Family history isn’t just found in archives, records, and family trees, it can also be discovered by visiting the places where history happened.
To encourage participants to experience local history in a hands-on way, a Family History Scavenger Hunt was organized across Hamilton, Ontario. Participants were challenged to visit nine locations throughout the city and take a photograph at each stop as proof of their visit.
Every destination was selected to highlight a different aspect of Hamilton’s rich heritage, from immigration and community life to faith, recreation, and remembrance. Together, the stops created a unique opportunity to explore how local history and family history often intersect.
Mountain Brow Lookout East
The scavenger hunt began at Mountain Brow Lookout East, offering participants a breathtaking view of Hamilton. The lookout provided an ideal starting point to appreciate the city as a whole and reflect on how generations of residents have witnessed Hamilton’s growth and transformation over time.
Family Homes
The second stop focused on one of Hamilton’s established residential neighbourhoods. Historic homes and streets throughout the city can provide valuable clues for genealogists researching where ancestors lived, worked, and raised families.
This stop encouraged participants to think about the journeys many newcomers made when establishing their first homes in Canada and the communities they helped build.
Hamilton Stadium
Home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Hamilton Stadium represents a different type of family history, shared traditions and community connections.
For many Hamilton families, memories of attending football games stretch back generations. This stop celebrated the importance of local traditions and the experiences that help shape family stories.
St. Ann’s Church
Places of worship have long played an important role in family and community life. Churches often preserve records of baptisms, marriages, funerals, and other significant life events that are invaluable to genealogical research.
St. Ann’s Church served as a reminder of the role faith communities have played in Hamilton’s history and the many stories that can be uncovered through religious records.
Global Irish Famine Way
One of the most meaningful stops on the route was Hamilton’s waterfront at Pier 8 of Copps Pier, home to the Global Irish Famine Way monument.
The monument honours the men, women, and children who left Ireland during the Great Famine in search of a better future. It also highlights the broader story of immigration and the many newcomers who arrived in Canada hoping to build new lives for themselves and their families.
Dundurn Castle
Dundurn Castle stands as one of Hamilton’s most recognizable historic landmarks and offers a glimpse into life during the nineteenth century.
As participants explored the grounds, they were encouraged to consider the social, economic, and cultural environment that shaped the lives of many early Hamilton residents.
Hamilton Cemetery
Cemeteries are among the most valuable resources available to family historians. They preserve the names, dates, and stories of generations who helped shape their communities.
At Hamilton Cemetery, participants were reminded of the importance of preserving local history and remembering those who came before us.
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery provided another opportunity to reflect on the lives of past generations.
Many Hamilton families can trace their roots through cemetery records, monuments, and inscriptions that offer insights into immigration, family relationships, religious traditions, and community history.
Easterbrooks Hotdog Stand
Every great scavenger hunt deserves a memorable finish line, and Easterbrooks was the perfect final stop.
A beloved Hamilton institution for generations, Easterbrooks provided participants with an opportunity to relax, share stories, compare photographs, and celebrate completing the challenge together.
More Than a Scavenger Hunt
The Hamilton Family History Scavenger Hunt was about much more than visiting landmarks and taking photographs. It was an opportunity to explore the city through the lens of family history and discover how local places can help tell larger stories about immigration, community, faith, and heritage.
Whether participants were experienced genealogists or simply curious about Hamilton’s past, the event demonstrated that history is all around us, waiting to be discovered one location at a time.
