Uncovering Our Military Past
Behind every military record is a person with a story to tell. Some served overseas, while others played important roles here at home. Their experiences are part of our shared history—and perhaps your family’s history, too.
Burlington Public Library has resources to help you trace an ancestor’s military service, learn about life in Burlington during wartime, and piece together stories from the past.
BPL Resources
Your starting point for military research and genealogy at BPL.
Digital Collections
The Burlington Digital Archive contains a variety of digitized records and publications that document local experiences during wartime:
A Book of Remembrance – This book was created in remembrance for the 21 Burlington Central High School students killed during World War II and includes biographies for each.
Return to Normandy: A Flyer’s Remembrance – Former Burlington mayor Lloyd Berryman was a veteran Flight Lieutenant of World War II, notably during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. This book includes information on his wartime experience and his attendance at the 60th Anniversary of D-Day in 2004.
World War II Residents of Burlington Who Lost Their Lives While in Active Service – This compilation of newspaper articles documents Burlington residents who lost their lives while in active service during World War II.
Subject Searches – Interested in browsing all archival material related to military history? Click on the “Browse All” tab of the Burlington Digital Archive, then use the “Subject” filter on the left side to filter by “Military,” “Navy,” “War,” or other areas of interest.
Military parade along Brant Street. Burlington Digital Archive
Ancestry Library Edition
Ancestry.ca Library Edition is an essential resource for researching military service records and family history. The database includes draft records, service records, pension records, military histories, and more. Records may include details such as physical description, residence, enlistment, discharge data, pension and more.
To connect, go to RESOURCES on the library website, then Learning & Research > Reference & Research. You can use Ancestry.ca Library Edition inside any library branch. Read our helpful tips to Use Ancestry.ca Like a Pro
Newspapers
Beyond reporting on military campaigns and global conflicts, newspapers capture how wars affected local communities and provide historical context for understanding the events and experiences of past generations. Newspaper articles may also contain details about individual service members, including enlistments, deployments, injuries, honours and more.
The Burlington Gazette and Hamilton Spectator are available at Central Library on microfilm, and cover wartime news from the late 1800s onwards. The Burlington Post, available on Newspapers.com with your library card number and PIN, provides more recent history starting from 1968.
Other Resources
These online resources offer a wealth of historical military information.
Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada maintains an extensive collection of records and resources on military and war history. Research guides are available to help you understand where information is available.
Visit Library and Archives Canada’s Military History page.
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum’s Military History Research Centre includes national collections of primary and secondary research material documenting Canada’s military history from the colonial period to present.
Visit the Research Centre’s web page to get access to online search tools, finding aids, and more.
Veterans Affairs Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada maintains information on Canada’s military history. Through their website, you can learn more about Canadian military operations, peacekeeping missions, domestic security, and disaster relief.
Visit the Military History web page for fascinating stories and facts.
We Can Help
Every family story starts somewhere. Not sure where to begin your research? Our Local History & Digital Archive Coordinator can suggest some first steps to get your research underway.
Main image: Ethel Cutter on leave in France, 1918. Burlington Historical Society, Burlington Digital Archive
