What are Archives?
Archives are collections of information. These come in many forms such as letters, reports, minutes, registers, maps, photographs and films which are preserved because of their long-term value. Our archives contain records transferred from the Hamilton City Council as well as archives collected from the local community.
Our Archives collections
Hamilton City Libraries' Archives collections are an excellent resource for all types of researchers including:
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Hamilton or Waikato history.
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Original material for an assignment.
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Local genealogy.
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Topics from our past that will be enhanced by local case studies.
The Hamilton City Council archive includes holdings from both the present council and previous local authorities, such as the Frankton Borough Council. Examples include minute books, rates books, correspondence files, plans and aerial photographs.
The Community archive holds records donated or loaned by local clubs, societies, businesses, and individuals, including: records from the Hamilton Club, an Armed Constabulary diary from the 1870s, and letters of early Waikato settler William Rysdale.
Using the Archives collections
You can make a preliminary search for archives on the library catalogue. Archives can be viewed by appointment in the Special Collections Room on Level 3 of the Central Library.
It can take staff time to identify items that may be relevant to an enquiry, and some items are unable to be viewed in person due to fragility or preservation reasons.
