Also, by preserving records that document important municipal policies, programmes decisions. allocations, functions, and activities, the Archives ensures the availability of documentary resources for legal and administrative purposes, and long-term reference and planning needs of City Staff; at the same time, by maintaining these records, it helps to protect the I rights of residents by acting as an instrument of public accountability I and open government.

The Archives is also the official records repository for:

The Woodbridge Agricultural Society
The Vaughan Township Historical Society
The Burwick, Vellore, and Maple Women's Institutes

What are the Archives?

• Municipal records such as By-Laws, Council Minutes, Assessment Rolls, Birth, Marriage and Death Registers, Voters' Lists, and generally documents detailing significant municipal policies, decisions, and activities.
• Historic photographs documenting changing landscapes and architecture, leisure and work, personalities, and special events.
• Maps, plans, and architectural drawings from the 1850's to the 1980's.
• Records of local organizations past and present.
• Papers of individual residents, or former residents, and families that shed light on their experience in the community and the area's history generally: diaries, journals, logs, letters, family histories, mementoes, etc.
• Unpublished histories and studies.
• Land records dating back to the 1790's
• Newspapers and directories
• Census
• Business and church records
• Photographs
• Education records
• and much, much more....
• View examples of archival material

Who uses the City Archives?

Everyone! City of Vaughan staff, teachers, archaeologists, lawyers, urban planners, lanscape artists, real estate agents, administrators, high school and university students, local historians, and people seekeing information about their family or property, and many others.  The Archives is not limited to Vaughan residents; research requests have been handled from as far afield as Germany and Australia.

Facilities and Services available

• Research and reading area
• Microfilm/fiche reader/printer
• Reproduction services
• Local history library/reference files
• Professional reference staff to advise and assist
• Two hours free research service for those unable to attend the Archives
• Limited seminars/workshops to local interest groups, schools, libraries, etc. regarding local history, geneology, conservation issues, current state of acrhival standards and practices, etc.

The Archives is interested in you!

In order to preserve the City of Vaughan's heritage for future generations, and to provide a cultural resource for the present, the Archives requires the records of Vaughan residents and organizations.  We are particularly interested in pre-1945 photographs, maps, diaries, letters, church and business and organizational records.  Records may be donated or loaned for copying.  The Archives provides a secure climatically controlled environment, and conservation measures to ensure longevity.  Many records will become the treasures of our future, and will enrich the lives of others for generations to come.

Donating Records to the Archives

Organizational Records
Personal & Family Records

City of Vaughan Archives
E-Mail us at: archives@city.vaughan.on.ca
Mailing Address: City of Vaughan Civic Centre
City of Vaughan Archives
City Clerk's Department
2141 Major Mackenzie Drive
Vaughan, Ontario
L6A 1T1
Location:
City Hall
Level 000
2141 Major Mackenzie Drive
Vaughan
L6A 1T1

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