(also check the Irving House/New Westminster Museum and Archives Home Page)
This pamphlet is offered by the New Westminster Museum/Archives as a guide to our archival holdings and collection. It will help you to determine what type of assistance and resources we can offer.
When you undertake historical research you could be looking for information about any number of things - your family tree; your house or business; a pocket watch, an old book; a big old tree; a river; you name it. Whatever you are looking for, there is always a need to start with some vital information. Therefore, when you go into a resource like the New Westminster Museum/Archives, please have a few things in mind to help us out so that we can give the appropriate directions. Depending on your search, we will probably ask you...
With these questions answered, we will be better able to assist you in your research
Most of the material described in this guide is accessible through finding aids, card files, catalogues and inventories which you may search yourself. Other material is original, and/or requires the assistance of an Archives attendant to retrieve it for you.
As much of the information contained within the New Westminster Museum/Archives is unique, we request your assistance in handling all documents and material with great care, and ensuring that all information is retained in the correct files and in the order in which you find or receive it. We are always happy to assist you to better utilize our collection. If you have any questions, please ask!
The New Westminster Museum/Archives, by virtue of the combination of the quality of its collection and the experience and local knowledge of the people associated with it, is highly regarded for its ability to provide answers and direction. The Museum/Archives maintains information in a variety of forms and with a number of different finding aids and indexes. As the focus of the collection is New Westminster, the majority of the material has specific reference or relevance to the city and its residents. For information about people, events or sites in surrounding communities, please contact Museum/Archives staff for referral.
The following are the major categories of information held by the New Westminster Museum/Archives:
People
File
This is a fairly extensive
file of newspaper clippings, obituary notices, biographical references, and,
in rare occasions, correspondence or other family material, filed alphabetically
by surname. Also included are cross reference cards to other holdings in the
Museum/Archives collection, such as the Building File. All information about
a particular surname is included in one file - i.e. information about John Smith,
Mary Smith, and George Smith is all contained in the “Smith” file. The People
File has been created from information donated to the Museum/Archives, and as
a result of previous research done by Museum/Archives staff or others who have
donated copies of their work.
Royal Engineers File
A sub-category of the People
File, this collection contains references related specifically to the members
of the Columbia Detachment of Royal Engineers who served and were stationed
in this area from 1859 to 1863.
Cemetery Records
The Museum/Archives has obtained copies of the record books of the
Fraser Cemetery, New Westminster’s major cemetery since 1870. Information in
these books is listed in both general alphabetical order (i.e. - M’s are all
together, but not in alphabetical order within each letter) and by plot designation,
and provides the name, date of interment, plot designation, section (if applicable),
undertaker, and, in some instances, the name and address of the owner of the
plot (which is not always the deceased). The Museum/Archives also has copies
of the publications produced by the B.C. Genealogical Society, which list the
text that appears on extant stones in the Fraser Cemetery.
Obituary File
This is a card file index of obituary notices that appear in the local newspapers,
the British Columbian and the Mainland Guardian. This index covers the period
1861 to 1940, is filed alphabetically by surname, and provides a reference to
the newspaper, date, and page number on which the obituary appears.
May
Day Suites
The Museum/Archives has created a number of finding aids that contain
information on the numerous girls who have been chosen as May Queen or participated
in the May Day Suite of New Westminster’s historic May Day celebration, ongoing
since 1870. A card file is is arranged alphabetically by surname, and two lists
are arranged chronologically by date and specifically by school affiliation.
Information contained in these lists includes the name of each girl, the date
of her participation in May Day, school affiliation (if available) and the position
she held within the Suite.
Building File
This file contains information about construction date and history,
water connection date(s), architectural style, site information, occupancy,
business and personal connections of various buildings and homes within the
City of New Westminster. Originally based on information contained within the
City’s Heritage Resource Inventory, this file is currently being augmented by
Museum/Archives staff, and is growing and evolving to include information contained
in various other sources within the Museum/Archives and the City. The ultimate
goal is to have a file of information for each building in the City.
Architectural
Plans
This is a small collection of blueprints and architectural drawings
of a variety of buildings in the City. The majority of the plans date from the
1920’s to 1940’s, and all are commercial buildings or institutions. The Museum/Archives
does not have architectural drawings of individual houses.
Maps
The Museum/Archives contains a small collection of maps of the City.
These include copies of maps produced by the Royal Engineers in the early 1860’s
copies of the Goad Fire Insurance Maps of 1907 and 1913, and a copy of the 1994
Engineering maps of the City.
Resource File
This collection is primarily made up of newspaper clippings and other
duplicated material, filed alphabetically by topic. It contains general information
on both historical and modern subjects of relevance to the City of New Westminster.
Manuscripts
This is a collection of original archival material, including correspondence,
minute books, company records, and personal papers of a small number of local
businesses and individuals. This material is processed to the Preliminary Manuscript
Inventory stage, and is filed alphabetically by subject and numerically by manuscript
number.
Pamphlets
This collection of original archival material includes printed material,
booklets, pamphlets, magazines, etc. It is processed to the Preliminary Pamphlet
Inventory stage, and is filed alphabetically by subject and numerically by manuscript
number.
Photograph Collection
The photograph collection currently contains over 6,000 images of
New Westminster, from the 1860’s to the present. It is accessed through a reproduced
catalogue of the images, filed alphabetically by subject; and a card file finding
aid, filed alphabetically by both subject and name and extensively cross-referenced,
with close to 10,000 additional references. The original photographs are filed
numerically by catalogue number, and, to avoid wear and tear, are only pulled
for reproduction or detailed analysis. There are a number of specific collections
within the Photograph Collection, including class photographs from Duke of Connaught
High School and T.J. Trapp Technical School; and the extensive May Day photographs
of the J.J. Johnston Collection and W.J. Johnston collection. These specific
collections also have comprehensive finding aids available. The Museum/Archives
also maintains a photocopied record of the photographic holdings of the New
Westminster Public Library, for reference purposes.
Directories
The Museum/Archives has a limited number of City Directories, which
are similar to phone books in that they list residents’ names and addresses
and are issued annually. Some directories also include a street directory, which
lists the data by street address, particularly helpful when looking for information
about a particular building. The New Westminster Public Library has a much more
extensive collection of City Directories.
Resource Library
The Museum/Archives maintains a small library of published reference
works on local history topics, as well as such subject areas as Victorian furnishings,
clothing styles, and general lifestyle.
How to Contact Us:
In Writing:
New Westminster Museum/Archives
302 Royal Avenue
New Westminster, British Columbia, CANADA
V3L 1H7
In Person:
At the above address, Museum/Archives located behind Irving House.
Archives hours are noted below:
May 1 to mid-September: Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
September to April 30: Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.To ensure staff are available to assist you, appointments are appreciated.
By Phone: (604) 527-4640
By Fax: (604) 527-4641
By Email: jodonnell@city.new-westminster.bc.ca
Adjacent to the New Westminster Museum/Archives is Irving House Historic Centre, the 1865 home of pioneer riverboat captain, William Irving and his family. Be swept back in time in 14 rooms filled with the splendour and grace of a bygone era.
Irving House Public Open Hours:
| May 1 to Labour Day | Wednesday through Sunday | 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| September to April 30 | Saturdays and Sundays | 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Back to Local Organizations