Getting Started with Genealogy
March 14 is Genealogy Day, making it the perfect time to learn more about your ancestors. Whether you are completely new to genealogy or have already begun to research your family history, we offer some helpful steps you can take to learn more about your roots.
Gather What You Know
Write down the personal details, like names, birthdates, marriages, and deaths, of all family members you may know. It will also be useful to record any locations they may have lived or been buried. Ask family members to help you fill in gaps: Your brother may remember Grandpa’s birthday, and your aunt might know where your great-grandparents lived before moving to Canada.
This information can help you determine what parts of the family tree still need to be filled in and provide clues as you research into ancestors even further back.
Start Searching
Generally, you'll work backwards, generation by generation. Try to start with the easiest family line first. So, if you know more about your maternal grandparents, start with them. Here are some tips on where to begin and how to approach your search.
BPL's Genealogy Site
Visit Burlington Public Library's Genealogy web page, where you'll find links to key online resources, such as Ancestry Library Edition and FamilySearch.org.
Ancestry Library Edition - Provides census information, vital records (birth, marriage and death), immigration and military records, and more. Access for free onsite at all BPL branches. Bring your own device or use a library computer to explore this database.
FamilySearch.org - The largest genealogy database in the world. Find census records, immigration records, digital microfilm collections, and more. BPL is a FamilySearch.org Affiliate Library, providing access to restricted digitized microfilm onsite at all our branches.
Newspapers
Newspapers provide invaluable insight into the past. You can find life announcements (births, marriages, deaths), or even an article about a tea party they hosted, their class ranking at school, or a letter to the editor that shows their personality!
You can use the Burlington Newspaper Index to help you find mentions of ancestors in local newspapers. Search by name to find which newspaper and page number they appear on to speed up your search.
Many years of the Burlington Post have been made available online via Newspapers.com, accessible onsite at all library branches. Other local newspapers, such as the Burlington Gazette and Hamilton Spectator, are available on microfilm.
Archives
Local archives may hold materials related to your family, the schools they attended, the businesses they worked or shopped at, and more.
Do you have Burlington ancestors? You can search the Burlington Digital Archive for digitized archival material, or Archeion, our archival database for all records in our collection. You can also search the Burlington History Index for your family name to see what records may be available. Just remember, the index is not exhaustive and only acts as a starting point for research.
Glenview Public School - Class Photo, 1958. Burlington Historical Society, Digital Archive
Learn From Others
If you hit a roadblock or need inspiration, it’s useful to learn from others’ experiences. Genealogy publications, such as Families and the Halton-Peel Newsleaf, include advice, research stories and more from fellow genealogists. You can read in-library use issues from the Burlington History Room—just ask a staff member for help.
Think Outside the Box
Be creative about where you look. Genealogical research is both an art and a science, so trust your curiosity and let your inner sleuth lead the way.
The Burlington History Room is home to a wide range of helpful reference materials, including Burlington high school yearbooks. Vernon’s City Directories can help track ancestors who moved frequently and shed light on their occupations. Online collections, such as the Burlington Digital Archive, may even turn up a photograph—perhaps of your great-grandmother’s sports team—that can offer clues to her age and help you estimate when she was born.
Burlington High School winning women's team, 1932. Burlington Historical Society, Digital Archive
A Word About Restrictions & Privacy
Depending on where and when your ancestors lived, you may have trouble accessing information about them based on privacy laws. The Canadian census, for example, is only available to the public after 92 years. The 1931 Canadian Census was released in 2023, so you will only find ancestors using census records up to this year. Hoping to find information in a 1950s census? You’ll have to wait or look for alternative sources of information.
We Can Help
Genealogy is a fun and rewarding pursuit. If you have questions about using databases or accessing archival items, don’t hesitate to contact the Local History and Digital Archive Coordinator by email or call 905.639.3611 extension 1155.
