|
Search the Saskatchewan Homestead Index
A. Research and Reference Services
B. Research Inquiries
C. How Can We Help You
D. Doing Research in Person
- Reading Room Rules and Regulations
- Reference Interview
- Saskatoon Office and Regina Office
- Inter-office Shipments
- Access to Private Restricted Records
- Access to Restricted Government Records
E. Conducting Research From a Distance
- Microfilm Loans
- Ordering Reproductions
- Procedures for Handling Distance Research Inquiries
- List of Independent Researchers for Hire
F. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Research and Reference Services
The Saskatchewan Archives is a public service institution dedicated to encouraging and assisting everyone who is interested in exploring our province's history. The varied sources available at the Archives are best consulted by a personal visit to our reading rooms.
It is helpful to prepare for your visit by reading the published sources available on your research topic before approaching the original primary sources in the Archives. If your own past research or the published sources you read contain citations to records found in the collections of the Saskatchewan Archives, bring the exact citation when you visit.
Patrons interested in researching their family history should consult the family history section of this website before making your visit to the archives. This part of our website devotes an entire section to advising researchers how to prepare for genealogical research visits.
Although you are not required to make an appointment, it is often wise to contact the Archives before your visit, to determine which sources are available for your topic, their extent, and their accessibility. While most archival materials are open to researchers, access conditions have been placed on some public and private record collections.
Research Inquiries
The Saskatchewan Archives is a public service institution dedicated to encouraging and assisting everyone who is interested in exploring our province's history. There is a special excitement in discovering your past through the use of original documents. Whether you are doing research for a writing project, preparing a family history, or satisfying personal curiosity, our staff welcomes the opportunity to help you. Saskatchewan Archives staff responds to thousands of inquiries each year, from in-person visitors, as well as inquiries received by mail, e-mail, fax, and telephone.
How Can We Help You?
We are able to answer specific inquiries about our holdings, which relate primarily to the province of Saskatchewan, including its government, history, economy, geography, and people.
We cannot undertake in-depth research on any topic, including broad-based historical research or speculative family history inquiries.
Doing Research In Person
In person registration
If you wish to use the reading rooms at the Archives, our reference staff
will ask you to complete a registration form and to produce one piece of
identification (preferably photo id.) The form includes a list of the rules
and regulations which govern the use of our archival materials, which we
hope you will read to become more familiar with the care and handling of
archival records. Once you are registered, you receive a research pass,
which is valid in both of our offices. We ask that you bring your pass
whenever you visit us, and that you sign our daily register on your way into
the reading room. This register helps us maintain user statistics.
Reading Room Rules and Regulations
The following rules and regulations govern the use of archival materials in the reading
rooms of the Saskatchewan Archives. The purpose of these rules and regulations is
to help protect the unique holdings of the archives, while providing a positive working
environment for archives' patrons.
- Leave coats, bags and briefcases outside the Reading Room. Lockers are available upon request. Researchers are advised that personal belongings taken into the Reading Room may be searched upon leaving.
- Do not smoke, eat or drink in the reference area; do not take in food or beverages.
- Inform the reference staff if you wish to use a camera, tape recorder or personal computer.
- Use only pencils, and do not mark documents in any way. Pencils will be provided if necessary.
- Handle all archival materials with extreme care.
- Do not remove the portion of the request slip, which has been attached to materials by reference staff.
- Do not disturb the order of documents in files. Misplaced or damaged documents should be reported to the reference archivist.
- Do not remove documents from files for any reason. If photocopies are required, special forms and markers will be provided. Be advised that some documents are too fragile to be copied.
- Do not remove archival materials from the reference area for any purpose.
- Close folders and boxes not being consulted to minimize exposure to light.
- Work as quietly as possible. Conferences with either reference staff or other researchers, or the use of cellular telephones should take place outside the Reading Room.
- Ask reference staff for information on access to restricted collections.
- Do not share the contents of restricted records with persons who have not been granted access to them. Return restricted records to the reference desk in person.
- Inform reference staff if you are leaving, either temporarily or for the day. Advise staff if you would like materials held until your next visit.
- Be advised that the responsibility for conforming with copyright, libel and privacy legislation lies with the researcher.
Reference Interview
After you have registered and have received your research pass, our
reference staff will be happy to discuss your research topic with you. We
explain the services available at Saskatchewan Archives, suggest relevant
sources, and introduce you to the finding aids held in our reading room.
Please consult our reference staff throughout the course of your research
project.
Saskatoon Office and Regina Office
The Saskatchewan Archives operates out of two cities in the province: Regina and Saskatoon. Offices in both cities offer the full range of reference services described on this website. However, each office has areas of specialization, as described below:
Regina office sources:
- most collections pertaining to the region from central to southern Saskatchewan
- majority of provincial government records
- court records
- premiers' and cabinet ministers' papers from 1926 on
- architectural records
Saskatoon office sources:
- most collections pertaining to the region from central to northern Saskatchewan
- some early provincial government records
- premiers' and cabinet ministers' papers prior to 1926
Finding aids for the collections in both Regina and Saskatoon are available in both reading rooms. If you have a specific research interest, but you are unsure of where the records might be located, please contact us before your visit.
Inter-office Shipments
Because we operate out of two locations, the Saskatchewan Archives provides a free inter-office shipment service to its patrons. Every two weeks, a shipment of records from the Regina office is sent to Saskatoon for use by patrons in the Saskatoon reading room, and a shipment of records from the Saskatoon office is sent to Regina for use by patrons in the Regina reading room. The following rules apply:
- Patrons may complete "Inter-office Shipment Request" forms to order up to 100 centimetres of textual records and up to 10 reels of microfilm per shipment.
- Request forms should be submitted to the office where the records will be viewed.
- Patrons are given one month to use the records before they are returned to their home office, although extensions may be granted by a reference archivist. Materials that have been requested by another patron in the home office must be returned at the end of the one month loan period. A new order will not be accepted from a patron until all previous orders have been returned to their home office.
- Out of town researchers who would like to have materials shipped so that they can conduct their research in one location should provide the Archives with at least three weeks notice before their date of arrival, to ensure that materials are shipped on time.
Access to Private Restricted Records
Some private records at the Saskatchewan Archives may have access restrictions. Individual files are identified as restricted and marked as such, in either the finding aid to a specific collection of records or on the card in the card catalogue. If an entire collection of records is restricted the Guide to Finding Aids lists the title of the finding aid as restricted. The finding aid itself is also not readily accessible to researchers.
If a researcher has enquiries regarding access to private records, reference staff will provide advice in the procedure for requesting access. The researcher should have the correct collection number and title of the records, and know in general terms what records are being requested. Reference staff will inform the researcher of the terms of restriction and will identify the name and address of the donor. The researcher must then make a written request to the donor for permission to view the records. The following should be part of the written request:
- a description of the research project including the topic, purpose of study, how the information is to be used
- the research status of the individual (i.e. student, genealogist, professor, local historian, media)
- a request to copy relevant parts of the collection, if necessary
If the donor grants access to the records, the researcher must bring the original document identifying the terms of this access to the Archives. It should be noted that granting access to the records is the prerogative of the donor.
Out-of-town researchers may wish to consult reference staff for details on restricted records and contact donors for written permission to access material prior to visiting our offices.
Access to Restricted Government Records
Public access to government records acquired by the Saskatchewan Archives is governed by The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Access to most records is restricted for 25 years after the record was created. Records containing personal information as defined by the act must be restricted for a longer time period.
Should researchers wish access to restricted government records they must do so in a written request to the Provincial Archivist that includes the following:
- a description of the research project including the topic, purpose of study, how the information is to be used
- the research status of the individual (i.e. student, genealogist, professor, local historian, media)
- a request to copy relevant parts of the collection, if necessary
Each access request is reviewed individually. Please note that this review may take time if the volume of records is large.
If access is denied to any or all of the records requested the researcher is free to make a formal application under The Freedom of Information Act. You may ask Reference staff for details. Information is also available on the Department of Justice web site:
www.saskjustice.gov.sk.ca
Conducting Research From a Distance
Research Inquiries by Telephone, Fax, Letter or Email. You can make an inquiry at any time by using our on-line form.
The best place to begin your research is at home, using local resources like the public library, local archives, museums, genealogical societies, and the many and varied internet sources which are now available online. Once you have focussed your research and have determined the information you still require, a telephone call or correspondence to Saskatchewan Archives can help determine whether the Archives has the information you are seeking.
The Saskatchewan Archives has a dedicated and knowledgeable staff willing to assist researchers in identifying and locating information from our holdings. However, due to limited resources, Archives staff cannot conduct detailed or speculative searches for you.
For projects requiring detailed or extensive research, you may need to visit the Archives in person or consider hiring the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society or a professional researcher to undertake research on your behalf.
Microfilm Loans
Some of our records are available on microfilm, which you can access via an inter-library loan arranged through your local library. Microfilmed records at the Saskatchewan Archives include: Saskatchewan weekly newspapers dating back to 1878; private records of individuals, businesses, church and service groups; and some local, provincial and federal government records. Information is available from reference staff about specific sources available on microfilm via inter-library loan.
Microfilm Loan Borrowing Policies
- Only microfilmed sources are available via inter-library loan. However, highly used daily newspapers from Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and Prince Albert are not available for loan.
- Loans must be arranged through a borrowing institution such as a library in the researcher's community. These institutions must have a microfilm reader.
- Researchers may borrow 3 reels of microfilm at a time, for a period of one month from the date of receipt by the borrowing institution.
- Requests for additional reels will be filled only when the initial 3 reels have been returned to the Archives from the borrowing institution.
- The inter-library loan fees charged to the borrowing institution are:
- Within Saskatchewan: $10.00 (plus GST, where applicable) per three reels
- Out of Saskatchewan: $15.00 (plus GST, where applicable) per three reels
- All inter-library requests must include the name of the borrowing institution and the name of the patron making the request.
- Inter-library loan requests may be submitted by the borrowing institution, by e-mail or by fax.
Ordering Reproductions
Reproductions can be made of most archival material, including textual records, oversize maps and architectural drawings, microfilmed documents, photographs, audio cassettes, films, videotapes, and some records in electronic format.
For more information about ordering reproductions, including our price list and our Request for Reproductions order form (in downloadable format), please refer to the section of this website entitled "Reproduction of Archival Materials."
Saskatchewan Archives' Procedures for Handling Distance Research Inquiries
- Inquiries are received by phone, conventional mail, e-mail, or fax, or via our online form. Inquiries arriving by these means are given equal priority, and are handled in the order in which they are received. E-mail inquiries are not given priority treatment.
- The first response to the patron is an automatic reply to acknowledge receipt of inquiry.
- All incoming inquiries are tracked to ensure that they are answered in a timely and orderly manner.
- Due to the large number of inquiries that we receive, Archives staff must place limits on the amount of research undertaken for any distant patron during the year.
- Response time will depend on the complexity of your inquiry, and on the time required to check our sources. In most cases, we will respond two to three weeks after we receive your request.
To e-mail an inquiry using our on-line form, click here.
In order to avoid duplication of effort , PLEASE SEND YOUR INQUIRY TO EITHER THE REGINA OR THE SASKATOON REFERENCE SERVICES OFFICE, BUT NOT TO BOTH. When inquiries require input from staff or information from collections in the other office, our reference services staff will consult with their colleagues in the other office in order to bring together a complete response from our institution.
Independent Researcher Register
The following register contains the names of individuals and organizations available
for contracted services in genealogical and general historical research. Please
note that the list does not constitute accreditation or recommendation by the
Saskatchewan Archives, and we cannot accept responsibility for their performance.
Any agreement for research services will remain between the patron and the
independent researcher. Please direct any enquiries concerning services and
fees directly to the researcher of your choice.
There are two registers, one for genealogical research and one for historical
and related research in archival sources located in Saskatchewan.
Genealogical Researchers
Brian Brodie, Certified Saskatchewan Researcher
2720 Thornton Avenue
Regina, SK S4S 1J1
(306) 586-3368
brodbr@sasktel.net
Saskatchewan and military genealogy
Darlene Clifford, Certified Saskatchewan Researcher
2826 Harding Street
Regina, SK S4V 0V9
(306) 789-7432
cliffords@sasktel.net
Blanche Fleming, Certified Saskatchewan Researcher
626 Moffet Drive
Weyburn, SK S4H 2M7
(306) 842-2593
bl.fleming@sasktel.net
Wanda Lantz, Certified Saskatchewan Record Searcher
Box 104
Rapid View, SK S0M 2M0
(306) 236-4150
familyties@yahoo.com
Speciality: Area surrounding Meadow Lake
Susan R. Leitch, Certified Saskatchewan Researcher
1710 East Heights
Saskatoon, SK S7J 3B9
(306) 374-7631
srleitch@sasktel.net
Ilene A. Lequyere, Certified Saskatchewan Record Searcher
126 9th Street N.E.
Weyburn, SK S4H 1E7
(306) 848-0941
ilenel@accesscomm.ca
Primarily South East Saskatchewan
Linda Neely PLCGS, MCCSG, Certified Saskatchewan Researcher
#1105, 2345 Broad Street
Regina, SK S4P 1Z1
(306) 543-8923
lneely@accesscomm.ca
Particularly southwest Saskatchewan and Aboriginal research
Bernadette Prokopetz, Certified Saskatchewan Record Searcher
P.O. Box 405
Dalmeny, SK S0K 1E0
(306) 254-4778
bprokopetz@sasktel.net
Tammy Vallee, Certified Saskatchewan & Aboriginal Researcher
315-108th St. W.
Dalmeny, SK S7N-1P7
(306) 668-1380
tamw25@shaw.ca
Specialty: Metis Research and Saskatchewan Records
Past Relations Research, Certified Saskatchewan Researchers
Shirley Bucca & Pat Ryan
60 Laird Crescent
Regina, SK S4R 4N8
(306) 545-3357
pryan@sasktel.net
Family History Instruction & Research
Mildred M. Rudolph, Certified Saskatchewan Researcher and Member of College of Certified Saskatchewan Genealogists (CCSG)
PO Box 180
Marshall, SK S0M 1R0
(306) 387-6585
m.rudolph@sasktel.net
Specialty: Lloydminster and district
Saskatchewan Genealogical Society
Box 1894
Regina, SK S4P 3E1
(306) 780-9207
sgs@accesscomm.ca
Certified researchers that do Saskatchewan and Aboriginal searches
Elaine Schwartz, Certified Saskatchewan Record Searcher
Box 62
Makwa, SK S0M 1N0
(306) 236-4757
leaves76@sasktel.net
Specialty: Area surrounding Meadow Lake
Rita Tabish-Chernoff, Certified Genealogical Records Specialist
Box 100
Sheho, SK S0A 3T0
(306) 272-4749
Fax: (306) 272-4770
cgs@sasktel.net
Specialty: Court records, Land Titles (ISC), Newspapers, Consultations
Instructor: Beginners Genealogy
Verna D. Thompson, B.J., P.Ag. (Hon), Certified Saskatchewan Records Searcher
214-1060 Dorothy Street
Regina, SK S4X 3C5
(306) 775-2407
tomgra@sasktel.net
Specialty: Saskatchewan land records and newspapers
Instructor: Certified Genealogical Instructor
Merle Ward, Certified Saskatchewan Record Searcher
427 Haslam Crescent
Saskatoon, SK S7S 1E7
(306) 652-0664
merleward@shaw.ca
Linda Wiggins, MCCSG, Certified Saskatchewan Researcher
#36 3115 119 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6J 5N5
(306) 775-0858
lwiggins@shaw.ca
Specialty: Saskatchewan records, British Isles and Alberta research.
Historical Researchers
Mike Fedyk, MA
301-1011 Sixth Street
Rosetown, SK S0L 2V0
(306) 882-2986
(306) 530-4261 (cell)
mfedyk@sasktel.net
Lockhart and Associates
Lewis and Dorothy Lockhart
Box 471
Hanley, SK S0G 2E0
(306) 544-2706
l.lockhart@sasktel.net
Prairie History
Prairie Historical Insight
Bruce W. Dawson, M.A., Historical & Heritage Interpreter
2225 Pasqua Street
Regina, SK S4T 4M5
(306) 569-2531
brucedawson@sasktel.net
Brett Quiring M.A.
7106 Bowman Ave
Regina, SK S4T 6K7
(306) 545-8533
bquiring@sasktel.net
Dwayne Yasinowski, Historical Researcher
2410 - 420 Heseltine Road
Regina, SK S4V 1N9
(306) 790-8923 or (306) 530-8472
yasinowd@uregina.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have not done so already, please go to our Frequently Asked Questions section to see if we have already answered your question.
|
