Find Your Roots
Requests
We will answer letters requesting specific genealogy/local history information in Brant County from non-residents. We will check sources that have an index and photocopy pertinent information. A limited amount of research can be done for each person. The $10.00 fee covers research time, up to five (5) photocopies, and return postage. Additional photocopies are $1.00 each. These charges have been approved by the Brantford Public Library Board. The fee (cheque or money order payable to the Brantford Public Library) must be sent with the initial request. Any charges for more than 5 photocopies will be invoiced in the response. There is a limit of 20 photocopies per request. Please note: When requesting BMD notices the charge is per page copied not per name. Some names may have more than 1 page reference and therefore require more than 1 photocopy.
Send letters to:
Local History Librarian
Brantford Public Library
173 Colborne Street
Brantford, Ontario
N3T 2G8
Resources
Birth, Marriage, Death Search Index
The Birth, Marriage, Death Search Index covers births, marriages, and deaths appearing in the Brantford Expositor.
Notices for anniversaries, divorces, birthdays, and naturalizations are also included for some years.
The index lists the date of the notice not the date of the event. The actual notice is only available on microfilm at the Main Library. Non-residents can request photocopies of notices as outlined above. Click here to view a brief video on using the BMD index.
The Virtual War Memorial for Brantford and the County of Brant
The Album of Honour for Brant County was compiled in 1946 by the Brantford Kinsmen Club to
commemorate those of Brantford, the County of Brant and the peoples of the Six Nations who served Canada
during the Second World War. From 1939 until 1945, over 6000 men and women of Brant County joined the
armed forces. Over 300 never returned. To view the photos and biographies of these brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice please click on the
Virtual War Memorial link.
Digital Archives
The Digital Archives contains the digitized versions of two books about Brant County's early history and one about the life of Joseph Brant. The Brantford Expositor Semi-Centennial, 1827-1927 is available as well as several other resources that people will find useful when researching the history of Brantford and Brant County.
The Library also has the following material in the Local History Room on the lower level of the Main Library:
- Ancestry.com (Available only in the Library)
- Cemetery transcripts
- Census records
- City directories/Telephone books
- Family histories
- Newspapers (on microfilm)
- Ontario Archives Indexes (on microfilm)
- Genealogy reference books
- Scrapbooks
- Vertical Files
Brantford & Brant County: People, Places, Events
Banks
The Bank of Brantford and other early banks in the city.
Brant County Court Judges
From 1852 to 1997 only five men have served as Brant County Court Judges.
Brantford Public Library: The Early Years
Read about the early days of the Brantford Public Library.
Care Facilities
Whatever happened to facilities such as the Brant Sanatorium, the House of Refuge, and the Widows' Home?
Churches
Learn about some of the oldest churches in Brantford.
Famous People
Provides information on just some of the local people well-known nationally and internationally for their accomplishments in various fields of endeavour.
Fascinating Facts You Might Not Know
Provides some lesser-known information about local people, places, and subjects.
Fires
Many disastrous fires have occurred locally through the years.
Historic Sites and Monuments
Learn about the history of some of Brantford's monuments and houses.
Hotels
A look at some of the historic hotels in Brantford.
Industries
What do the Barber-Ellis Company, the Canada Glue Company, the Goold Bicycle Company, and the Snowdrift Baking Powder Company have in common? They are just four of the local industries from years gone by.
Lesser Known Industries
Find out about some of the early local companies whose names and products may not be so familiar to you.
Music
The Canadian Choir and the Schubert Choir are just two of Brantford's well-known choirs. Read about some of the musical groups and organizations that are part of the city's history.
Parks
Brantford has many parks with interesting histories.
Railways
Learn about the railways that used to stop in Brantford.
Royal Visits
Find out when members of the royal family came to Brantford.
Schools
Find out about some of the well-known schools in Brantford.
Sports
See what sports were popular in Brantford's early days.
Theatres
The Apollo, Colonial, Lyric, and Temple, just some of the early theatres in Brantford.
