Provincial Archives of Alberta

Search our Holdings

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Home to our history

The Provincial Archives of Alberta serves the Province of Alberta and its citizens by preserving the collective memory of Alberta, and contributing to the protection of Albertans' rights and the sense of the Alberta identity. It is located in Edmonton, Alberta. It acquires, preserves and makes available for research both private and government records of all media. The Provincial Archives of Alberta serves as the permanent archival repository of the Government of Alberta and operates according to the Historical Resources Act. The organization is situated in the Ministry of Culture and Community Spirit and is headed by Provincial Archivist Leslie Latta-Guthrie. As of 2008 the Provincial Archives of Alberta includes in its holdings:

• 42,218 linear metres of government textual records;
• 4,900 linear metres of private textual records;
• 65,406 maps;
• 27,636 architectural drawings;
• 2,186,269 photographic images;
• 41,137 hours of sound recordings;
• 68,334 hours of film and video materials; and
• 12,847 volumes of library holdings.

Reference services

Public interaction with the Provincial Archives of Alberta is primarily through the Sandra Thomson Reading Room which is open to the public five days a week and staffed full-time by professional archivists. The archivists are available to give advice on the primary sources that may respond to researchers’ inquiries. The Sandra Thomson Reading Room has the following major sources which are popular:

Alberta homestead records; newspapers; city directories; Vital Statistics records; local history books; census records; passenger lists; Alberta divorce and probate records; Alberta court records; United Church of Canada records; Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate records; Anglican Church of Canada records; and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada records.

Caption 1 Portion of the map British Dominions by William Doyle and J. Prockter, 1770 Provincial Archives of Alberta Accession 71.430/4

However this is only a small sampling of the records available. The Provincial Archives is pleased to offer an online database of archival descriptions to access the rest of the holdings.

The Provincial Archives of Alberta promotes Alberta’s history and in this way makes the Archives relevant to future users through:

• Special events and exhibits which highlight the holdings;
• school programs with curriculum ties;
• teacher resource packages with curriculum ties;
• website – holdings online and to promote services; and
• various communication strategies that build awareness of the resources available in the Provincial Archives holdings.

The Provincial Archives of Alberta invites your inquiries. Click here for information.

Brief history

The origin of the Provincial Archives dates back to1906 when Katharine Hughes served as the first Provincial Archivist within the Provincial Library.

[[Image:A5398_200.jpg|thumb|right|A replica of Newton's 6-inch (150 mm) reflecting telescope of 1672 for the Royal Society

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In 1962, the Government of Alberta established a Museums Branch under the Department of the Provincial Secretary for the establishment of a Provincial Archives and a Provincial Museum. The Branch began to accept archival records from government and private sources in 1963. In 1965 work began on a new Provincial Museum and Archives building in the Glenora district of Edmonton. Work finished and the building officially opened in 1967.

As the years went by the Provincial Archives of Alberta outgrew its space and began to warehouse collections, and the need for a larger building became apparent. The Provincial Archives officially opened the doors to its new location at 8555 Roper Road (see map)in Edmonton on October 5, 2003. The custom 11,000 square meter building is situated on a six hectare (14.8 acres) site in southeast Edmonton.

Funding for the construction of the new building was made possible through grants from the Alberta Centennial Legacies Grant Program.

External links

• Reference Services at the Provincial Archives of Alberta – Detailed Information
• Exhibits at the Provincial Archives of Alberta
• Online Search of Holdings at the Provincial Archives of Alberta

References

(1) Alberta Government. Ministry of Culture and Community Spirit. Heritage and Museums. Alberta Government. Culture and Community Spirit Website. Retrieved August 18, 2008.

(2) A Brief History of the Provincial Archives. Provincial Archives of Alberta Website. Retrieved August 18, 2008.

(3) Alberta Centennial Legacies Grant Program. Alberta Centennial Website. Retrieved August 18, 2008.

(4) Historical Resources Act, R.S.A.2000. Alberta Queen's Printer Website. Retrieved August 18, 2008.

(5) Records Management Regulation 224/2001 Alberta Queen's Printer Website. Retrieved August 18, 2008.