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Genealogy

Genealogy and the library

Genealogy is the study of a person’s family history. Here at the Belleville Public Library we strive to assist family researchers, from beginner to advanced, in their quest to learn more about their ancestors.

Below you will find a list of the resources that the library has that may assist genealogists in their research. You will also find a list of local community organizations and online resources that may be of use as well. If you cannot find what you need, you can also try our Inter-Library loan service and order microfilm from the Archives of Ontario.

If you are unable to visit our library in person, you may request library staff to do some research for you. For more information about this service, please refer to our Fee Based Research page. Note, for in person assistance visit us Monday – Saturday. There is limited availability for family research resources on Sundays so please call ahead before your visit.

What resources does the library have?

Ancestry Library Edition – FREE access (in-library use only)
Belleville History Alive (digitization project – local history collection)
Birth, Marriage and Death Indexes (from local newspapers)
City Directories (including some 19th century plus 1901-2007):
- We have physical copies at the library; there are digital copies available online through FamilySearch – you will need to use a free FamilySearch account. Once you are logged in, go to the catalogue and search for Vernon City Directories

Family Histories A-Z
FIND-IT – This is a finding aid for the Quinte Branch Research Library
Flikr – photos of people and places in Hastings County from the Community Archives
Historical County Atlases
Internet Archive – scanned images of the Belleville Intelligencer (c.1900-c.1970)
Local Author and Local History Books
Maps – courtesy of the Community Archives
Microfilm:
Local Newspapers (c.1846-Present): Pre-1900 Newspapers on Microfilm
Belleville and Hastings County Directories (1851-1911)
Telephone Directories (1883-1979)
UEL Papers and Military Records
Surrogate Court Records (c.1793-c.1966)
Marchmont Home Records:
Marchmont Children – Ships Index
Marchmont Home Index
District Marriage Registers (1780-1858)
Census Records (c.1842-1911)
Ontario Birth Indexes (c.1869-1912)
Ontario Marriage Indexes (c.1869-1927)
Ontario Death Indexes (c.1869-1937)
Telephone Books (1938-2010)
Toronto Star (digital) (1985-Current)
Yearbooks (BCI – Belleville Collegiate Institute c.1918-1990)
Vertical Files (local history clippings)

Local organizations of interest:

Online resources of interest: