Our Collections

Government Records
The Saskatchewan Archives serves as the "collective memory" of the Government of Saskatchewan, its departments, crown corporation, commissions, boards, agencies and court system. It performs the same function for various local government institutions including urban and rural municipalities, school boards and divisions.

As part of the Saskatchewan Archives' mandate under The Archives Act, the Government Records Branch provides records management services for the provincial government, reviews all government records eligible for disposal and acquires those records which possess long-term historical significance for permanent preservation. The Saskatchewan Archives acquires records that document the activities of government institutions or shed light on the evolution of the province and its people. Records are collected in all information formats including paper, microfilm, maps, drawings, photographs, audio tape, videotape and film. The government records collection includes case files, program documentation and administrative records.

The records in our collection date back to the territorial period (1870s to 1905) when Battleford and then Regina were the capitals of the North West Territories and when the Territories included what is now Saskatchewan, Alberta and northern Manitoba. Other records document the province's more recent past. The collection reflects the changing role of government and the changing concerns of the people of Saskatchewan.

Government records are a useful resource to researchers. Homestead records, school district records, and local government records provide helpful information for genealogists and local history projects. Records of commissions and inquiries reflect contemporary concerns and propose solutions on a variety of social issues. Court records dating back to the territorial period provide a wealth of information for genealogists and historians alike.

Researchers may access records through Reference Services. Access to government records collections is governed by The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. As a general rule this means that access to government records are restricted for 25 years in the case of administrative and policy records, and longer in the case of records containing personal information. Researchers may request access to restricted collections by writing a letter to the Provincial Archivist. If access is denied you may seek access through formal Freedom of Information procedures. Reference staff can provide assistance.

Maps and Architectural Drawings
Maps and architectural drawings are an important part of the documentary heritage of Saskatchewan. Physically removed from larger collections of textual records for preservation as individual items, or received in large collections composed primarily of such documents, they provide a unique and visual record.

The maps held by the Saskatchewan Archives were created for many different purposes. There are early survey maps dating from the 1870s, maps showing landowners in various parts of the province, maps showing Indian Reserves, railway development and early trails. There are soil survey maps, geological survey maps and maps of forest reserves. Both offices also have maps from the National Topographical Survey series.

Architectural drawings represent a wide variety of buildings including churches, schools, banks, government buildings and private residences. The Regina office has several collections of drawings created by architectural firms in that city.

Databases and guides are available to locate most items. Access to and copying of some documents may be limited under the terms of donor agreements. Reference staff can assist researchers in using the finding aids and provide further information regarding access.

Microfilm
The Saskatchewan Archives' microfilm program began in the late forties, with the filming of all Saskatchewan weekly newspapers that were subscribed to by the Legislative Library. With the cooperation of the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association, the Archives continues to film early and current issues of over 500 newspapers, striving to create the most comprehensive provincial collection. Dating back to 1878, with the founding of the Saskatchewan Herald, newspapers are an excellent source for research on any number of topics.

Other historical records are also available to researchers in microfilm format. In instances where original records cannot be donated to the Archives, private individuals, churches, and service groups often lend us materials such as diaries, personal papers, parish registers, and minutes. These are microfilmed and made available to the research public.

The microfilming of records has also enabled the Archives to acquire filmed material from other institutions. For example, microfilm copies of the National Archives of Canada's ship passenger lists and census records are available in both offices of the Saskatchewan Archives.

Conservation: Various microfilming projects have also been undertaken in order to protect certain records from the physical deterioration that results from extensive use. Collections that are being or have been microfilmed for preservation purposes include the original homestead files for Saskatchewan, inactive teachers registers (1912-1938), tax and assessment records, and early volumes of daily newspapers.

Moving Image Archives
Like many other heritage organizations, the Saskatchewan Archives recognizes the value of moving images and sound documents as historical, cultural, and social records in their own right. The moving picture has mesmerized and entertained people in the province since the turn of the century. The Government of Saskatchewan, wanting to promote agricultural development, quickly became aware of the power of the medium. In 1913, it dispatched Regina photographer Edgar Rossie to New York to learn the craft of film making. Saskatchewan also became the home of the renowned cinematographer Dick Bird. He arrived in 1919, and devoted the next fifty years to documenting the people, institutions and the natural habitat of the province. Since the arrival of television in the 1950s, and a flourishing independent film and video industry in recent years, a wide ranging interest exists in documents that move and speak.

The Saskatchewan Archives moving image collection consists of more than 24,000 film and video tape items. The Archives is the official repository for all government documents, and government film materials form about 50% of the moving image holdings. The remainder of the collection has been acquired from corporate bodies, private organizations and individuals. Several thousand television news items produced by CFQC Saskatoon, CKCK Regina and CBKT (CBC) Regina, 1956-1979, are also held by the Archives. The greater portion of the film collection is 16mm safety print stock from the 1950s to the 1970s. There are, however, many significant items, such as those found in the John Poole Collection, from the 1920s through to the 1940s. Shot at Fort San in 1935, Fight Tuberculosis is the oldest surviving talkie in the collection.

Video recordings date from the 1970s to the present and include the proceedings of the Saskatchewan Legislature since 1982, productions of the Departments of Education, Agriculture, Tourism and SaskMedia. Also available are off-air recordings of the evening news of CKCK Regina (1983-present); CBKT Regina (1984-present); STV Regina (1987-present); and CBKT Saskatoon (1986-1992).

Cataloguing and Description: Finding aids include a manual card catalogue and computer data base, the Saskatchewan Archives Moving Image Bank, shot lists (if available), dope sheets or release sheets, and anchorpersons script. Subject indexing is according to PAASH with some modifications. Access points are title, statement of responsibility, and subject.

Private Records
The private records actively acquired and preserved by the Saskatchewan Archives (traditionally known as manuscript records) include personal papers of families and individuals (diaries, correspondence, records of professional activities, farm accounts and reminiscences); and non-active records of non-government organizations, businesses, clubs, societies and labour unions (minutes of meetings, bylaws, proposals, reports, newsletters, membership lists, financial statements, and promotional material).

Our holdings also include legislative and political party records (speeches, briefing notes, committee minutes, agenda and reports, notices, constituency correspondence, letters, party conference and election material) representing all political interests. These collections include the official constituency and portfolio records of individual members of the legislature while in office, and their private papers. The records provide insight into political issues, party policy, and personal experiences of the parliamentary system.

Using Private Records: Private records are best researched through consulting our main card catalogue, the numerous guides to the records, and the reference archivist on duty. Access restrictions may apply to some of the records and their guides. Researchers should be aware that written permission of donors will be required to use these records.

Recorded Sound Collection
The Saskatchewan Archives acquires and preserves recorded sound documents of a diversified nature that are pivotal to a better understanding of the province. This collection consists of recordings created by government, private and public radio stations, and individuals. The Archive's primary goal in this area is to collect recorded sound documents that enrich and complement written, printed and visual materials. Recordings date from the 1940s and the collection is one of the largest in Canada.

Currently there are over 20,000 recorded sound documents held at both locations of the Saskatchewan Archives. While the genre of the material is quite eclectic, the largest is the oral history collection. Interviews have been recorded with farmers, soldiers, trappers, miners, activists, politicians, clerics, members of ethnic groups, indigenous peoples and many others. The Archives recognizes that a more fertile image of the past can be reconstructed by analysing the actions and views of a broad segment of the population. Oral evidence can provide both complementary and original information and can be as valuable to historians and researchers as any written source. In addition, oral history recordings possess many qualities not found in textual form. Tape recorded documents capture emotions, accents, dialects and other language idiosyncrasies of the interviewees. These qualities may be useful not only to the historian but also to the linguist, ethnographer, folklorist or genealogist. Oral history can also be presented in a variety of ways; it can be broadcast, published or used in a multimedia format.

Oral history interviews are indexed in the main card catalogue by the name of the individual interviewee and by project name. Project summaries and lists of interviewees can be found in our guide GR 251. Although the recording is the primary oral history document, transcripts have been prepared for many interviews.

The Archives has also undertaken to preserve radio programming considered to be of historical value. Material in this collection includes programming from nearly every Saskatchewan radio station and reflects aspects of life and development of Saskatchewan society, its culture, history, politics, immigration and economics. The Archives collection of radio broadcast material complements television programming and the vast holdings of newspaper and periodical publications that await the researcher.

Other recorded sound documents that are available to the researcher include the tape recorded Debates and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, political addresses and campaign speeches, press conferences, public hearings, enquiries and recordings of special events. The Archives also holds selections of music and songs which draw their inspiration from the land and people of Saskatchewan. These include Francophone folk songs, Doukhobor hymms, old-time fiddle music, Department of Education music lessons and many other recordings.

In recent years interest in oral history and other recorded sound documents has increased, and greater and more varied use is being made by educators, computer software developers, local historians, playwrights, radio programmers, teachers, genealogists, senior citizen groups and others. The recorded sound collection is an exciting resource which should not be overlooked by Archives users.

Societies and Organizations
Many societies and organizations, including religious institutions, businesses, professional and recreational associations, clubs, advocacy and support groups, have entrusted the Saskatchewan Archives with the care and custody of their records. Records range from those of large organizations operating throughout the province to records of small volunteer groups active in a specific field of interest and region.

The earliest records in our holdings date from the mid-1880s; the most recently acquired materials are from the present day. While some of the records are from organizations which have ceased to function, the Saskatchewan Archives also receives, at intervals, non-current records from organizations active in the community.

A very wide range of interests and activities is documented within our holdings, providing a rich source for research. Many of these records are open to research without restriction, however the Saskatchewan Archives has agreements with some donors which may place limits on access.

Finding aids are available in the form of card indexes and guides which describe the scope and content of the records, and provide assistance in locating relevant research material.

Historical Photographs
Photographs provide us with a visual record of our past. They convey not only important information about specific people, places and events, but they also serve to document as a whole the society that created them. Since 1948, the Saskatchewan Archives has been acquiring, preserving, and making accessible photographs that have a bearing on the history of the province. Over 800,000 images are maintained in separate collections in Regina and Saskatoon. Some of the earliest photographs date from the 1870s when itinerant photographers travelled the developing West. The Archives also receives photographs that record our recent past.

Photographs are acquired from several sources, including government departments and agencies, professional photographers, newspapers, organizations, museums, collectors, and private individuals. The Saskatchewan Archives is the repository for the Government of Saskatchewan's Photographic Services Agency which is an important source for documenting development in agriculture, industry, education, health, resources, recreation, transportation, the civil service, and natural history. The Russell H. Macdonald Collection demonstrates the creative work of a newspaper photographer in recording the people and current events of his time. In addition to photographs, a small documentary art collection, including political cartoons, is maintained in this section.

Frequent use of historical photographs is made by academics, writers, publishers, the media, genealogists, local historians, and the general public. Used for private study and research, photographs are most often found in publications, on film, and in television productions. Other uses include exhibits and displays, interpretive artwork, and home or business decoration.

Finding aids in the form of card indexes and descriptive inventories have been prepared to provide access to collections or individual items. Researchers may look for a particular subject, location, person, or the work of a photographer. Reference staff are available to provide consultation and can undertake limited research for persons unable to visit the Saskatchewan Archives. Written, telephone, email and fax enquiries are accepted but a personal visit is encouraged if the research criteria is extensive.

Prints, slides, and photocopies of photographs can be obtained for an established charge. Users are asked to comply with copyright and donor imposed restrictions. Staff will inform researchers of any terms governing the use of photographs. A credit to the Saskatchewan Archives Board is required when photos are used in publications, film, television broadcasts, or displays.

Donations of photographs are gratefully accepted. We appreciate the effort and consideration of people who wish to see Saskatchewan's visual heritage preserved.

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