"To discover and rescue from the unsparing hand of time the records which yet remain of the earliest history of Canada. To preserve while in our power, such documents as may be found amid the dust of yet unexplored depositories, and which may prove important to general history and to the particular history of this Province, County of Richmond and adjacent areas'." (RCHS Charter October 2, 1962)
The above quote from the charter of RCHS expresses the purpose for the founding of this historical society. To that end, an archive developed and grew with historical papers and documents of particular interest to Richmond County. These documents include paper records (letters, diaries, journals and other unpublished written materials); photographs and other visual records; maps, plans and architectural records; sound recordings and oral history tapes; printed material (eg. local newspapers, books), electronically stored data and the records of the Richmond County Historical Society.
Local History
General references for local history include listings for: Richmond,
Danville, Melbourne, South Durham, Ulverton, Greenlay, Brompton, Windsor,
St. Cyr, Denison's Mills, Kingsey, Trenholmville, L'Avenir, Asbestos, Kingsbury,
Kirkdale, Shipton, Cleveland.
Specialized Areas
Genealogy
Family History researchers will find many sources for information,
which include:
Newspapers
Original newspapers, which number in excess of 600, date from 1864-1928.
These include:
Photographs & Maps
Richmond County Historical Society's collection of local area photographs
and postcards includes: schools, churches, industry, mercantile, mining, agriculture,
railway, portraits and social life.
A wide assortment of maps of the local areas is available.
Railway History
Rail enthusiasts and historians will find information and photographs
for the following historic railways:
Special Collections
The archives house collections of papers/ photographs donated by local
families. Included among these are:
The following Web sites are especially useful to the researcher who is searching for Richmond County (Eastern Townships of Quebec) information:
Eastern Townships Research Centre
Marie Thibault, Executive Director
Eastern Townships Research Centre
Bishop's University
Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7
Tel.: (819) 822-9600, ext. 2647
Fax: (819) 822-9661
E-mail : etrc@ubishops.ca
Le Centre de l'Estrie des Archives nationales du Québec
225, rue Frontenac, bureau 401
Sherbrooke (Québec) J1H 1K1
Tél. : (819) 820-3010
Téléc. : (819) 820-3146
Courriel : anq.sherbrooke@mcc.gouv.qc.ca
Horaire: Lundi au vendredi : 8 h 30 à 12 h et 13 h à 16 h 30
For Roman Catholic records, e.g., Irish ancestry contact Mrs. Nicole Blake at:
Ste. Bibiane Parish
970, rue Principale Nord,
Richmond, QC J0B 2Ho Canada
819-826-2390
stbiba@abacom.com
Office Hours: Mon to Fri., 9am to 1 pm"
RCHS is a non-profit organization funded by memberships, donations,
admission fees, and fundraising events.
The archives is open by appointment only.
Revised Fee Schedule Richmond County Historical Archives, May 1, 2000
Visitors (Non-Members) to the Archives Centre:
$10.00 for the initial visit, half day.
$10.00/hour for subsequent visits.
Research Requests by Internet, Mail, Telephone
$10.00 for the initial search for all researchers.
$10.00/ hour for subsequent requests and extensive research by the genealogist and/or archivist.
$0.25 per page per photocopy
Quotes for photographic reproductions.
To apply for an initial search of our archives
click here.
For more information on our policies click here