Skip to main content

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

Archives & Special Collections (A & SC) is located on the 5th floor of the Harriet Irving Library (5 Macaulay Lane) on the Fredericton campus of the University of New Brunswick.

What are your hours?

The Archives & Special Collections Information Desk is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. - noon; 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Please note that A & SC is closed on all statutory holidays and generally over Christmas break.

How can I contact A & SC?

We can be contacted by e-mail, or mail: Box 7500, Fredericton NB E3B 5H5 Canada

Who can use material from A & SC?

All members of the university community, as well as those outside the university, are welcome to use the resources and services of the department.

Are you the same as the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick?

No; the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick (PANB) also resides on the Fredericton campus but we are separate institutions. The Provincial Archives collects and preserves the documents of the people, institutions, and government of the province. UNB Archives concentrates on the collection and preservation of the official records of UNB and New Brunswick literary papers, although we do hold some more general materials relevant to New Brunswick history.

Do I need an appointment to look at archival/manuscript material?

Yes; it is advisable that you call ahead to confirm information desk hours and that the documents you wish to see are available. This is especially important if you are visiting from out of town and/or require extensive research assistance. Very occasionally, the research room is closed for staff orientation sessions, graduate class requirements, or for Archives' staff needs. Also, as many of our documents are stored in an off-site repository, advance notice is needed in order to arrange for the retrieval and delivery of these items. In order to receive optimal service and to avoid disappointment, an appointment is strongly recommended.

How do I locate materials that are housed in A & SC?

Books - find the book wanted in UNB WorldCat - the library's on-line catalogue. Then contact archives and request the book wanted, including the location code (HILSPEC-AR, HILSPEC-H) and the call number of the book. A & SC books are retrieved by Archives’ staff and must be read in the Winslow Research Room.

Archival/manuscript material - most archival/manuscript material can be searched and found in The Gateway, our catalogue database. Material can be requested by email, in person, or through the The Gateway catalogue.  Archival materials are retrieved by Archives' staff and must be used in the Winslow Research Room, by appointment.

Can I check-out a book from A & SC?

No; our book collections are non-circulating. Copies of certain titles may be found in the main stacks of the Harriet Irving Library. Researchers are asked to check location codes within the UNB WorldCat record to confirm availability.

Can I make my own photocopies?

No.

Can I take photographs of archival materials and books with my phone camera?

Yes, generally. A & SC reserves the right to not allow photos, but these cases are rare.

Does A & SC have copies of local newspapers?

No.

Current issues of local newspapers can be found on the 1st floor of the Harriet Irving Library.

Microform copies of older newspapers can be found in the library (microforms is self-serve, whenever the library is open) through the library catalogue. Details and some digital copies can also be found at the New Brunswick Historical Newspapers Project.

The Provincial Archives of New Brunswick also has an extensive collection of New Brunswick newspapers on microfilm.

A & SC does hold copies of the Brunswickan, UNB's student newspaper. Digital copies of the Brunswickan can be found at The Student Voice.

Does A & SC have any photographs?

Yes; we have a substantial number of historic photographs of the University and its staff and students. The University Archives Photograph Collection contains images depicting all aspects of campus life. It includes shots of: campus buildings and landscapes, sporting events, social activities, and individual and group portraits. We also have many UNB class composite photographs dating from the late 19th century to the mid-1950s. These can be accessed via the Class Composite and Group Photographs Database. There are also photographs scattered throughout many of our manuscript collections. Please search The Gateway to find them.

How can I access loyalist material?

The Loyalist Collection " ... contains microfilm of British, North American Colonial, and early Canadian primary sources from approximately 1740 – 1870, with the chief focus being the American Revolution, and the early years of Loyalist settlement in British North America ... " This collection is located in the center lounge of the 5th floor of the library.

A & SC does hold two major loyalist collections: the Winslow Family Papers and the Saunders Papers. Please note that the Winslow Papers are available electronically via the web.

Does A & SC have genealogical materials?

To a limited extent; A & SC does have materials that may be useful to genealogists, but, for the most part they are secondary sources such as city directories and published census records. We do suggest that genealogists begin their research at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.

Does A & SC have birth, death, and marriage certificates?

No; researchers seeking information on New Brunswick vital statistics: birth, death, marriage and divorce records, should contact the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.