Members of Historical Society of St. Catharines may be available to assist with historical research requests within reason. In depth genealogical queries are better answered by a local genealogical group. If you have a question, please submit it to this page. Please ensure that your questions are very clearly stated, that you provide us with any supporting information possible and that you leave us with some contact information.
Time of response depends on the complexity of the question and the member’s time to conduct the research.
Any answers will be sent directly to the person asking the question. If time and space allows, some answers will be posted to the website. Be sure that we consider all questions and respond to those that we are able to accommodate.
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The Historical Society of St. Catharines 
Good morning!
I am researching the St. Catharines Poltergeist of 1970 and have several questions regarding the timeline and any police records that might be available. If anyone has information about the case, information about how to obtain records, or personal stories about public reaction from the time, I would deeply appreciate it.
Thank you kindly!
Melanie
I cannot find any information or photos/history of the school I attended during 1st grade; St. Andrews Ward. It was on a corner lot of Church St I believe. I was enrolled there during the 1952-53 term. It is now a commercial building but I cannot find a thing on this little school built in the later 1800’s. It’s a shame this building was not listed as an historical site.
Looking for the name of the toy store on Queenston st the corner of Geneva st in the 1950s 1960
It was called Playtime Store. There was another one on St. Paul Street closer to Queen.
Hey there in curious about the old relief house back in the 1900s on ontario street. My had had an article years ago that stated that behind the gm dealership is a grave yard. Would you happen to have any info on this. Thanks in advance
AARON
It was on the west side of Ontario St. behind Ed Learn Ford. There’s a graveyard back there and the I believe one of the old farm buildings is still in use out behind the dealership.
I am looking for great grandfather john bell … he passed in 1933 due to the accident at lybster cotton mill where he employed as an electrical apprentice.
I was looking for where he was buried .. info on the accident etc.
He was electrocuted.
Images of him and his family would be nice .. also the homestead.
Hello…. I was wondering if you could tell me when the St. Cathariens last had a 4 digit phone number..? I have one of their letter openers from that era..!!!
Thank you Kimberley
Mark MacSporran
Can you assist with any further information? “The boiler of the steam saw-mill belonging to Mr. Hutt of Ten Mile Creek,exploded, l7th inst., killing George Smith,whose relatives reside in West Flamboro. Two men were injured, one of whom, Jacob Jackson, is not expected to survive. – Christian Guardian Sept. 28, 1853, p. 162”. Trying to find SMITH’s grave or newspaper story on incident
Hello,
I am looking for historical records related to the property located at 563 Vine Street, St. Catharines. I believe it was previously a vineyard. Specifically I am interested in finding any images that may be available.
Thank you,
Megan Green
Does anyone have information about Campbell’s Mills in St Catharines? It was located on Twelve Mile Creek and started by Robert Campbell on land received for service in the Revolutionary War. He died in 1823 and I have a newspaper ad from 1828 for its sale by his son Peter Smith Campbell. Thank you!