Contact Our Archives
Professional Research Services & Consultation
Our archival specialists and historians offer genealogical research, custom historical analysis, and guided access to two centuries of fur trade records.
Start Your ResearchGet in Touch
Connect with our research team for help with your historical questions.
Phone Consultation
+1 604 555 2217
Speak directly with lead archivist Dr. Alistair MacKenzie for immediate help with research and project planning.
Available Monday-Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Email Research Requests
contact@hbcrecordsarchive.com
Send detailed research questions, genealogical inquiries, or document requests. We reply within 24 hours with timelines and cost estimates.
Include family names, approximate dates,
and geographic regions of interest
In-Person Archive Visits
980 Howe Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6Z 1N9
Schedule appointments to see original documents, maps, and artifacts. Our climate-controlled reading room is for serious researchers.
By appointment only
48-hour advance notice required
Professional Research Services
Our certified archivists provide research services for academic, genealogical, and institutional needs.
Archive Access Pass
Unlimited digital access to our full collection of transcribed documents, searchable logs, and high-resolution map scans.
- ✓ 75,000+ digitized documents
- ✓ Advanced search
- ✓ High-resolution downloads
- ✓ Monthly newsletter updates
Guided Virtual Tour
Interactive 90-minute exploration of fort layouts, trade routes, and historical context with our expert archivists via video conference.
- ✓ Live expert commentary
- ✓ Q&A session included
- ✓ Customizable focus areas
- ✓ Educational materials provided
Custom Research Projects
Professional genealogical research and historical document analysis for academic projects, family histories, and institutional collections.
- ✓ Certified archival research
- ✓ Detailed written reports
- ✓ Source documentation
- ✓ Follow-up consultations
Pelt Analysis Workshop
Virtual seminar on identifying historical trade grades, understanding beaver fur economics, and interpreting pelt quality in trade records.
- ✓ Interactive grading exercises
- ✓ Historical context provided
- ✓ Digital reference materials
- ✓ Certificate of completion
Genealogical Research
Specialized assistance for descendants seeking fur trade ancestors, including voyageur families, Indigenous connections, and company employee records.
- ✓ Multi-generational searches
- ✓ Cross-referenced databases
- ✓ Family tree construction
- ✓ Historical context reports
Academic Consultation
Expert consultation for researchers, thesis students, and faculty requiring specialized knowledge of fur trade economics, Indigenous relations, or colonial history.
- ✓ Primary source identification
- ✓ Methodology guidance
- ✓ Bibliography development
- ✓ Publication support
Research Request Form
Tell us about your research needs and we'll provide a detailed project proposal within 24 hours.
What to Expect
Our research process is designed to provide you with comprehensive, accurate historical information while respecting the complexity of fur trade history and Indigenous perspectives.
Research Process:
- 1. Initial Consultation (24 hours): We review your request and provide a detailed project proposal with timelines and costs.
- 2. Research Phase (1-3 weeks): Our certified archivists conduct systematic searches across multiple databases and document collections.
- 3. Analysis & Verification: All findings are cross-referenced and verified using multiple historical sources.
- 4. Report Delivery: You receive a comprehensive written report with source citations, historical context, and recommendations for further research.
- 5. Follow-up Support: 30 minutes of follow-up consultation is included with all research projects.
Specialized Expertise
Our team includes specialists in:
- • French-Canadian voyageur genealogy
- • Indigenous-European kinship networks
- • Scottish Highland emigration patterns
- • Company employee records (1670-1870)
- • Métis family connections
- • Land grant and settlement records
Visit Our Research Facility
Located in the heart of Vancouver's heritage district, our climate-controlled archive facility houses original documents, maps, and artifacts in a professional research environment.
Facility Features:
- • Temperature and humidity controlled reading room
- • High-resolution document scanning services
- • Research consultation areas
- • Secure storage for personal research materials
- • Nearby parking and public transit access
Operating Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (by appointment)
Sunday: Closed
Note: In-person visits require 48-hour advance notice. Please bring valid photo identification and complete our visitor registration form.
