Local Histories and Other Print Resources - Indigenous & Métis
Local histories can be a great resource for filling in many different types of family history details. Local histories can have detailed information about the people who lived there, including photos and biographies. Also important to note, some local history books will also have a bibliography section that can point readers to additional information about the community.
Online
Many local community histories can be found online, and some are even downloadable.
Our Family History Department has many books pertaining to indigenous genealogy, history, and research. A few examples here:
Hanowski, Laura. 2006. Tracing Your Aboriginal Ancestors in the Prairie Provinces. Regina, SK, Saskatchewan Genealogy Association Library call number: 929.10720712 TRA 2006
Duff, Wilson 1959. Histories, Territories, and Laws of the Kitwancool. Victoria, BC, BC Provincial Museum Department of Education. Library call number: 970.3 DUFF 1959
Leon, Shirley, and Sharon Syrette. 2021. Courage to Speak; Honouring Ancestors Voices. Victoria, BC, Aboriginal Genealogy Association. Library call number: 497.3 LEO 2021
Faux, David Kenneth. 2002. Understanding Ontario First Nations Genealogical Records: Sources and Case Studies. Toronto, Ontario Genealogical Society. Library call number – 929.3713 FAU 2002
Our Department also has many local histories for towns in Canada, especially western Canada. While most of these books focus on European settlers, indigenous people local to the area are also often included. To see if the library has a history of a particular town or area, look in the library catalogue using “Subject browse” and terms: [your research province] – History. You may also want to browse the bookshelves in the call number area of GEN 971. Some examples:
Hope and District Historical Society. Forging a New Hope: Struggles and Dreams 1848 – 1948. Library call number GEN 971.13 FOR
Loosmore, W.S.B. To Trail’s End: Early Settlement in Drayton Valley. Library call number: GEN 971.233 LOO 1994
Noel, Oliver. A Pictorial History of St. Paul [des Metis] and District. Library call number: GEN 971.233 NOE 1979
Neepawa History Book Committee. Heritage: A History of the Town of Neepawa and District as Told and Recorded by its People Library call number: GEN 971.272 HER 1983
Forgotten Echoes Historical Society. Forgotten Echoes: A History of Blackfoot and Surrounding Area. Library call number: GEN 971.23 FOR 1982
Pearson, John. 1960. Land of the Royal Kwantlen: a history of North Surrey, BC. Library call number: GEN 971.133 PEA 1960
Thornton, Mildred V. 2000. Buffalo People: Portraits of a Vanishing Nation. Delta, BC, Hancock House. Library call number: GEN 971.200497 THO 2000
Morin, Gail. 2001. Metis Families: a genealogical compendium. 2001/2016 (11 volumes). North Charleston, SC, CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Library call number GEN 929.37127 MOR 2001
Faux, David K. 2002. Understanding Ontario First Nations Genealogical Records: sources and case studies. Toronto, Ontario Genealogical Society. Library call number: GEN 929.3713 FAU 2002