Visit the George and Helen Jackson Heritage Room on the second floor of the Library to browse our unique collection of local history resources. Our collection includes local documents, family records, maps, cemetery guides, municipal publications, artifacts and much more.
Digital Collection
The Library has recently launched this new digital collection to provide access to a variety of items including vital statistics, newspaper articles, photographs, and more. We are continually adding new records on a regular basis.
For complete instructions on how to search and locate items in the digital collection, please see our handy Local History Resource Guide. Additional information about our Local History Collection and terms of use may be found in our Local History Brochure.
Newspapers: Print and Microfilm
The library has an incomplete collection of local newspapers on microfilm, as well as census records from as far back as 1861. You can check this material out of the collection for use on our microfilm reader, located in the Local History room. The microfilm reader will also print copies for a fee of 10 cents per black and white page (30 cents for colour).
The newspaper records date back to 1854 with the Bradford Chronicle, South Simcoe Times (later News), Herald, Witness, Witness and South Simcoe News, Bradford Witness, Bradford Weekly, Bradford Gazette, Bradford Times and Bradford Topic all accessible. To check if a specific issue is available, please email lhistory@bradford.library.on.ca or look through our Microfilm Index Collection for a complete record of our microfilm holdings. All newspapers in our microfilm collection that are not in the public domain are under copyright through Torstar Syndication and Metroland Media.
Copyright and Intellectual Property for local newspaper content
Torstar Syndication and Metroland newspapers seek to eliminate the unauthorized use of its copyrighted digital images and content on social media and other digital channels that may appear to be personal brands, channels or URLs, but in fact are monetizing Metroland content to drive digital traffic, engagement, merchandizing, and promotion without paying the appropriate licensing fees to Torstar Syndication for these commercial uses. ChatGPT, data mining and other AI companies are not licensed to use Metroland text content and images. For more details, please contact Torstar Syndication at syndicate@torstar.com on the planned digital uses, whether personal and non-commercial or commercial.
Vital Statistics
The digital collection includes over 2,500 vital statistics records comprising birth, death and marriage notices from local newspapers and other official sources. You may access, and search directly by visiting the Vital Statistics Collection.
A number of items are also available in digital format and can be found using the search function at the top of this page. Local History Collection material can be found within this local history database or by using the Library catalogue. Archival items such as the Family Files, information on settlements, and maps are not listed in the catalogue, but can be accessed with the assistance of a staff member.
Due to the irreplaceable nature of the material found in our Local History Collection, you will need to leave ID with the librarian to use this material in the library. These items are not available for loan. Staff at the Information Services Desk on the 1st floor will assist you with accessing the Local History Collection.
Personal Use Only
Patrons are welcome to use the information contained within the database for personal research and study. Commercial use of items found within is strictly prohibited. Reproduction of any digital content contained in our database must be requested through the submission of a Request for Reproduction Form . The completed form may be sent via email to lhistory@bradford.library.on.ca or dropped off at the Borrower Services Desk.
All newspaper images and clippings from local Bradford and South Simcoe papers that are not in the public domain are under copyright by Torstar Syndication and Metroland media. All requests for use of this material should be sent to syndicate@torstar.com.
System Availability
Please note that the digital archive will be unavailable each morning between 12:00 am and 1:00 am for regularly scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience.