Definition of an Archives

With some exceptions (which will be addressed later), archival documents are primary sources. A primary source is an original piece of work. For example, a diary, letter, photograph, or watercolour painting are not published; they are original pieces of work.

Working with archival sources is a very effective and exciting way to independently find out about things. For example, rather than reading a book by someone who has read the original diary, with their own personal opinions about the text, researchers can come to their own conclusions by reading the original themselves. If you like, "Get it straight from the horse's mouth". As you can appreciate, we all need to come to our own conclusions about things!

However, be warned. Research in an archives is much more difficult and time consuming than in, for example, a library. Nevertheless, if patient and dedicated, you will find that archival research is extremely rewarding. There are many buried treasures in the archives, so don't be discouraged.What exactly is in the archives

Perhaps, one of the best ways to define what an archives is, would be to simply list what is housed in one (“Housed” is an archival term meaning kept). The following is a basic listing of what kinds of things you will find in the Quesnel & District Museum's archives.

Textual Records (Community & Public)
This is a big section. Diaries, ledgers, letters, land assessment records, or minutes are textual records. In general, just think of things that have writing (or text) on them. The text is most commonly on paper, but it could also be on bark, vellum (lambskin), parchment (animal skin - in general) or even plastic! It is the writing that is important, not what it is actually on. Incidentally, remember that archival records do not necessarily have to be old! The City Council Minutes, which are being created today, are archival records.

Short lived documents
An example would be a Billy Barker's Day program, a funeral program, theatre ticket, train schedule, invitation to dinner/ball

Government Publications
Examples include: the Official Community Plan, Newsletters, Studies, or informational publications put out by the government {Quesnel's City Hall, for instance}.

Other items in the Archives
Original works of art • Paintings or drawings • Ephemera • Photographs, Negatives & Slides • Film, Microfilm, & Video Tapes • Oral History Tapes • Cassette Tapes with a recording of Louis LeBourdais or John A. Fraser, for example • Computer disks • Newspapers • Maps • And Sometimes Books