Welcome To KARA
Kawartha Ancestral Research Association Inc
A genealogy and heritage site for family historians in the Peterborough, Northumberland, Durham, Haliburton, and City of Kawartha Lakes region.
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.
How We Imagine It!
AI Images
KARA Welcomes 2025
and the
200th Anniversary
of the Robinson Settlers
KARA Research Centre Opens
Friday August 1,
through August 8, 2025
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
KARA to Host an
OPEN HOUSE Weekend
Saturday August 9
and Sunday August 10, 2025
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to drop by for a visit, enjoy our photo display of the Robinson Settler Descendants, chat with us about your own family research and connections to this amazing group of Irish pioneers.
As 2025 draws ever closer, plans are shaping up for events of celebration to mark the 200th Anniversary of the arrival of the Settlers who came to the Peterborough area under the supervision of the Honorable Peter Robinson in the year 1825.
The Peterborough Commemorative Committee has designated August 1 through 10, 2025 as a time of focus for celebrations.
In keeping with these days of celebration, KARA will open our Research Centre each day from August 1 through August 10, 2025, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. for those wanting to explore and hopefully expand their family research.
Our week long celebration of the 200th Anniversary will conclude with two days of Open House – a time to drop in and chat about your own family research.
Copies will be available for sale of our new KARA Publication ‘ Robinson Roots – Footprints of the Past ‘
KARA Family History Research Centre
As a local family history, genealogy research centre and registered charity, KARA is now 25 years old. Our reference library is rich in resources to aid in your family research. Visitors and new members are welcome!
For all our 25 years, KARA is driven by Volunteer power. From Board members to web site builders, from project workers to staff at the Research Centre, everyone of us at KARA give the gift of our time and expertise to make it all happen.
- Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 1 - 5 pm
- Visit, Saturday by appointment 1 - 5 pm
- 730 The Kingsway, Unit 3, Peterborough, ON, K9J 6W6
- (705) 743-7668
- 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
Hello Welcome To KARA
KARA Family History Research Centre
As a local family history, genealogy research centre and registered charity, KARA is now 25 years old. Our reference library is rich in resources to aid in your family research. Visitors and new members are welcome.
- Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 1 – 5
- Visit, Saturday by appointment 1 – 5
- Daily Visitor Fee applies for non-members upon arrival
- 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 is pleased to announce that coming in the spring of 2025 we will be releasing three books on the Robinson Settlers descendants. There will be three volumes, you can pick and choose as you want in relation to which volumes you like. Volume one will include the townships of Ennismore, Ops, and Otonabee, volume two will include Emily, and volume three will include Asphodel, Douro and Smith. Below is a form that you can use to sign up for a preorder. All you have to do is fill out the form below, you don’t have to do a preauthorized payment. Tell KARA which books you are interested in. You will receive an email close to the release date of the books on how to pay and receive your books. Once you fill out the form click the send button and KARA will add your name to the list of interested buyers of the Robinson Roots Footprints of the Past.
Sign up for Robinson Settlers of 1825-2025 Books
Discover Your Family History
At KARA
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.
About KARA
About 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
Peterborough A Little History
Come take a virtual stroll around Peterborough. Here you will discover a little about the history that has promoted the growth of a small town into today’s modern city.
From the railway stations that once bustled with passengers coming and going, to early hospitals that cared for the sick and the elderly, here is a glimpse of the early landscape that shaped our communities.
A visit to the Mechanics Institute could bring hours of quiet enjoyment in the pages of the latest novels or a pleasant afternoon listening to the latest revelations in the world of science.
A stroll into Victoria Park might bring a peaceful quiet half hour’s walk along the garden pathway or perhaps the pleasure of listening to the local Battalion Band.
KARA Resources
KARA Resources
Overview Of KARA Resources
We have often been asked about posting an outline of the resources in the KARA Research Centre. And today, we can say, here it is. We have created a list of the types of resource materials to be found at KARA. Each one has a short description about the origins of the research documents.
KARA Online Search
KARA Online Search
KARA Online Resources
We are excited to offer our members, a whole new way to explore their family history. As we begin our online Members-section, already there are old scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, newspaper birth, marriage and death notices, added to the site.
KARA Web Store
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.
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...
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.
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...
Couples From History
Elizabeth & George McWilliams
Elizabeth Ann Cummiskey grew up to marry George Henry McWilliams. Their wedding took place in Toronto in October 1898.
Edward & Magdalena Meyer
Edward Meyer, born 1842 in Switzerland, came to live in Markham Township. There he married Magdalena daughter of Adam Wideman.
Martin & Mary Jane Kennealey
Martin Kennaley, born in Ireland in the year 1822, came to Canada West with his family. Here he spent his childhood. He married Mary Jane Logan.
Andrew Evans & Louise Shearer
Andrew Lang Evans, was born in Otonabee Township 3 September 1880. His future wife, Harriet Louise Shearer was born in October 1882.
Joseph Young & Ada White
Joseph Albert Campion, son of William Young and Mary Campion, was born in June 1866. As a young man he married Ada Wilson White.
Jane Smith & John Cameron
John, eldest son of James and Sarah Cameron was born 8 February 1842. He grew up in Otonabee Township and later married Jane Ewing Smith.
Donate To KARA
Donate in support of the heritage work at KARA
We are located in Peterborough, Ontario. KARA is an awesome organization! We operate on Volunteer power. From Board members to Research Centre staff, everyone donates time and expertise.
Join us in the work to preserve our heritage. The effort we make today gives our children and grandchildren a family history to enjoy for years to come. Your gift today makes a difference in all our tomorrows.
We give our time, our energy, our effort, our expertise. We appreciate your support. It helps us continue our heritage work.
Photo of an early Peter Robinson shanty still in existence into the 1990s. Featured in Ron Brown’s Disappearing Ontario.
Voyage to Upper Canada
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
Now In Draft Robinson Settler Descendants 1825-2025
Coming In Time For 2025
At KARA, we are eager to hear from you. You may be able to contribute new information. Perhaps you can resolve a question about a family connection. Or maybe you have a lovely family photo to share.
Douro Families Continue...
Discover the families of Douro From 1870 To 1925
In Progress
A new book coming out before long. Here is the continuing history of the families who called Douro home. Picking up in 1870 where our first book ended, this will be the ongoing story of family life in the community.
If you have questions, information or something to contribute use the link below.
KARA Monthly Newsletter
How To Subscribe To The KARA Monthly Newsletter
There is now a monthly newsletter, which will cover all the current news relating to KARA. In addition the monthly newsletter will also include material relating to the KARA Web Store. As well, the monthly newsletter will have updates concerning our Online Search. That is the part of our website for members to access some of KARA’s digitized material.
If you would like to subscribe to the KARA monthly newsletter, simply click the link below to visit our web store then scroll to bottom of the page. On the form, add your name and email, to join our monthly newsletter.
How To Subscribe To The KARA Monthly Newsletter
There is now a monthly newsletter, which will cover all the current news relating to KARA. In addition the monthly newsletter will also include material relating to the KARA Web Store. As well, the monthly newsletter will have updates concerning our Online Search. That is the part of our website for members to access some of KARA’s digitized material.
If you would like to subscribe to the KARA monthly newsletter, simply click the link below to visit our web store then scroll to bottom of the page. On the form, add your name and email, to join our monthly newsletter.
Memberships & Research
If you are looking to join KARA and become a member. Or you are interested in KARA providing research services for you then one of following types are available.
As a KARA Member during a year of membership, you will receive access to the KARA Research Centre; a 10% discount on book purchases made at the KARA Research Centre and on our Webstore. Enjoy the opportunities to meet with other family historians.
As a KARA Member during a year of membership, you will receive access to the KARA Research Centre; a 10% discount on book purchases made at the KARA Research Centre and on our Webstore. Enjoy the opportunities to meet with other family historians.
$35.00 per hour
Minimum of two hours.
Basic Research covers a search of the typical main types of documents. Research can be purchased on our Web Store.
$ 60.00 per hour
Minimum of two hours.
Detailed Research, is the same as basic research. Additional research included for a more detailed search. Click the link below for more information.
As a KARA Member during a year of membership, you will receive access to the KARA Research Centre; a 10% discount on book purchases made at the KARA Research Centre and on our Webstore. Enjoy the opportunities to meet with other family historians.
As a KARA Member during a year of membership, you will receive access to the KARA Research Centre; a 10% discount on book purchases made at the KARA Research Centre and on our Webstore. Enjoy the opportunities to meet with other family historians.
$35.00 per hour
Minimum of two hours.
Basic Research covers a search of the typical main types of documents. Research can be purchased on our Web Store.
$ 60.00 per hour
Minimum of two hours.
Detailed Research, is the same as basic research. Additional research included for a more detailed search. Click the link below for more information.
Stories From The Past
Stories From The Past
Celebrate Our Heritage
Generations come and go… our task is to find them once again so that we may celebrate their lifetimes and link them once more to our families of today.
Advertising & Marketing
Shop keepers advertise their goods, wares and services. Advertising is as important a need of businesses, as important in the 1860s as it is today.
Canada Proclaimed
In a proclamation issued by Queen Victoria, the Dominion of Canada came into existence on July 1, 1867. Read more on stories, relating to Canada…
Irish Settlers Of 1825
To lead an Irish emigration in the year 1825, Peter Robinson was chosen by the British Government Under-Secretary Wilmot Horton.
Military Service
Throughout the world, Canadians have always been known for their service in defense of peace. During two world wars, Canadians took up arms…
Once Upon A Town
The Once Upon a Town section presents names of those who were early residents in villages and towns of the Kawartha Region.
Out Of Our Past
Hard working ancestors of the past, created homes and communities. They cleared land, farmed and harvested crops.
Local Business
Canadians have been strong business people. From world class pianos built in Toronto, to streetcars built in Thunder Bay…
People of Canada
From the earliest days of the pioneers until present day, Canadians have made amazing contributions. They have assisted in the progress…
Post Office-Early Days
From the time that the first settlers arrived on the shores of Lake Ontario, leaving long days of ocean voyaging to the past…
Where They Rest
The arrival of settler families to the backwoods of Ontario brought about the need for a place of worship. Of equal importance…
Discovering the Records
The journey to discovering the family ancestors includes a little learning about the history of where they lived and where they attended religious services. For example, if your ancestors arrived here between 1791 and 1840, then they would have lived in Upper Canada, that we know today as Ontario, or Lower Canada, that we now call Quebec. For those interested in discovering more follow this link.