How to Use and Research at the City of Ottawa Archives

Welcome to the City of Ottawa Archives  Whether you are searching for family history, determining the history behind your heritage home or are just curious about Ottawa’s past, this is your guide to accessing and researching at the archives.

What is in the collection? You’ve come to the right place. Over 20 km of records are held in our climate controlled vault, including additional records stored at our Rideau Branch and Gloucester Branch, and off-site storage locations. Here you draw upon an overwhelming array of resources – from 2.5 million photographs, 1,500 documentary art pieces, 1,200 maps, plans and architectural drawings, and over a 100 linear feet of artifacts.

How is the collection organized? The Archives identifies, acquires, organizes, preserves and describes Ottawa civic government records (corporate) as well as private sector records (community) of individuals, community groups, and businesses within the City of Ottawa.

Corporate records encompass records of the new City of Ottawa, as well as the 12 former municipalities, the Ottawa Public Library, Police Services and OC Transpo. Some of the holdings include: original by-laws, original minutes of Council and Committees of Council, assessment rolls, historical maps, historical photographs of major civic events, historical plans of major structures, and more.

Community records enhance our understanding of the history and evolution of Ottawa. Some examples from more than 350 collections include the Billings, Lett and Ogilvy family papers and records from the United Church of Canada and Royal Ottawa Sanitarium (now Royal Ottawa Hospital). The community records holdings include textual and electronic records, rare books, historical publications, maps, plans, microfilms, films, photographs, postcards, documentary art, and corporate memorabilia.

Our passionate staff will help you succeed with your research goals. Begin your researching journey with the City of Ottawa Archives today!