Local History Branch

The Local History Branch showcases the rich and diverse heritage and culture of Windsor and provides an important visual connection to bygone eras. It will be particularly popular with local authors, genealogists, historians and others interested in the history of Windsor and Essex County. Information dates back to the late 1700’s, and include newspapers, magazines, photographs, city directories, yearbooks, and a rich collection of published material on the history of Windsor and era. The multi-media collection includes paper documents (journals, letters, diaries), posters, audio tapes and ephemera. Some of the resources at the LOCAL HISTORY BRANCH include: Newspapers: Detroit, Amherstburg, many other Essex County towns, Windsor Star (1893- ), the Globe & Mail (1844-2016) School Yearbooks: from 38 different schools, including Herman, Riverside, Brennan, Massey, Assumption, and now-closed schools like Patterson and Guppy Commercial, as well as selected University of Windsor, Assumption College, and St. Clair College yearbooks and school histories. WPL relies on donations of yearbooks from the public to expand our collection, and is always grateful to receive more. Company annual reports: e.g., Hiram Walker, Detroit-Canada Bridge company Directories: Farmer’s, City and County street directories, Manufacturer’s directories The Branch also contains a wide variety of genealogical resources, including census records, BMD (birth, marriage, death) records, passenger lists, church registers, cemetery listings and baptismal records. The holdings of the Essex County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society are housed in the Branch as well as our own resources. View our video on Local History at WPL.

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