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Archival Research Tutorial: Finding an archives

Archival materials give you direct access to the time or event you are studying. The goal of this guide is to help you conduct research at the Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections at York University Libraries.

Tips for a successful visit to the archives

Before you visit:

  • Focus and refine your topic
  • Do your background research
  • Search for appropriate archives to visit
  • Check the hours to make sure that the archives is open and accepting research appointments
  • Browse the website of the archives. You will often find very useful information about the collection you are interested in researching. Sometimes, you may find an A-Z listing of online finding aids to the institution’s archival collections.
  • Contact the archives or library to book an appointment
  • Bring some cash for photocopying, or bring a camera and ask if you are able to take photographs of materials.

When you visit:

  • Expect to Check-in at Scott Library entrance, no admittance to CTASC without an appointment
  • Expect to register as a reader - done online in advance when booking appointment - information verified at research appointment
  • Bring a piece of photo identification (like your driver's licence or YU card)
  • Have patience, we are all adjusting to new workflows

 

 

Finding archival institutions

Now that you have completed the background reading on your focused research question and determined that the information on your topic may be held in an archives, you are ready to proceed to the next step: finding an archives.

Archival records may be found in a variety of places:

  1. government institutions (local, municipal, provincial and federal)
  2. businesses (both public and private)
  3. religious organizations (churches and denominations)
  4. academic institutions (universities and colleges), especially those with research collections.

With over 800 public archival institutions in Canada, finding the information you need may seem like a daunting task. How do you narrow your search?   Some tips include:

Remember Canada's total archives tradition.  Because of this legacy, you will find records:

  • in all formats in Canadian archives, including slides, photographs, sound and video recordings.

  • are kept as close to their place of origin as a possible. 

Note:  If a person or organization was significant in a particular place or region, the records will likely be found in an archival institution there.

Note:  Identify major research collections during your secondary research. Institutional research collections focus on specific areas and will collect supporting materials in those areas.