Research & Archives (By Appointment Only)
The Ridge House Museum maintains an archival collection that includes documents, correspondence, and photographs. The museum also has a collection of research and reference material pertaining to local history.
The archival and research resources are accessible to the public by appointment only from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
The Ridge House Museum staff will also undertake research requests for a fee of $15/half hour (first 15 minutes FREE) and will copy photographic material by request (prices vary according to size and quality). Our fee schedule can be accessed by clicking the link at the right.
Reproductions
If you are interested in acquiring reproductions of archival materials in the Ridge House Museum collection, the process is outlined below. Please note that it can take four to eight weeks for the process to be completed and for you to receive your reproductions.
1. Contact us about available reproduction options and the reproduction fee schedule.
2. Contact museum with the following information if it is available:
the images you are interested in receiving reproductions for,
the type and size of reproduction,
your proposed use of the images,
the method by which you would like to receive the reproductions (ie. digital files can be emailed or transferred at no additional cost, paper copies can be picked up at the museum at no additional cost, or paper copies can be mailed at cost)
3. The museum will send you a reproduction agreement including the cost for your reproductions and intended use. You should review the agreement as it outlines your legal responsibilities pertaining to the reproductions you will receive.
4. Return the signed reproduction agreement and payment to the museum. Payment options include cash, debit, or credit at the museum or credit over the phone. The museum administrative staff is generally available 9AM-5PM Monday to Friday to process payments.
5. Museum staff will send you the reproductions
Other Community Resources
Many other community groups and local organizations also provide value information pertaining to local history.
Genealogical |
Archives of Ontario | births 1869-1916, marriages c. 1801-1931, deaths 1869-1941 |
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CK Cemeteries | "Find a Stone" listing of stones in Maple Leaf & St. Anthony's Cemeteries & Memorial Field |
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Ontario Genealogical Society, Kent Branch | local genealogical information, research can be performed for you at a cost |
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Ontario Genealogical Society, Essex Branch | local genealogical information, queries can be researched for you at a cost |
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Chatham Kent Black Mecca Museum | genealogical and census records, original photographs, military records, newspaper articles and land registries relating to Chatham-Kent's Black population |
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Buxton National Historic Site | personal histories and genealogies of the original settlers of the Elgin Settlement and their descendants |
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Tilbury & District Historical Society | genealogical research group for the Tilbury, ON area, located in a renovated log house |
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Marsh Historical Collection | local history & genealogical research, Amherstburg area |
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Library and Archives Canada | immigration records, military records, aboriginal ancestry |
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Pier 21 | immigration to Canada from 1928 to 1971 |
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints | family history records, direction for performing family history research |
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Ancestry Library Edition | access to family history via documents including records such as census and voter lists, birth, marriage and death, military, immigration and emigration, available through the
Chatham-Kent Public Library
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Local History |
Chatham-Kent Public Library digitized collection | directories, almanacs, municipal documents, Kent Historical Society publications, books by local authors |
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Thames Art Gallery digitized collection | the collection represents the work of visual artists relevant to the development of Chatham-Kent's art history and contemporary Canadian artists from Southwestern Ontario |
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Sports Hall of Fame | information on Hall of Fame inductees |
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Agricultural Hall of Fame
| information on Hall of Fame inductees |
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Land Registry Office
| Remote Online Search Capability Ontario kiosk workstations provide access to the Government of Ontario’s land records database. |
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Land Registry Office - Teranet Express | access to the Government of Ontario’s land records database from your personal or business computer |
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CK Physician's Tribute | list of doctors who practiced in Chatham-Kent pre-1970s including biographical information |
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CK Heritage | list of designated and listed properties in CK, resource on architectural styles, definitions, and Ontario examples |
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Gathering our Heroes | a compilation of the names and stories of all C-K World War I and II veterans |
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Uncle Tom's Cabin | history of the Dawn Settlement founded by Josiah Henson |
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Infomart | full text Chatham Daily News articles from 1999 to present, available through the
Chatham-Kent Public Library |
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Ontario Visual Heritage Project | Chatham-Kent: A Place of Refuge -short films and history resources on significant local history events |
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Chatham Music Archive | information and examples of recordings/performances by local bands |
Are you a community group or organization that provides research services or reference material relating to local history? Would you like to be added to our listing? Please contact the museum so we can update our list.