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The EHS Library contains many of the principle sources for St. Thomas - Elgin history. Acknowledgment to the Elgin Archives and Internet Archives for preserving and digitizing these texts. These books contain our history. If you want to know how our communities came to be, and meet the people that built them, they are waiting to meet you in the volumes below.

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Title Author/Publisher Year Published Sort descending
The Life of Colonel, The Late Honorable Thomas Talbot, Embracing the Rise and Progress of the Counties of Norfolk, Elgin, Middle
L. C. Kearny
1856

The earliest biography of Col Thomas Talbot written by newspaperman and outspoken Reformer, L. C. Kearny. The latter half of the book includes descriptions of the towns and villages scarred through the Talbot Settlement

Thomas Talbot, Elgin County
Life of Colonel Talbot, and the Talbot settlement
Edward Ermatinger
1859

Full title, "Life of Colonel Talbot, and the Talbot settlement, its rise and progress, with sketches of the public characters, and career of some of the most conspicuous men in Upper Canada"

This is the second biography of Thomas Talbot written by his friend and political ally, Edward Ermatinger.

Thomas Talbot, Talbot Settlement
Biographical sketches of some of the residents of Elgin County
Art Pub Co
1885

A collection of short biographies of residents of Elgin County

Elgin County
Historical Sketches of Elgin
Elgin Historical Society
1895

Contains three stories related to Elgin County history by members of the Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute including a history of the Neutral Indians by James Coyne.

First Nations, Pioneer Life, Elgin County
Courthouse of a Century
Elgin Historical Society
1901

This Elgin Historical Society publication follows the early history of Courthouses in Southwestern Ontario. Compiled by K.W. McKay with an introduction by James Coyne.

Elgin Historical Society, Elgin County
Record of the Celebration of the Centenary of the Talbot Settlement
Elgin Historical Society
1903

A record of the 100th Anniversary celebrations of Col Thomas Talbot's arrival at Port Talbot, signalling the beginning of the Talbot Settlement.

Talbot Settlement
Exploration of the Great Lakes, 1669-1670
James Coyne
1903

Exploration of the Great Lakes, 1669-1670 / by Dollier de Casson and de Bréchant de Galinée ; Galinées narrative and map with an English version, including all the map- legends ... translator and editor James H. Coyne

First Nations
The Talbot Regime: Or, The First Half Century of the Talbot Settlement
C. O. Ermatinger
1904

Life of Col Talbot written by EHS Co Founder, Judge Charles Oakes Ermatinger. It is a revision and expansion of his father, Edward's, Life of Col. Talbot.

Thomas Talbot, Talbot Settlement
YWCA St. Thomas Cookbook, 1908
YWCA St. Thomas
1908

Collection of recipes from the women of the YWCA in St. Thomas.

Food, Service Clubs
Reminiscences of Early Settlers & other records
Elgin Historical Society
1911

Statements and records relating to the early years of St. Thomas, Elgin County and the Talbot Settlement

Elgin County, St. Thomas, Pioneer Life
Vernons City of St Thomas Directory, 1916
Henry Vernon & Son
1916

Street directory for City of St. Thomas, 1916

St. Thomas
Vernons City of St Thomas Directory, 1917
Henry Vernon & Son
1917

Street directory for City of St. Thomas, 1917

St. Thomas
Vernons City of St Thomas Directory, 1919
Henry Vernon & Son
1919

Street directory for City of St. Thomas, 1919

St. Thomas
Vernons City of St Thomas Directory, 1922
Henry Vernon & Son
1922

Street directory for City of St. Thomas, 1922

St. Thomas
1881 and Onward Reminiscences of St. Thomas and Elgin County Half a Century Ago
James Brierly
1931
The reminiscences of Brierley were first published in The St. Thomas Times- Journal, Brierley was also owner of The St. Thomas Journal (until 1905)
Source : Elgin County Archives https://heritagecollections.elgin.ca/link/archives4911
St. Thomas, Newspapers
Sim's History of Elgin, Vol 1
Hugh Sims
1984

Encyclopedia format history of the communities of Elgin County.

Source: Elgin County Archives

Elgin County
Sim's History of Elgin, Vol 2
Hugh Sims
1986

Encyclopedia format history of the communities of Elgin County.

Source: Elgin County Archives

Elgin County
Sim's History of Elgin, Vol 3
Hugh Sims
1988

Encyclopedia format history of the communities of Elgin County.

Source: Elgin County Archives

Elgin County
Garrett Oakes, Tales of a Pioneer
Garrett Oakes
1991

A collection of newspaper columns written by pioneer, Garrett Oakes in the late 19th century. Edited for the St. Thomas Public Library in 1990 by George Thorman & Frank Clarke

Pioneer Life, Elgin County