Monday, April 28 is the National Day of Mourning to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace. All HPL Branches will observe a minute of silence at 11am to honour their memories.
April 28: National Day of Mourning
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
Westdale Branch: Polling Station
Monday, April 28 is Election Day in Canada. Westdale Branch is open 9:30am-9:30pm as a polling station. Please bring one piece of ID to vote. Please note there will be a minute of silence at 11am in honour of the National Day of Mourning.
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Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
City of Hamilton IT Maintenance
Due to City IT maintenance, HPL's catalogue and digital resources will not be available on Sunday, April 27 between midnight and 1am. We apologize for the inconvenience.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 9:00am
Extended Access at Freelton Branch Unavailable
Extended Access at Freelton Branch is not working. We aim to fix it quickly. Apologies for the inconvenience.
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Published:
Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 12:00pm
Ancaster Branch - Temporary Closure, May 5-31
From Monday, May 5 to Saturday, May 31, the Ancaster Branch will be temporarily closed due to a roof and HVAC replacement. During this time, service hours will be available at the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The last day to pick up your Holds is Thursday, May 1st. Thank you for your understanding.
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Published:
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 11:00am
Central Library - Microfilm Machine
The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available, but it doesn't print. We aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.
1
Published:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30pm
Barton Branch - Roof Repair
Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions will continue until April 25. Thank you for your patience.
1
Published:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 3:30pm
Sherwood Branch - Basement Renovation
The first phase of renovations will begin at the Sherwood Branch from April 10 to May 2. During this time, noise disruptions may occur throughout the branch due to a basement renovation. Parking, access to the building, and collections will not be affected. Thank you for your patience. www.hpl.ca/sherwood
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Published:
Monday, April 7, 2025 - 8:30am
Phishing Scheme
Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
All Branches and Bookmobile Stops
Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 10:30am
Vital Statistics for Ontario
Baptism at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Indexes are available on microfilm in Local History & Archives and to borrow from the Archives of Ontario.
The full registration record is available only on loan from the Archives of Ontario or by visiting the Archives of Ontario in Toronto.
The indexes for the following years have been released and are held by the department:
- Births 1869 to 1915
- Marriages [ca.1801] to 1931
- Deaths 1869 to 1941 plus deaths of Ontarians overseas, 1939-1946
Later indexes and complete transcriptions are not available in the department but all currently available can be accessed through Ancestry.ca
Vital Statistics
Local History & Archives does have some original Vital Statistics:
Barton Township
1896 to 1924
microfilms 355 & 356
Beverly Township
1871 to 1948
microfilms 296, 297, 298 & 357
Glanford Township
Archives File - Glanford Township
Volume 1, 1869 to 1877
Volume 2, 1879 to 1897
Volume 3, 1898 to 1903
Archives File - Glanford Township
Index of names that appear in Glanford Township birth, marriage and death records
Waterdown
Archives File - Waterdown
Volume 1, 1880 to 1894 (incomplete)
West Flamborough Township
Archives File - Flamborough, West Township
Birth & Death Certificates
1873 to 1875
Birth Records pre-1869
Before 1869 there are two main sources of birth records: newspaper announcements and church baptismal records.
Some of these records are available in Local History & Archives:
Ancaster Township
Ontario Historical Society
Papers & Records
971.3 ONT
Volume 5, pages 102 to 177
1830 to 1838 – Anglican
Dundas
Dundas Warder & County of Halton General Advertiser
929.3713 DUN
1847 to 1857
Gore District
Ontario Historical Society
Papers & Records
971.3 ONT
Volume 5, pages 92 to 96
1816-1824
Hamilton
Check our Where-to-Look in the department under the name of the person to see if there is a biographical file in the collection. This may include birth, death and/or marriage announcements.
Gordon Allison Collection
Transcriptions of deaths, marriages and births published in the Hamilton Spectator from 1846 to 1899
[missing July 1876 to October 1877]
Hamilton Evening Times
February 17, 1859 to December 30, 1869
Newspapers of the Western Gore
1831 to 1859
Gore Gazette
March 2, 1827 to June 8, 1829
Hamilton Express & Free Press, 1836
Hamilton Journal & Gore District Mercantile & Agricultural Intelligencer, 1839
Hamilton Express & Political & Commercial Journal, 1839
Journal & Express, 1841 to 1853
Birth, Marriage & Death Records
929.3 OGS
November 1854 to July 1857
Central Presbyterian Church
Baptismal Registers
Microfilm 539
1842 to 1877
1877 to 1954
