The United Church of Canada Archives

Archives Database

The Archives database contains our described collections (fonds) of textual records.

• You can do keyword searches through the Quick Search screen. Or, click the Advanced Search link to narrow your search.

• The results of your search will initially be displayed in a brief report. Click “View full report” for more details, including the finding aid number for a collection.
• If a finding aid is hyperlinked, you can click the link to access the finding aid online (see below for information about finding aids).

Graphics Database

The Graphics database contains item-level descriptions of photographs and images in our collections. Some scanned images will appear with thumbnail images next to the description.

Library Collection

Our library collection has approximately 12,000 items and can be searched through the University of Toronto Libraries website.

• Items in our collection say “United Church of Canada Archives” and identify a call number.
• Please contact the Archives before visiting for any library materials. Many are stored offsite.

Glossary

accession number

The number given to each group of records received at the Archives chronologically by year. It is also the physical location for the records. Example: 2009.155C.

call number

A series of letters and numbers used to identify a particular book or journal and to determine the order in which an item is placed on the bookshelves of a library. Example: BX9881.823 H6 PAM.

finding aid

A tool that will help you find information in archival materials. There are many different types of finding aids, including published or unpublished inventories, container and folder lists, card catalogues, calendars, indexes, registers, databases, technical information packages, and institutional guides.

fonds

A French term for the records or papers of a particular individual, institution, or organization. It means the “whole” of the records.

How to Use Finding Aids

A finding aid is a tool for locating specific records in an archives collection. It identifies the file title, the date, and which box (or microfilm reel) the records are stored in.

For example, to locate a 1925 marriage record from Beachburg (Ont.), you would request:

• Accession 89.054L, Box 5os-File 1. These records have been microfilmed (LCM-63). Where records have been microfilmed, the film will be provided to researchers to preserve the original records.

• If you need records that have been microfilmed, you have the option of requesting the reel through your local library (ensure it has a microfilm reader!). We will mail the reels to a library so you don’t have to travel to our Archives. The interlibrary loan request form [PDF: 1 p/255 KB] must be filled out by the library for consideration.