Collections, Records, and Research
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Collections and Research
The Rooms collects and preserves objects, artworks and archival materials relevant to the past, present and future of Newfoundland and Labrador.
You will find everything you need to start your own research journey:
- Government Records
- Maps
- Photographs
- Film
- Natural History Specimens,
- Archeological Finds
- Historic Objects
- Artworks from our province and beyond
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact our Archives Reference Room.
Interested in donating an item to our Collection? Contact us at collections@therooms.ca.
Search the Archives
Search the online database for descriptions of our archival records and to view thousands of digital photographs.
Vital Statistics (Deaths 1950 - 1968)
The Department of Digital Government and Service NL Vital Statistics Division has provided this collection of over 59,000 Newfoundland and Labrador death certificates to The Rooms Provincial Archives for public access and research.
Search Soldier Files
Search the military service files of the First Newfoundland Regiment (later "Royal") and the Newfoundland Forestry Companies, including the officers, other ranks, attached specialists and Drum and Bugle Corps.
Died in Service
Died in Service is a commemorative database featuring some 1800 individual wartime biographies of those from Newfoundland and Labrador who gave their lives in service during the First World War.
Still Images
More than 400,000 photographic items, including a large assortment of photographic prints and about 14,000 glass plate negatives, make up our Still Images Collection. The collection also contains examples of earlier forms of photographic materials, such as tintypes, daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and glass lantern slides.
Government Archives
The Rooms acquires and preserves records created by Government departments, agencies, boards, commissions or Crown Corporations. This rich archival resource is made available for research, subject to the provisions of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy
Authorization from the Public Records Committee must be granted before records are added to The Rooms’ Government Archival collection.
Manuscripts
The Rooms acquires non-governmental records considered significant to the history of our province. The Manuscript collection contains a wide range of business records, with particular strength in mercantile records related to the Newfoundland fishery. The collection also contains extensive holdings of individuals’ journals, diaries, and correspondence. Records of non-government groups and associations can also be found here.
Cartographic and Architectural Archives
The Rooms’ Cartographic and Architectural collection contains more than 50,000 maps, plans, prints, drawings, sketches, and charts from both government and non-government sources.
Items are retrieved only twice per week, with a maximum of 20 maps per researcher retrieved each day.
Sport
From regatta teams to hockey teams, from soccer to sleigh races, The Rooms Sports Archives offer materials relating to professional and amateur sporting activities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Through text, image and audio, the history of sport in this province is documented and available for research.
We hold correspondence, scrapbooks, over 5,000 photographs, clippings, and organizational records dating back to approximately 1820.
Services and Fees
Services
The Rooms Archivists provide assistance to researchers, both on-site and via email, phone, fax or mail. An appointment can be made with an Archivist to explore specific research requirements and interests.
Our Archives staff can discuss research topics, point out possible archival sources, and provide guidance in locating those sources.
Fees:
All fees are subject to HST (add 15%). Cheques or money orders, payable to The Rooms Corporation, are due at the time of the request.
- Researcher Registration Number: General admission fees do not apply to the Archives. First-time users pay $10 to obtain a permanent Researcher Registration Number.
- Photocopies: .25 per 8" x 10" page | .25 per 11" x 14" page | .50 per 11" x 17" page
After the first 30 minutes of photocopying, $15/hour will be charged for labour. - Paper Prints from Microfilm: .50 per page. After the first 30 minutes of photocopying, $15/hour will be charged for labour.
- Record search: $20 for an 11-year search (includes the year requested plus five years either side of that date)
- Genealogical search: $20 for an 11-year search for a baptism, marriage or burial entry from our pre-1892 records.
- True Copy: $20 for an extract of a vital record or census entry
- Certified copy: $20 for document certification for legal purposes
- Private Researcher List: $50 per year for listing | $10 to change any information in listing before annual renewal
- Fax (long distance): $1 per page in addition to calling charges
- Postage and handling: $1 for up to nine pages | $2 for up to 49 pages | $5 for up to 99 pages | $6 for up to 199 pages | $7 for 200+ pages
- Courier: Charges for courier services are the responsibility of the researcher.
- Handling fee for outsourced copying: $10 flat fee for 1-5 items | $15 flat fee for 6-10 items | $20 for 10 items and more
- Inter-library loans returns: $5.00 per reel
- Printouts from databases: $.25 per page
For information or assistance in accessing The Rooms Archives, call (709) 757-8030 or email archives@therooms.ca
Order Forms
Do you have specific information needs? The Rooms Archival staff are happy to help.
Requests for reproductions, copies and special searches can be facilitated by completing these PDF forms, which can be downloaded, printed and completed.
- Archival Materials Reproduction
- Copying Request with Copy Policy
- True Copy Request
- Off-Site Retrieval Request
- Genealogical Request For Search (Pre 1892 Records Only)
- Census Request For Search
Submit completed forms by email, mail or fax to:
Email: Attach completed PDF forms and send to archives@therooms.ca
Mail: The Rooms - Archives
P. O. Box 1800, Station C
St. John’s, NL A1C 5P9
Fax: 709-757-8017