Local History

Discover your local history including photographs, news clippings and other historical documents at RWL! Visit the Elmira, New Hamburg, and Ayr branches during branch hours to view our material collections.

Explore our online digital collections featuring local Women's Institute Tweedsmuir Histories.

Research Assistance
Unfortunately, Region of Waterloo Library (RWL) cannot provide in-depth long-distance telephone, written or email research assistance. Nor can we extract copies of entries from our microfilmed collection.

Library staff will acknowledge research requests within one business day. Staff may also suggest local historians or organizations that charge for their services.

Services
The Region of Waterloo Library offers the following resources that may assist you with your local history research:

• Microfilm and microfiche
• Photocopying and printing facilities
• Region of Waterloo Library provides microfilm and microfiche collections at the Ayr and Elmira branches.

Collections Available 

Elmira Microfilm and Microfiche Collection

• Local newspapers (1873 - current)
• Indexes to Births, Marriages and Deaths (1869 - 1934)
• Census information (1861 - 1951)
• Civil Registers, Council Proceedings and Tweedsmuir Histories

Ayr Microfilm Collection

• Local Newspapers (1873 to 2008)

Viewing

Patrons can view microfilm from the Region of Waterloo Library’s collection, at the Elmira Branch or at the Sir Adam Beck Archives located in Baden. First, contact your local library branch to request the microfilm that you require. The library will arrange for transportation of the microfilm to the location of choice and will contact you when the microfilm is available to view.

Patrons may also view microfilm borrowed from the Archives of Ontario at our viewing locations. Please contact staff to make a request.

Local History Digital Collections Search Tips

On the Digital Collections main page, you may browse any of our featured collections by clicking on them: Ayr Tweedsmuir, Central Dumfries Tweedsmuir, Linwood/Dorking Tweedsmuir, Local Buildings, Maps, or Photos. When viewing an item, you can narrow your search by entering your keywords in the “Search within this title” field at the top of the page, and click go.

To start an original search, you can enter your keywords at the top of the main page next to “Find”. Clicking on “Advanced Search” in the left menu will allow you to narrow by date, groups, and media type.

All documents in this digital collection have been scanned with their geographical location listed first. For example, Ayr Travel Club or North Dumfries 1881 Map.

Region of Waterloo Archives

The Region of Waterloo Archives acquires and preserve records of archival value, provides access to the records, and supports the development of the archival community in Waterloo Region. The research room is currently open by appointment only. To make an appointment or to forward a research request, please email them at archives@regionofwaterloo.ca and they will do their best to assist you.

Other Local History Resources

• Ellis Little Local History Room, Waterloo Public Library
• Grace Schmidt Room of Local History, Kitchener Public Library
• Historical Society of St. Boniface and Maryhill Community
• Heritage Wilmot (including the Sir Adam Beck Archives)
• Region of Waterloo Archives (includes Woolwich Township and Elmira historical records)
• Waterloo Historical Society
• Waterloo Region - Local History Websites (Last updated: 2017)

Local History Donations and Temporary Loans

Do you have local history images and or documents that you would like us to consider for our digital collection? If so, visit any branch to pick up the digital use agreement form. Once completed, return the form and items to any branch for consideration by the Manager, Library Services.