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This guide has been compiled by Sylvia Roberts, Liaison Librarian for Contemporary Arts, with contributions from Heather De Forest and others. If you have questions about archival or other research, contact Sylvia by email at sroberts@sfu.ca.
ARCHIVES OVERVIEW
Archives contain unique and rare materials acquired from individuals and organizations for future research. Materials are collected according to the mandate of the archive and are organized according to their origins, not by subject. Archival collections can include unpublished primary sources such as letters, photos, manuscripts and digital files.
Archives are usually staffed by archivists with a deep knowledge of documentary heritage and their collections.
Unique finding aids are created as a guides to the contents of each fonds, adding detail at each level. Archives may also have records in searchable database. Descriptions in database records and finding aids are unique and created by an archivist as a record of the collection. Search access points include names, subjects, geography, date of creation, as well as descriptions of the contents
The majority of archival collections are available only for on-site use though a small part of collection may be digitized on the web site.
Collections are shelved in secure, climate-controlled storage. Access to some records may be restricted. Generally you will need to identify relevant records and request access to these ahead of your visit.
Plan ahead for your visit to an archive. Archives are usually open business hours (e.g. 9-4, M-F); check their web site for specifics.
Identify archives that may have useful materials for your project, using directories like Memory BC that search across archives.
Identify key materials by searching & requesting access. Consider alternative approaches, be creative!. Talk to archivists about their collections for advice on finding relevant sources.
EXAMPLES OF LOCAL ARCHIVES
Downtown Eastside Research Access Portal (joint project between UBC, SFU and VPL)
At 312 Main:
- Pacific Mountain Regional Council of the United Church archives
- Union of BC Indian Chiefs library and archives
- The Vancouver Police Museum and archives
Vancouver Public Library (VPL)
- Local history collections database
- Vancouver history research guide
- BC History research guide
- VPL's Historical photographs collection now includes some of the photographs that were in the the BC Multicultural Photograph Collection that was previously linked from the SFU Special Collections and Rare Book's digital collections page.
SFU Special Collection and Rare Books (SCRB)
Search the SFU AtoM: Access to Memory database to search archives holdings for SCRB and the SFU Archives
- Perry the Poster Man collection of posters reflecting events in Vancouver for 40+ years,
- Vancouver Soundscape Collection
- Judith Marcuse dance collection
- Digitized collections
City of Vancouver Archives
- Search the CoV archives using the names of people, organizations or use search terms representing your topic
SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT ARCHIVE
What if you don't know which archive to use? You can talk to a librarian or archivst, at SFU or at an archive that seems to be related to your research interest.
You could also try browsing the holdings of archives online, using one of the following databases to identify an archive that might have holdings of interest to you. Here are some additional places to look for information related to BC Archives:
- MemoryBC: The British Columbia Archival Union List
- BC Archives collections search
- Royal BC Museum Genealogy Search (Birth, Death, Marriage, Baptisms in BC)
Many SFU Library databases contain digital copies of archival materials. Check this list of SFU Library databases with "archive" in the description.
Can land and/or objects be an archive?
- The Downtown Eastside Plan (present) and previous plans in the City of Vancouver archives
- Mountainview Cemetery
- Public art
