By mandate and tradition, the Manitoba Legislative Library preserves and makes accessible heritage material about Manitoba, thus ensuring a lasting legacy for all Manitobans. Two major collections used extensively by historical and genealogical researchers from Manitoba and abroad are as follows:

Manitoba Newspapers

The Library receives all newspapers currently published in Manitoba and has the most extensive historical collection of Manitoba newspapers published since 1859. Most have been microfilmed and are available on interlibrary loan to those who are unable to visit the Library. The Manitoba Newspaper Checklist, 1859-1986, available in the Library and at most libraries in Manitoba, identifies the titles and issues held.

The Information Portal can quickly locate all the titles of newspapers published in Manitoba since the 1850's. Do a subject keyword search using "newspapers" and the name of the village, city or municipality.

For more information about specific titles and holdings of Manitoba newspapers please contact the Main Library at 200 Vaughan.

Many people use newspapers to access death, birth and marriage announcements. Getting specific dates from sources such as the Vital Statistics Branch before consulting the newspapers can save time and effort. Contact Vital Statistics Branch at its web site.

Manitoba Community and Family Histories

The Library has a large collection of local histories from municipalities and communities throughout the province, as well as biography and history scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, and vertical files. A number of guides for genealogical research from the reference collection and a listing of recently published Manitoba histories may help you become familiar with some Manitoban and Canadian sources. You will find the list in the portal's tab "About the Library".

The most complete collection of materials published in Manitoba is housed at 200 Vaughan. Under provincial legislation, Manitoba publishers deposit their publications with the Library. Prairie people and perspectives reflects the historical importance of titles received and the continuing cooperation of Manitoba publishers with the Library's legal deposit program. These items can be used for family research as well as Manitoba history.

The Information Portal can quickly locate all the titles on community and family history. Do a subject keyword search using the proper name of the village, municipality, or family and "history" to retrieve useful records. A listing of recently published Manitoba histories can be retrieved from the tab "About the Library" in the information portal.

Contact the Main Library at 200 Vaughan for more information about specific titles and holdings of community and family histories not indexed in our online catalogue.