The Museum has many resources that are useful to researchers of both genealogy and family history.

• Hours of Operation
• Resources
• Levels of Service
• Directory of Resources
• For More Information/Bookings

HOURS OF OPERATION

Research Area is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., by appointment only.

$10 per person per hour for un-assisted research. 

RESOURCES

Secondary Resources include: family files of accumulated research on specific families that have lived in Markham Township; memorial inscriptions (to ca. 1940) taken from local cemeteries; Markham newspapers on microfilm (indexed for births, deaths and marriages from 1856 to ca.1940); copy of St. Philip's Lutheran Church registers (1766-1913); census records on microfilm (1851 to 1901); abstract index of deeds (late 1700's to ca. 1900); published books (including genealogies); subject files relating to historical events and organizations.

Primary Resources include: Wideman Collection of genealogical research covering over 1500 family groups; municipal assessment and collector's rolls; documentary artifacts including diaries, deeds, ledgers, personal correspondence; directories; published books; photographs.

LEVELS OF SERVICE

We offer three levels of service to researchers:

1. Self-Directed Visiting Researcher: The researcher is provided with access to the Museum's secondary resources and conducts his/her own searches. Staff will be available to briefly familiarize the researcher with Museum resources and to assist with photocopying. Appointments are necessary.
   
   Fee: $10.00 per hour
   
   
2. Visiting Researcher With Curatorial Assistance: The researcher is provided with access to primary resources through the assistance of our curatorial staff. Appointments should be arranged in advance to ensure that the Museum has resources that will assist the researcher and, if so, to ensure that space and appropriate staff are available to retrieve materials from our archives.
   
   Fee: $20.00 for two hours.
   
   
3. Corresponding Researcher: We offer two levels of service to researchers who are unable to visit the Museum personally:
   
   
   • Initial Review: A staff member will review our finding aids to both primary and secondary sources of genealogical information and report to you on any listings found for your specific subject, within the time frame provided. For details on any such listings, directed research would then be required.
     
     Fee: $15.00, payable in advance.
     
     
   • Directed Research: A staff member will devote up to two hours conducting research on a specific subject. A customized written report of our findings will be provided. Correspondents who make use of this service are encouraged to direct our work by providing us with any specific questions that they would like answered.
     
     Fee: $35.00 per two hours, payable in advance.

Markham Museum offers photograph prints, photocopies and microfilm printouts of our archival collection. Our photograph collection cannot be photocopied but print duplicates are available (a photograph price list is available upon request). According to the Canadian Copyright Act, copies of documents and images are for personal research and study only, and the researcher is responsible for obtaining copyright for publication.

For more information or to book an appointment, contact Curatorial Services at 905-294-4576.

DIRECTORY OF RESOURCES

Visiting Researchers and Corresponding Researchers are invited to take advantage of the many resources which are available at the Markham Museum for both genealogists and family historians.

The following principal resources are accessible to Visiting Researchers either on a Self-Directed (SD) basis, or with Curatorial Assistance (CA). Corresponding Researchers gain full access through our pre-paid Initial Review or Directed Research services.

Each resource is briefly described, together with its level of access to Visiting Researchers.

Family Files - Accumulated research provided by Museum patrons including genealogical data and correspondence pertaining to specific families that have lived in Markham Township. Access is alphabetical by surname (SD). View Listing of Family Files by Surname

Published & Unpublished Genealogies - Genealogical and historical data compiled on many local Markham surnames. Access is alphabetical by surname (SD).

Wideman Collection - Over 1500 descendant family trees, plus supporting research materials, compiled by Norman Wideman for his 1955 book on the Wideman Family. Numerous local surnames are represented, with information on some family groups going back to the 18th century, or earlier.
Access to finding aids (SD), family trees (CA) and research materials (CA).

Notices of Births, Marriages & Deaths - Most issues of the Markham newspaper are available on microfilm at the Museum. Our index covers the period from 1856 (first publication) to approximately 1940. Access to alphabetical surname index (SD) and microfilm (CA).

Birth, Marriage & Death Records (1766-1913), St. Philip's Lutheran Church, Unionville - The Museum has a copy of the Registers for this congregation, which was formed at the end of the 18th century. Many early Markham settlers, particularly the Berczy Settlers, are mentioned.
Access is without finding aid (SD).

Early Marriages in the Home District - This index was prepared from early church registers available at the Archives of Ontario, and elsewhere. It lists only those marriages considered to be of local interest and covers the period from early 1800's to about 1850.
Access is alphabetical by surname (SD).

Index to York County Marriages, 1858-1869 - This index was compiled from County marriage registers. The original records are held elsewhere. Access is alphabetical by surname (SD).

Thornhill & Area Obituaries - This data spans the period from 1831 to 1987. Sourced selectively from local newspapers, these obituaries are in the form of either clippings, excerpts or summaries. Access is alphabetical by surname (SD).

Memorial Inscriptions - Published and unpublished works derived from tombstone inscriptions at churches and private burial sites in Markham Township, with a few from bordering townships. Access is by alphabetical surname index and location (SD).

Abstract Index of Deeds - The abstracts cover properties in Markham Township from original Crown patent (ca. 1790's) to approximately the end of the 19th century. Access is by alphabetical surname index, then Concession and Lot Numbers (SD).

Berczy Census, 1803 - This private census is the earliest available for residents of Markham Township. Access is by Concession and Lot Numbers (SD).

Directories - The Museum has various commercial or head of household directories for York County, Markham Township and the village of Markham covering the period from 1837 to 1967. Access is by date, name & place (SD).

Township Census Records - Official government census records are available on microfilm at the Museum for the years listed. Access is by year, then alphabetically by surname (SD) referencing location on the microfilm (CA).

The Beaver (Canada's History Magazine) - October 1920 to Winter 1976 on microfilm (SD).

Published Books - Many potentially relevant published works are available, including township histories and the book "Markham: 1793-1900". Access is by author, title & subject or by call number (SD).

Subject Files - The Museum has numerous Subject files encompassing local events, sports, civic, religious and industrial activities. Access is alphabetical by subject (SD).

Town & Village Histories, Maps - The Museum has numerous files pertaining to local hamlets and villages, including maps and plans. Access is alphabetical by place (SD).

Municipal Assessment Rolls, Collector's Rolls & Voter's Lists - These documentary artifacts cover the period from mid-19th to early-20th century. Access is by subject index (SD) and archival storage location (CA).

Miscellaneous Documentary Artifacts - This large category of documentary artifacts includes Deeds, Ledgers, Diaries, Journals & Photographs. Access is by subject index (SD) and archival storage location (CA).

A Page from H.W. Peterson's diary, February 5, 1841.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information or to book an appointment, please contact:

Research Facility
9350 Highway 48, Markham, Ontario, L3P 3J3
tel: 905-294-4576
fax: 905-294-4590
email: researchfacility@markham.ca