Archives

Search over 90,000 Archival records and our extensive photograph collection using easy keyword searches. Email links, post images to your social media site or send comments on records to the archives.

Archives Online Search 

Searching the Archives Collections text guide 

When visiting, you will be greeted by one of our staff members, and given an orientation to the reading room.

To protect the archival records, the following rules apply in the reading room:

• No food or drink is permitted
• Pencils only
• Documents must be handled with care
• A coat rack is provided to store coats and bags.
• Laptops, phones, and tablets may be kept at tables.
• Please silence or turn phones to vibrate and take phone conversations outside the reading room.

During your visit, if you would like to retain a copy of the records you view, you have two options:

• Researchers may take digital, photographic copies of non-restricted archival material for personal use upon verbal agreement of the Archivist, as long as it is properly handled. 

Cameras must have flash turned off.

• Researchers using resources on the research computer, on microfilm or fiche may bring a usb stick to copy/print.

Drop-in hours provide an opportunity to access materials available in the reading room. You may also discuss reference questions with archives staff. We will look into your question and suggest resources within the reading room. 

An appointment may be necessary for more complex questions and access to non-reading room materials. 

Materials held in the reading room include:

• Fire Insurance maps from 1885-1957
• New Westminster Times 1859-1861 (on microfilm)
• British Columbian Daily 1861-1869, 1880-1983 (on microfilm)
• Mainland Guardian 1869-1889 (on microfilm)
• Weekly British Columbian 1890-1922 (on microfilm)
• New Westminster Now/Record 1984-2014 (on microfilm)
• New Westminster Directories 1885-1995
• Reference files organized by surname, subject, and address
• City bylaws 1906-2011 (on microfiche)
• City Council minutes August 9, 1860  - November 28, 2011 (on microfiche)
• City Assessment Rolls 1890, 1892 (digital copy)
• Water Connections by address
• Reference Library consisting of published material about New Westminster and region or created using New Westminster archival resources 
• Alphabetical index to Bowell and Sons funeral home.
• Partial index Mainland Guardian 1871-1889
• Partial index the British Columbian Daily 1861-1869, 1882-1885, 1891-1895, 1899-1903, 1957-1983 
• Partial index the Weekly British Columbian 1902-1913

Check drop-in hours

Appointments are designed to access materials that are not in the reading room, available during drop-in hours. It is recommended that you prepare to make the most of your time at the archives. You can search descriptions of records ahead of time through the Archives’ Online Search tool.

City Archives staff are available by phone or email to discuss your research. They can help you identify potentially relevant records. 

After you have identified the records that you would like to view, you may email the Archives at archives@newwestcity.ca or call 604-527-4640 to book an appointment.

To book an appointment you will be asked about your topic of research, any reference codes for the records you want to view, the date and time slot you’d prefer. 

Some records are restricted due to privacy or donor restrictions, and condition. Photographs are made available through the online database.

The New Westminster Archives does not require formal permission to publish or license material available on our online database.

It is the responsibility of patrons to follow any applicable laws governing the use of records, including, but not limited to, Canadian copyright legislation.

We offer digital reproductions of our materials for a fee. Most scanned images and audio visual materials my be requested for a fee $16.90 per item.

Photocopies of textual materials are available for a fee of $.60 per page and will be provided through email as a PDF.

Note: some circumstances may prohibit reproductions such as if the material is too large or too fragile.

When requesting a reproduction, indicate the body of your email the record ID number, intended use of the reproduction, a phone number you where you may be reached, any special instructions.

After receiving your email we will contact you to review your order.

Payment through debit or credit is required before your order is filled. Credit cards accepted are VISA and Mastercard.

Materials are delivered as downloadable files through a link sent to you by email. Most orders are completed within 7 to 10 days.

Request reproductions

The New Westminster Archives collects, preserves, and makes accessible records documenting the decisions and activities of civic government, of local businesses, organizations, and people. The archives stewards these documents enriching New Westminster’s history for the use of residents, visitors, and researchers.

Items that are of potential interest to the Archives include (but are not limited to):

• correspondence
• financial records
• diaries
• legal records
• photographs
• pamphlets and reports
• sound recordings
• moving images

We review donations of digital records on a case-by-case basis. When evaluating these donations, we consider file size, format, and other criteria.

We do not accept:

• publications such as newspapers and magazines
• photocopies
• single items without context and/or documentation
• duplicates of items we already have in the collection

If you have material which you think might be of interest to the Archives, please email us. Include as much background information as possible (e.g. name of creator, number of items, record types, subject matter, dates of creation, history of ownership, physical condition, and other details. We will contact you to discuss your donation. We may ask you to provide a list and information on the person or organization that created the records. 

While many items are of historical value, not all material fall within the scope of our mandate. Donations may not be accepted if they are out of our collections mandate, based on the physical condition of the records, our capacity to care for them, or other criteria.

Discuss the possible donation of your items by contacting our Archivist.

If your donation is accepted by the Archives, we will give you a Deed of Gift Agreement to review and complete. This will cover ownership, copyright, use, and access.

We prefer not to have any access restrictions. However, we recognize that records with sensitive and/or personal information may need special consideration.

Records in archival collection are typically accessible to the public. They are used for research, reproduction, publication, and exhibit purposes. Items may also be described and made available online through the Archives website. Please bring to the attention of the archivist records which may have personal, sensitive information or other accessibility concerns.

Approved donations can be brought to the archives or, if you are in the area, an archivist may be able to come to you. It’s asked that you please do not reorganize or repair materials prior to donating them, as the original order is important. Attempting to repair materials may cause irreparable damage.