Research
Our staff support over 450 research inquiries annually. We are excited to help you explore our collection of over 54,000 items, which hold fascinating stories of the place we call Guelph.
Research questions and requests for digital images can be directed to Laura Coady, Collections and Research Coordinator, at 519-836-1221 x 2776 or [email protected].
Online Resources
Explore the collection through the Online Collections Database. Popular research resources available through the online database include:
Maps
The collection holds over 270 maps, surveys, and street guides created throughout Guelph’s history. View the Map Collection here. Higher quality digital files or in-person viewings of specific maps can be requested.
Fire Insurance Plans
Fire plans were created by insurance companies. They provide detailed information about buildings and neighbourhoods over time. Three Fire Insurance Plans in the collection are viewable online:
- 1892
- 1897, updated 1907 and 1916
- 1929
- 1922, updated 1946 – Reproduction Copy (only available for viewing in person at the Guelph Civic Museum)
- 1960 – Reproduction Copy (only available for viewing in person at the Guelph Civic Museum)
Aerial Photographs
Between the late 1940s and the early 1960s, photographers documented the changing cityscape from airplanes. View over 300 black and white aerial photographs here.
Search Terms
Search Terms tagged in the Online Database include any business, company, park, school, street name, place, or event in Guelph. Click here to see an alphabetical list of search terms identified within the collection.
Onsite Resources
Onsite research visits are available at the Guelph Civic Museum, located at 52 Norfolk Street, by appointment. The average appointment is 1 hour in duration, but longer appointments are available by request.
To book an appointment, contact Laura Coady, Collections and Research Coordinator, at 519-836-1221 x 2776 or [email protected].
City Directories
Directories place people and businesses in the city at specific points in time. Street directories also help to locate residences and businesses. Guelph Museums holds a selection of City Directories published between 1873 and 2012.
Yearbooks
See available yearbooks here. The collection holds over 100 yearbooks from various schools and organizations in Guelph, including:
- Bishop Macdonell High School
- Central Public School
- Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute
- Guelph General Hospital Nursing School
- Guelph Horticultural Society
- James Junior High School
- John F. Ross High School
- Joseph’s School of Nursing
- Ontario Agricultural College
- Royal Canadian Legion – Colonel John McCrae Memorial Branch
Reference Library
The museum holds a reference library containing over 1,000 items, including texts exploring local histories, copies of Historic Guelph, Ontario history, Canadian military history, and information about select artifacts.
The Reference Library is a non-circulating library. Please make a research appointment to explore the Reference Library onsite at the Guelph Civic Museum.
Reference Files
The files contain miscellaneous newspaper clippings, family trees, research papers, notes, timelines, and some photographs, that have been gathered over time. The files are organized by local topics, businesses, and family names. Community members and researchers can visit the Museum to review and add to the research files.
Other Resources
Lt. Col. John McCrae Finding Aid – This finding aid explores resources about the history and legacy of Lt. Col. John McCrae.
Local Assessment Records – The Guelph Public Library archives hold property assessment rolls dating from 1852 to 1898.
Local Newspapers – The Guelph Public Library holds the most complete collection of local historic newspapers.
Couling Index – The Couling Index of historic buildings is available online through the Guelph Public Library’s page on Archieon.
Find A Grave – Inscriptions from most of the local cemeteries are indexed and searchable through findagrave.com.
Wellington County Museum and Archives – The Wellington County Museum and Archives also holds a large collection of materials related to the Guelph community.
