• Search Tips
• Census Records
• Land Records
• Court Records
• Immigration Records
• Church Records
• Education Records
• Cartographic Records
• HBCA Records
• Aboriginal Records
• How to Contact Us
• Questions & Answers
• Picture References

About the Archives of Manitoba

Question:

What do you have at the archives?

Answer:
Archives of Manitoba contains one-of-a-kind, handwritten and typed original documents, photographs, works of art, maps, video, cassette and film collections. These records document the history of the people of Manitoba and their government.  Archives of Manitoba also houses the Hudson's Bay Company Archives.  HBCA holdings document the business activities of the Company and the Fur Trade in North America.

Question:

What hours are you open? Are you open weekends or evenings?

Answer:
Visit our Hours of Service page.

Question:

Do you need an appointment to come in and do research?

Answer:
No. An appointment is not necessary.  Our research room staff will be happy to assist you once you arrive. Please allow yourself plenty of time. Primary research can seldom be done in a short period of time, such as a lunch hour. You are encouraged to contact the Archives of Manitoba prior to your visit if you have a specific request.

  [To Menu]

Research Room Procedures

Question: What does the registration process involve?

Answer:
The registration process involves completing an application form and presenting a piece of identification. Personal information collected on this form is protected by Manitoba's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used only to respond to you. If you have any questions about the use or protection of this personal information, please contact the Archives of Manitoba by e-mail or telephone 1-204-945-0513 or 1-800-617-3588.

 

Question:

Can I use my laptop computer in the Research Room?

Answer:
Yes. Carrels are equipped with electrical outlets. Laptops cannot be left overnight or unattended.

 

Question:

What are the rules and regulations governing access to the records?

Answer:
See our Rules and Regulations page.

  [To Menu]

Research and Tour Services

Question: How can I receive information from the Archives of Manitoba?

Answer:
We encourage you to visit the Archives of Manitoba in person. Staff will be happy to help you access available resources. Staff do limited research for persons unable to visit the archives in person. If more detailed research is required, the Manitoba Genealogical Society may be able to put you in touch with a free-lance researcher who can do the work on a fee for service basis. Please be very specific when you request information (i.e. provide names, dates, geographical locations). If you are contacting us from out of town, please provide your full mailing address, e-mail address (if applicable), telephone and/or fax numbers. If you are looking for information of an introductory nature on broad topics such as the fur trade and First Nations people, we suggest you visit your local library first.

Question:

Do you provide school tours?

Answer:
Yes! Guided tours are arranged by appointment and can be adapted to meet special interests. Contact us for more information.

  [To Menu]

Reproductions

Question:

Can I request photocopies or microprints? How many pages can I copy?

Answer:
Yes, provided that the originals are in good condition and no restrictions apply. There is a limit of 250 copies per quarter of the year for photocopies. The limit for microprints is 25 copies if prepared by staff members. Exceptions will be made for special circumstances, (i.e. if copies are required for a court case). Please contact us for more information.

Question:

How much are photocopies and microprints?

Answer:
Please refer to our Copy and Reproduction Services page for this information.

Question:

Can I get copies of moving images (video) and sound (cassette) tapes? How do I do this?

Answer:
Copies are available on request for unrestricted materials. The Archives of Manitoba provides copies free of charge for in-house duplication (researchers must provide the blank tapes). Reproductions of certain formats are done outside the Archives of Manitoba (consult Moving Images and Sound Archivists for further information). In the latter case, the user is charged directly. Requests can be made using the Requisition for Research Copies form in the Research Room and forwarded to Moving Images and Sound.

Question:

Can I order photographic reproductions?

Answer:
Yes. A Price List and Terms Governing the use of Reproductions is available. Please contact us for more information.

  [To Menu]

Microfilm

Question:

Is there a list of microfilm available for Inter-Library Loan? Can I purchase microfilm?

Answer:
Some of the Archives of Manitoba holdings have been microfilmed and may be borrowed or purchased. Click here for the Archives of Manitoba microfilm loan and purchase information.

Most HBCA records up to 1904 and beyond have been microfilmed and are available through microfilm loan. Click here for information about the HBCA microfilm loan program. HBCA microfilm is not available for purchase at this time.

Question:

Do you provide record searches of Library and Archives Canada Microfilm holdings at the Archives of Manitoba for persons conducting research from a distance?

Answer:
No. Selected microfilm holdings from the Library and Archives Canada are available at the Archives of Manitoba as a courtesy to in-person researchers. For inquiries regarding these records, please contact the National Archives directly.

Question:

Can I borrow Library and Archives Canada microfilm? How do I go about it?

Answer:
the Archives of Manitoba can order NAC microfilm for use on site. Please contact us about placing an order. Note: there is a 6-8 week waiting period for NAC microfilm.

  [To Menu]

Military Records

Question:

Can I find my grandfather's military record at the Archives?

Answer:
Service records are a federal government responsibility. The Library and Archives Canada and individual regiments are the main repositories of military records. The Archives of Manitoba has some military records acquired from private sources.

  [To Menu]

Land Records

Question:

My ancestor immigrated to Canada and became a farmer in Manitoba. Does the Archives of Manitoba have any information about him?

Answer:
If your ancestor obtained a homestead or another type of land grant from the government (Crown Land), we will probably have documentation about the grant, perhaps including personal information. However, if land was purchased privately, the transaction will be registered in the local Land Titles Office. See our Genealogical Resources page for the address. For more information about land records please go to our Land Records page, available on this web site.

  [To Menu]

Genealogy

Question:

How do I start researching my family history?

Answer:
Talk to family members and learn as much as possible about your family's history. Assemble names, dates and places from old family documents such as bibles, wills, marriage certificates, photos, etc. Record each generation, starting with yourself and working backwards from the present.

Question:

What church records do you have?

Answer:
The Archives of Manitoba has a limited collection of church records. For more information go to Church Records.

 

Question:

Do you have Ships' Passenger Lists?

Answer:
Yes. Go to Immigration Records.

 

Question:

Do you have Census Records?

Answer:
Yes.  the Archives of Manitoba has Library and Archives Canada microfilm copies of the 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 Census Returns for the Manitoba region.  For more information go to Census Records.

 

Question:

Where do I find records of births, marriages and deaths in Manitoba?

Answer:
Access to Vital Statistics records in Manitoba is through the Vital Statistics Agency.

  [To Menu]

Native Status Inquiries

Question:

How do I trace my native ancestry?

Answer:
The Archives of Manitoba has a variety of records which can help a researcher trace their native ancestry. A guide to conducting aboriginal genealogical research at the Archives of Manitoba can be found on this web site. Click here if you would like to view the guide.

  [To Menu]

School Records

Question:

How do I find the school attendance record of my ancestor?

Answer:
To find a record of someone who attended a public school in Manitoba, you need to know which school the person went to.  The Archives of Manitoba has Half-Yearly Attendance Reports from the Department of Education beginning in 1915. For a few schools, there are Daily Attendance Registers which pre-date 1915. If you do not know the name of the school that your ancestor attended, you need to know where he or she lived in order to identify likely schools to search for a record of attendance.

  [To Menu]

Naturalization Records