Welcome To KARA
Kawartha Ancestral Research Association Inc
A genealogy and heritage website specifically dedicated to family historians who are interested in exploring and preserving the rich histories of families from the regions of Peterborough, Northumberland, Durham, Haliburton, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. This platform serves as a valuable resource for those looking to trace their ancestry, connect with distant relatives, and delve into the cultural and historical backgrounds of these areas.
KARA Presents 1825 - 2025 200th Robinson Immigration Anniversary Celebration Displays Virtual Tour
For more information view this video.
The Robinson Settler's of 1825
Voyage To Upper Canada
In 1825, a group of settlers led by the visionary Peter Robinson arrived in the beautiful Peterborough area. Today, we celebrate their journey and the determination that led them to carve out a new home in this land. Let their story be a source of inspiration and hope for all who seek to build a better future.
Robinson Roots Footprints Of The Past
Good News and Delayed Anticipation
As we prepared our newest book and aimed for its release in August of 2025, we made a huge discovery. Our material far exceeds three volumes.
Good News
Volume One is officially released as of August 1, 2025.
Anticipation
In the spring of this year, the decision was made to expand the three volumes to six – essentially one book for each of the main townships where the Peter Robinson Settler families settled. We have rescheduled the release of other volumes for early fall and Christmas of 2025 and the remaining books through the spring of 2026.
Ennismore Now Available, Check Our Website, Coming ASAP Volume 4, Otonabee. Next Volume 2, Douro, In 2026 Volume 3 Asphodel & Smith. Then 2 Volumes 5 & 6, Emily.
Robinson Roots Footprints Of The Past
Good News and Delayed Anticipation
As we prepared our newest book and aimed for its release in August of 2025, we made a huge discovery. Our material far exceeds three volumes.
Good News
Volume One is officially released as of August 1, 2025.
Anticipation
In the spring of this year, the decision was made to expand the three volumes to six – essentially one book for each of the main townships where the Peter Robinson Settler families settled. We have rescheduled the release of other volumes for early fall and Christmas of 2025 and the remaining books through the spring of 2026.
Ennismore Now Available, Check Our Website, Coming ASAP Volume 4, Otonabee. Next Volume 2, Douro, In 2026 Volume 3 Asphodel & Smith. Then 2 Volumes 5 & 6, Emily.
Visit The Centre / Contact KARA
KARA Research Centre
- Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 1 til 5 p.m.
- Open Saturday by appointment.
- Appointments can be made @ (705) 743-7668.
- 730 The Kingsway, Unit 3, Peterborough, ON, K9J 6W6
- Call 705 – 743 – 7668  For General Inquiries
- Daily Visitor Fee applies for non-members
- Take a membership with us today
Notice
To all KARA Members & Visitors to the KARA Research Centre, as a courtesy to KARA and neighboring businesses, please park in the designated KARA parking spots, on the far side of the parking lot.
Thank You
KARA Family History Research Centre
Celebrating 25 years as a local family history and genealogy research center, KARA is a registered charity dedicated to assisting individuals in their family research endeavors. Our reference library is abundant with resources to support your inquiries, including a vast collection of historical documents, genealogy databases, and expert guidance. We warmly welcome both visitors and new members, offering a community where everyone from novices to seasoned researchers can explore their ancestry.
Throughout our 25-year journey, KARA has thrived thanks to the unwavering dedication of our volunteers. From board members who set our strategic direction to website developers who ensure our online presence is inviting and informative, to project workers who meticulously organize our events and staff at the Research Centre who provide personalized assistance, each member of our team contributes their time and expertise. Their commitment ensures that our mission to help individuals discover their family histories is continually realized and expanded upon.
Discover Your Family History
At KARA
Discover Your Roots
Explore Our Family History Services
For over twenty-five years, KARA has been building a rich and diverse library of resources to support your family history research. Thanks to the generous donations from our members and friends, our collection has grown into a valuable treasure trove for genealogists and historians alike.
KARA is a Registered Charity. The unique thing about us is that we are all volunteer driven. From Board members, to volunteers at the Research Centre, to those who complete research for customers, to building our website and web store – it all happens on VOLUNTEER power. Isn’t that awesome!
As part of our organization we operate a Research Centre. Everyone is welcome to stop in to the Centre to work on your family history. A daily visitor fee applies for non-members. As a new visitor to our Centre, our volunteer staff are happy to provide a tour of the resources in our library. We can chat with you about the family names you are working on and give ideas for moving your research forward.
Here is a presentation
detailing all that KARA has to offer.
What To
Expect
During A Day At KARA
Family History Research in the Kawartha Region -the Counties of Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton, and old Victoria (now City of Kawartha Lakes). We cover all of these and so much more!
Join the KARA Research Centre. A welcoming environment where members and visitors research family and local history, meet up with friends and spend delightful afternoons chatting about their work.
Friendly KARA Volunteer Staff are always available to assist by explaining and helping locate resources; to discuss avenues of current or future research; or provide general background information about different research materials. Whether experienced genealogist or beginner, all are welcomed to the KARA Research Centre’s renowned atmosphere of warmth and helpful assistance.
Peterborough A Little History
Take a virtual stroll through Peterborough and delve into the history that has transformed this small town into a modern city.
Explore the once-bustling railway stations that facilitated the movement of passengers, and the early hospitals dedicated to caring for the sick and elderly. This journey offers a glimpse into the foundational landscape that has shaped our communities.
A visit to the Mechanics Institute promises hours of quiet enjoyment, whether delving into the latest novels or attending informative sessions on contemporary scientific advancements.
Additionally, enjoy a leisurely walk through Victoria Park, allowing for a tranquil half-hour along the garden pathways, accompanied by the delightful sounds of the local Battalion Band.
KARA Resources
What’s Here For You At KARA
Over the course of more than twenty-five years, a remarkable collection of resources has been gathered at the KARA library. As time passes, organizations like ours naturally accumulate a wealth of materials, and KARA is no exception. Our library’s holdings have grown steadily, thanks in large part to the generosity of our members and friends. Each donation—whether it’s a rare book, a periodical, a personal memoir, or a unique artifact—has played a vital role in expanding the breadth and depth of our collection.
The KARA library is more than just a repository of books. It is a living archive, reflecting the diverse interests, histories, and passions of our community. Over the years, we have received a wide variety of contributions, ranging from scholarly works and historical documents to creative writing, photographs, and multimedia resources. Every item tells a story and adds to the rich tapestry of knowledge available to our members.
KARA Online Resources
What’s Here For You At KARA
We are thrilled to introduce our members to an innovative and comprehensive platform for exploring their family history. As we launch the online Members section, we have already begun to incorporate a wide variety of resources to enhance the experience. These resources include vintage scrapbooks that offer a glimpse into the past, newspaper clippings that capture historical moments, and notices of births, marriages, and deaths that provide essential links to personal heritage. Our goal is to create a rich and engaging environment where members can delve deeper into their ancestry and uncover stories that have shaped their families through generations.
KARA Online Store is a
Good Choice For Genealogy Enthusiasts
What We Cover...
At the KARA web store we have a nice range of books for you to search. We have new and used books, plus all the types you might be looking for.Â
We cover family history research in the Kawartha region – the counties of Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton, and Old Victoria. Plus so much more.
A Range Of Subjects...
From Family History to Genealogy to Local History…
Click To Browse...
Check Out The...
KARA Online Store is a
Good Choice For Genealogy Enthusiasts
What We Cover...
At the KARA web store we have a nice range of books for you to search. We have new and used books, plus all the types you might be looking for.Â
We cover family history research in the Kawartha region – the counties of Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton, and Old Victoria. Plus so much more.
A Range Of Subjects...
From Family History to Genealogy to Local History…
Click To Browse...
Some Couples
From Family History Stories
Donate in support
of the heritage work at KARA...
We are based in Peterborough, Ontario, a vibrant community with a rich history. KARA is a remarkable organization that thrives on the dedication and hard work of volunteers. From our Board members, who provide strategic direction, to the staff at the Research Centre, who delve into historical inquiries, every individual contributes their time and expertise to our cause.
We warmly invite you to join us in our mission to preserve and celebrate our heritage. The actions we take today are not just for us, but they will provide our children and grandchildren with a rich family history to cherish and learn from for generations to come. Your contribution today creates a meaningful and lasting impact on our collective future, ensuring that our stories and traditions are kept alive.
We are wholeheartedly committed to investing our time, energy, effort, and knowledge into this important work. Your support is invaluable, enabling us to continue and expand our heritage initiatives. It empowers us to keep exploring and sharing the stories of our past, ensuring they are not forgotten.
The Old Family Gallery
Explore KARA’s Family Gallery, which showcases a delightful and extensive collection of vintage photographs. This gallery offers a nostalgic journey through time, presenting images that capture the essence of past eras and family memories. Each photograph tells a unique story, inviting visitors to connect with the history and heritage of the people and places depicted. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of photography, KARA’s Family Gallery promises an enriching and memorable experience.
Voyage to Upper Canada
Photo of an early Peter Robinson shanty still in existence into the 1990s. Featured in Ron Brown’s Disappearing Ontario.
September 1825
As the muggy days of August rolled into the cooler weather of September, the settlers had all made their way to Scott’s Plains. Stretching across the flood plain of the Otonabee River, from its riverbank westward to near where Monaghan Road is today, they camped in army style tents. Family groups settled around campfires used both to give a little warmth when needed and over which they prepared all daily meals. The focus was now upon selecting a 100-acre section of land upon which they would settle permanently. As each family chose their land, it was recorded by Peter Robinson’s staff at The Depot as Scott’s Plains was also now becoming known.
Having confirmed a property, the family was issued a Location Ticket, giving permission to begin residing on that land. A log shanty was constructed in which all the family members would live during their first years in Upper Canada. A small dwelling, with dirt floor and sloping log roof to shed rain and snow, the back woods shanty home was a simple homestead.
Current KARA Projects
Douro Families Continue...
Discover the families of Douro From 1870 To 1925
In Progress
Anticipation is building as a new book is set to be released soon, offering readers another captivating journey into the rich tapestry of family histories that have shaped the Douro region. This eagerly awaited volume picks up in the year 1870, where our inaugural book left off, and promises to weave a compelling narrative that continues to explore the intricate lives of the families who made Douro their cherished home.
The new book will delve deeply into the ongoing saga of family life within this vibrant community, painting a vivid picture of the social, cultural, and personal dynamics that have defined generations. Readers will be transported back in time, experiencing the joys, challenges, and triumphs of those who lived in this unique setting.
As we prepare for this release, we invite you to be a part of this unfolding story. If you have any questions, insightful information, or contributions that could enrich our narrative, we welcome your input. Please use the link provided below to share your thoughts and become an integral part of this historical journey.
Take Up A Membership or
Seek Out Our Research Services
Memberships
KARA, the Kawartha Ancestral Research Association Inc., is a dedicated family history research centre serving the Kawartha region and beyond. Membership in KARA offers a wealth of resources, support, and opportunities for anyone interested in exploring their family history, preserving local heritage.
Research
KARA provides comprehensive research services tailored to meet a variety of genealogical and historical research needs. Two distinct service levels are available: Research Basic and Research Detailed. Each service is designed to offer thorough and professional support, with transparent reasonable pricing.
