Heritage & Statistics

Discover St. Thomas and Elgin County's rich heritage and local history. The resources listed below will assist you in exploring the roots of this fascinating area.

The Elgin County Archives is the official repository of records of the County of Elgin since its incorporation in 1852 as well as those of its current and former constituent municipalities. The Archives also houses a number of private collections documenting the County's history and prominant citizens.
Website: http://www.elgin.ca

The Elgin County Library has long prided itself on its support of local history and genealogy. There is a rich research collection available at the Elgin County Library Headquarters. Please see the directory listing on the right of this page for information on library branch locations.

The George Thorman Room consists of materials pertaining to the history of St. Thomas, Elgin County and the surrounding area. The collection includes the library holdings of the Elgin County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, as well as the holdings of the St. Thomas Public Library. An extensive collection of newspapers, census information, family histories, cemetery indexes and a variety of other materials are available. Whether you are researching the history of a place, business or family the George Thorman Room is the place to start.

The George Thorman Room is located on the second floor of the St. Thomas Public Library. Local history materials are not allowed to circulate but photocopying is permitted.
http://www.elginogs.ca/

The Elgin County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is a branch of a non-profit organization of people who share interest in genealogy and family history. The Branch was first organized in March 1982 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in March 2002. The Elgin OGS can assist you in discovering your roots in Elgin by offering resources such as: Elgin history, Newspapers, Cemetary Listings, Vital Records, and much more.

For a Walking Tour of Historic Homes and Buildings - Contact the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC)