Zorra Books

Search the resources below for keys to Zorra’s past.You will find information about businesses, architecture, culture and pioneers of the area. Some of these titles have been digitized and are keyword searchable. Lookups are available on request by contacting localhistory@ocl.net

Beachville: the birthplace of Oxford

A detailed history resource 1784-1967, encompassing Beachville, West and North Oxford Townships.

East Nissouri Township : people, perserverance, progress

An index to a comprehensive history of East Nissouri Township and the people who settled the land and made it their home.

Embro and Zorra 1858-1983

Embro village and Zorra as seen through old photographs. Brief notes are included describing the photos and their significance to the area. It was produced in honour of the 125th Anniversary of Embro

From far Formosa: the island, its people and missions

by George Leslie MacKay Born in Zorra Township, read about George's world travels in his own words.

From Forest to Farm: the story of North Oxford Township

Published in 2015 this comprehensive text details the settlers and land of North Oxford. This book has been digitized and an OCR file created which enables keyword searchability. Lookups can requested by contacting localhistory@ocl.net

From highland croft to Canadian homestead 1831-1936

A record of the descendants of John Mackay and Christena Munro, who settled on the “Homestead” on the twelfth concession of East Nissouri,

Giants of Oxford: women and men who changed our world.

Explore the index to Giants of Oxford by Doug M Symons. This books contains notable figures across Oxford County including Aimee Semple McPherson of Salford and many others.

Historical Notes by Len K. Coles

Holding the position of Oxford County Clerk for 30 years, Len Coles shares his research and knowledge of Oxford County history in this work created & compiled by Oxford County Archives.

Historically Bound: Embro and West Zorra 1820-2007

A comprehensive history of Embro and West Zorra Township, its people, farms and heritage in two volumes. Consult the index to both volumes

History of Embro and Zorra by W. A. Ross

Published in 1909, featuring pioneer sketches of sixty years ago

History of North Oxford Township 1867-1967

Compiled by the North Oxford Centennial Project Committee in 1967, this book details the rural area bordering Ingersoll.

How I Remember East Nissouri by Harvey Waud

A detailed account of growing up during the depression in Zorra and how rural life brought hard work and reward.

Index to Embro Centennial:

Zorra Old Boys and Girls Reunion 1858-1958

Index to: A Safe haven: the story of the Black settlers of Oxford County

By Joyce A. Pettigrew. A comprehensively researched documentation of Black pioneers and their struggle to survive.

Index to: Inns and Taverns : Oxford County by Roy Johnstone

An index to a comprehensive history of early inns.

Index to: Old Oxford is Wide Awake! by Brian Dawe

A history of pioneer settlers and politicians in Oxford county, 1793-1853. Explore the index to this valuable history text.

Index to: When cheese was king by Edward Moore

A complete history of the cheese factories in Oxford county

Kintore: our community 1878-1978

This booklet contains information gleaned from interviews, old photographs and maps, news clippings and business directories about the history of Kintore.

Local Histories of Ontario Municipalities 1951-1977

Excerpt of Oxford County resources by Barbara B. Aitken

Local Histories of Ontario Municipalities 1977-1987

An index of Local Histories of Ontario Municipalities 1977-1987 A Bibliography by Barbara B. Aitken.

Musings of Uncle Jake

by Jacob David Allen, 1804-1874. A poetry collection crafted in 1866 by early Thamesford merchant, Allen. Short biography of Allen included.

One Hundred Years in the Zorra Church by W. D. McIntosh

William Donald McIntosh (1881-?) became the pastor of the Knox Congregation Church in 1926 and published this local history. Contains local and family history information.

One in a Thousand:

the Life and Death of Captain Eddie McKay, Royal Flying Corps by Graham Broad. Read of this Harrington native's exploits during WWI

Outstanding Women of Oxford County

Depicts portraits of courageous and determined women who endured pioneer life in Oxford County written by Brenda Dyer, Sarah Kolasiewicz and Donna Stevenson

Outstanding Women of Oxford County: Volume 2

Written by Carol Miller, Nancy Payne and Jeanette Zwart in 1980 this work takes a further look at pioneering women in Oxford County

Oxford County Libraries: a brief history

The short histories of the branch libraries of Oxford County, prepared in 1971 by Louise Krompart.

Pioneer Baptist Work in Oxford County

by Zella M. Hoston. Explore the origins of the Baptist faith in Oxford

Pioneer Life in Zorra by W. A. MacKay

First published in 1899, this volume gives an account of early twentieth-century life in Zorra, giving details of notable figures and events, furnishing the reader with an authentic account of pioneer life.

S. S. No. 1 West Zorra, Walker's School, 1869-1966

A history of the one room school located on Concession 1, West Zorra.

S. S. No. 2 North Oxford, Banner School, 1833-1966

A history of the one room school located on Concession 4, North Oxford.

S. S. No. 3 West Zorra Bennington School, 1864-1966

A history of the Bennington School, which served the area north west of Embro in Zorra Township

S. S. No. 7 West Zorra, 'Wadlands' School, 1855-1966

Explore the history an early red brick school house, formerly located at the north east corner of the 37th Line and Road 96 in Zorra Township, just north of Brooksdale.

Souvenir Manual of the Embro Congregational Church

Surgical Limits: The Life of Gordon Murray

By Shelley McKellar. Chronicles the life of one of Canada's most prominent and controversial surgeons, Gordon Murray (1894-1976), born near Harrington, Ontario. McKellar examines candidly and critically the career successes and failures of Dr. Murray.

Thamesford History: Thamesford historical book project

Published in 1994 this work is a complete history of the village of Thamesford. This book has been digitized and an OCR file created which enables keyword searchability. Lookups can requested by contacting localhistory@ocl.net