issues in the Magazines and Newspapers Department in the basement. Humanities is now lending out back copies of Everton's Genealogical Helper. Newspapers not subscribed to by the library can be borrowed from another library though it is necessary to check the Union List of Canadian Newspapers (R 071.10016 NAT 1991). Local History CollectionThe Local History Room is located in the Humanities Department. It is a special reference collection in which you will find material relating to all aspects of the history of Calgary, Alberta and Western Canada. Of particular interest to genealogists are Alberta local histories (971.233), Calgary city directories (917.123 HEN) and phone books (384.60971 CAL), Index to the Alberta Homestead Records (Microfilm 62), and Alberta cemetery listings (929.509712). To assist in locating this material, a binder Local History: Genealogy Sources can be checked and as well, a more detailed handout on genealogy sources in this collection is available. Genealogical CollectionsThere are several other organizations in Calgary and Alberta that have collections to assist you in your further research.
The genealogy reference collection is located in the Humanities Department of the W.R. Castell (Central) Library (403.260.2785). Handbooks - basic "how-to's" and specific or advanced ones for country or source
Census
Ships' Passenger Lists
Land Records
Vital Records/Compiled Lists - Calgary Public Library specializes in Canadian materials
Directories/Phone Books
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Gensoft
- March 2001
