If you're interested in the stories and genealogies of the Canadian prairies, you'll find what you need here, with links to census records, historical documents, newspapers, and information about local collections.

Prairie History Collection

The Prairie History Collection is located at Central Library in Regina. It contains over 11,000 items representing the history of Regina, Saskatchewan, and the prairie provinces. This specialized collection of community history and genealogical materials focuses on the history and peoples of the Northern Great Plains (Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan) from pre-settlement times to the present day.

Materials from this collection can only be viewed and used at Central Library. Most of the materials are located on the main floor and can be easily accessed. 

Some specialized items from the Prairie History Collection are only available on request and with a library card. To request an item, ask a staff member at the Central Library service desk. Staff will retrieve the item for your use inside the library. 

Other local collections

Regina Public Library Web Archive Collection
The purpose of our Web Archive collection is to preserve and provide access to web materials that document under-represented and historically significant groups in the city of Regina and the province of Saskatchewan. The complete listings can be found on our Archive-it landing page. Our collections include:

Regina local history Treaty 4 Peoples Regina Pride

 

City of Regina Archives 150 Stories Oral History Project

An Oral History Project to support ongoing reconciliation efforts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Visit www.trc.ca and learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s findings and the 94 Calls to Action.

Canadian historical documents

Peel’s Prairie Provinces
Find thousands of original documents relating to the Prairie Provinces, hosted by the University of Alberta.

Frontier Life
For those interested in history and genealogy. Original source material covering 1650 to 1920 that includes access to maps, photos and diaries, as well as some coverage of the Indigenous experience in Canada.

Henderson’s Directories
Find addresses of citizens and businesses dating back to 1905.

Explore History
Detailed coverage of many topics, with access to photos, maps and newspapers. One of its featured collections is the Indigenous Peoples of North America.

Canadiana.ca
Hosted by the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN), this website preserves Canada’s document heritage since 1978.

Newspapers

Canadian Major Dailies
Access many of Canada’s top national and regional newspapers in full-text digital format.

Historic Leader-Post
Fully searchable PDF scan of the entire newspaper, including obituaries. From its earliest days as The Regina Leader, right up to the Leader-Post we know today.

Also available through the Explore History portal:

• The Times Digital Archive, 1785-2014
• The Economist Historical Archive, 1843-2015
• The Sunday Times Historical Archive, 1822-2016

Genealogy

Ancestry Library Edition
One of the most complete genealogy collections available today. Access from any Regina Public Library location.

Heritage Quest
Provides similar genealogy resources as Ancestry Library Edition with coverage dating back as early as the 1700s. Access from home.

MemorySask
A database of descriptions of archival material held in Saskatchewan archives. It is a work in progress, with new descriptions being added regularly. Check out the Digital Objects collection of scanned items.