Local Studies

The Local Studies Collection is a specialised collection of reference material covering all aspects of the City of Canada Bay Local Government Area. The main collection is located at Five Dock Library with some supplementary material available at Concord library.

Resources include both historical and contemporary material in a variety of formats. The collection reflects themes such as the original indigenous inhabitants, settlement, industrial history, the natural and the built environments as well as contemporary issues.

There is a range of material for students and researchers of all levels, including environmental reports, newspaper clippings, historical maps and photographs. The collection is a useful starting point to learn about the heritage of Canada Bay.

Fact Sheets

Wangal: the Indigenous inhabitants of Canada Bay
Canadian Exiles: the convicts transported to Canada Bay and the origin of Council's name

Family History

Ancestry Library edition database is available for use from all public computers at Concord and Five Dock libraries. There is a small collection of reference books for family historians at Concord library. Some CD-ROMs of births, deaths and marriages and cemetery records are also held.

Canada Bay Connections

Canada Bay Connections is a digital collection of the Library's historical and contemporary photographs.  The collection includes images of the City of Canada Bay and many local organisations, from the nineteenth century up to the present day.  The digital images are a wonderful visual record of our community, providing a valuable resource for students and researchers.  The digital nature of the collection will ensure the images are preserved and easily accessible via the internet.  A selection of images may also be seen on flickr.

If accessing from City of Canada Bay Libraries or Council, please click here.

Local Identities

In 2010 National Trust Heritage Festival ran from 9 to 24 April, with the theme 'The Making of our Nation'.  As part of Council's activities for the 2010 Heritage Festival, biographies of people who have contributed to the making of Canada Bay were added to our website. 

Audio walking tours

Council also has audio walking tours which can be downloaded to iPod or MP3 (follow the link below).

For further information please contact the Local Studies Librarian on 9911 6310 or email Local.Studies@canadabay.nsw.gov.au