SUBJECT INDEX TO MICROFILMS
Compiled by
Allan Good
INTRODUCTION
Since its establishment in 1967, the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick (PANB) has maintained a vibrant program of microfilming New Brunswick documents, of collecting records on microfilm relevant to New Brunswick which are housed in other archives, and of lending through the mail its microfilms to other institutions world-wide. The goal of the microfilming program has been to provide as much information as possible to as many as possible in order to facilitate research of all kinds. Secondary goals attained have been increased security of intrinsically valuable original documents, preservation of copies of records held by individuals or corporate entities, and economic savings to the Province when homogeneous series of records, such as case files and tax assessments, are microfilmed and destroyed.
Considering the "amount" of material on microfilm, the complexity of locating information so stored, and the various other difficulties arising from using microfilmed records, such a tool as a subject-oriented index to the microfilm holdings is considered indispensable. When using this index, the following points such be noted:
1. INDEXING METHODOLOGY-- "Description of Contents"
This index is provided to allow access to microfilms by subject. The researcher should, however, note that not every microfilm is yet indexed to the same level. For example, large bodies of records such as those produced by the "Loyalist Studies Microfilming Project" in the 1970s (which filmed records relating to the United Empire Loyalists found in several countries) are not indexed internally. That is, not every film has been reviewed to include every name, subject, etc., in this index. However, we have tried to index major titles and sub-divisions of each microfilm. For example, when records from several churches or school are on a film, we have tried to include each church or each school name individually. Nonetheless, researchers should note that more detail and information on the records filmed is available in the finding aids, inventories, etc., of the Archives. Indeed, because of archival complexities, access restrictions, or lending restrictions, several entries in the index refer researchers to these specialized finding aids.
2. "DATES"
The dates included in the Guide are for the items described, not for the entire film. These dates give only a broad range or indication of the time period covered; or, as in the case of published items, the date of publication.
3. "FILM #"
All microfilms at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick are designated by an "F"-number beginning with F1 to infinity.
4. "RS/MC #"
This refers to the archival designation of the documents stored
in PANB Usually, more information on the records filmed, including
the global context of particular items, is available in the finding
aids under the RS (Record Series) designation for government records
or under the MC (Manuscript Collection) designation for
private-source documents.
5. "R" -- RESTRICTED ACCESS
This code indicates access restrictions. In these cases, records on microfilm are not available for public inspection either because of the wishes of the private donor or because of legislation. Questions concerning such records should be directed to those responsible for the maintenance and security of such records.
6. "P" -- PUBLISHED
This code indicates that the item is in published format, such as newspapers, books, and articles.
7. "LOCALE"
Where applicable, the Guide includes the geographical locale (town, city, parish, etc.) as another aid to identifying appropriate microfilms for research. The locale given for newspapers is the place of publication. Where the records cover the entire province or region, no locale is specified.
8. "CO" -- COUNTY
Where applicable, the specific county to which the records have reference has been included. The abbreviations used for New Brunswick's fifteen counties are as follows:
AL=Albert
CA=Carleton
CH=Charlotte
GL=Gloucester
KE=Kent
KI=Kings
MA=Madawaska
NO=Northumberland
QU=Queens
RE=Restigouche
SJ=Saint John
SU=Sunbury
VI=Victoria
WE=Westmorland
YO=York
Where applicable, records from other jurisdictions are coded as follows:
AC = Acadia (usually relating to pre-1763 French activity in the region)
ME = Maine
NS = Nova Scotia
PQ = Quebec
When many or all counties are included in the records, no county is specified.
REGISTRY OFFICE LAND RECORDS
This index does not include reference to the land registry office records on microfilm. The registry office records include information on land sales, mortgages, leases, and the other instruments filed concerning land ownership and transfer thereof. There are nearly 6000 reels of such records divided by county in RS84 to RS98 available at the Provincial Archives.
LIMITATIONS TO LENDING:
Researchers should note that although this index is a master list to most of the microfilms at the PANB, not all of the microfilms can be lent through the Inter-Library Loan (I.L.L.) program. Microfilms cannot be lent: 1) when the film held by PANB is only a working copy of another institution's records, 2) when information on the microfilm is restricted (R) from public inspection by legislation, and 3) when the holder or donor of records places limitations on how or where the microfilm is to be used.