Reference Service
The Archives holds City of Victoria government records (inactive), private records of businesses, organizations and individuals of Greater Victoria, photographs and maps. Access is provided free of charge and no appointment is needed. Users are required to carry out their own research but Archives staff are available to guide researchers to the various sources and to explain how to use the finding aids and the records.
Some commonly used reference tools are:
Some resources are available on microfilm such as Council minutes, assessment rolls, Collector's rolls and the Ross Bay Cemetery plot books.
[back to top]
Photographs
The Archives has a collection of approximately 150,000 images. About 8,000 images are described at the item level for public reference. Copies can be ordered of most photographs held by the Archives.
[back to top]
Rules and Regulations
- All visitors must sign the register
- There is no food or drink permitted in the reference room
- Only pencils are permitted for taking notes (Archives can provide pencils and note paper)
- Researchers are permitted to use portable PCs in the reference room
- Materials may not be removed from the Archives
- Local Government records maintained by the Archives are subject to Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and restrictions may apply
[back to top]
If You Can't Visit The Archives...
The Archives will respond to enquiries by mail, phone, fax and email. Although Archives staff are not able to do in-depth research, they will attempt to provide basic answers and information regarding research tools and sources.
[back to top]
Copying Archival Material
Photocopies of many of the records may be obtained but some records are subject to conservation, copyright and legal restrictions. Copies are made by staff and are available as quickly as time allows.
photocopies .25 per page
micrographic copies .50 per page
