When you think of great research places, a place like the Lindsay Branch of the City of Kawartha Lakes Public Library system would not immediately come to mind. With a population of just over 20,000, Lindsay is part of the amalgamated City of Kawartha Lakes (formerly Victoria County). It has a unique combination of both small city and small town feel. The library building itself is a historic building, built in 1902. An addition was added in 1977. The reference section is located on the second floor. You can see a history timeline of the library here.
Onsite Holdings
What I love the most about the Lindsay Library is they love genealogy and genealogists. A large section of the reference section\’s shelves are devoted to genealogy and history. Because it is the reference section, these items are not available to take home. But trust me, you can easily spend a happy few hours here and not even realize it. Take a look at a few of what they offer in the way of books:
- Donald A. McKenzie\’s book series of notices from the Christian Guardian and the Canada Christian Advocate. They also have his collection of Notices from Methodists Papers
- Books on local history and provincial history
- Many different books of passenger lists from the 1800\’s
- Books on Genealogy Methodology
- Many Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) publications
- William Reids books \”Death Notices of Ontario\”, \”Loyalists in Ontario\”, Marriage Notices of Ontario\”
- Linda and Gary Coupe\’s books on the early Assize Court records and Heir and Devisee Commission records
- Multiple volumes of The Ontario Register
- Family histories of several surnames. Some of the names I saw were Tripp, Quibell, Lamb and Logan.
- The series of Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Registers
The Lindsay Library participates in inter library loan. I have used them in the past to obtain reels from both the Archives of Ontario and the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. They have a microfilm section onsite as well. There are two microfilm readers there that you can print from. A third reader that is USB capable is in the works. On microfilm you can find the following:
- Victoria/Watchman Warder (newspaper) 1976-1933
- Canada/Evening/Lindsay Post (newspaper)1861-1933
- Lindsay Daily Post (newspaper)1933-1997
- Lindsay Post (newspaper)1998-2013
- Fenelon Gazette (newspaper)
- Beaverton Express (newspaper)
- Peterborough Examiner/Dispatch/Review (newspaper)
- Ontario Civil Registration Indexes
- Peter Robinson Settlers Returns and Land Grants
- Assessments
- Census Records
- A transcription of the index for the Peterborough County and Lindsay area inquests covering years from the 1840\’s to the 1930\’s
- Land record collections for Ops Township and for the Peter Robinson Settlers
- The Surrogate Court Index for Peterborough and Victoria Counties
- Transcriptions of Marriage Registrations for various parts of Ontario from 1792-1900
- The Mariposa Census of 1839
- McCarty Jewellers Marriage License Records, Lindsay Sept 1905-1921
- Pioneer Businesses and Proprietors. This is a collection of photos and clippings relating to some of the first businesses and business owners in the local area
Finding Your Canadian Story 
Great post Candice! Love to see Libraries highlighted, such a unique resource and genealogists sometimes need a reminder to consider what they may have available. Libraries struggle to keep the doors open and need all the footfall they can get!
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Thanks Penny. Public libraries are indeed a forgotten resource. They are full of surprises! And for the frugal genealogist, you won't get better value for your money.
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