What is an archives?
An archives is an organization that collects, preserves, and makes available records of historical interest. Unlike libraries, they mostly collect unpublished materials.
How are archives organized?
Archives are organized according to provenance, a French word that refers to the entity responsible for creating or assembling a group of records. This could be an individual, family, or corporate body such as a church. Successful archival research begins with identifying the entity responsible for creating or assembling the records you are looking for.
What is a fonds?
A fonds refers to the entire body of records of an individual, family, or corporate body. Thus, the Fifth Avenue Free Methodist Church fonds refers to the entire body of records created or assembled by the Fifth Avenue Free Methodist Church.
I'm having trouble finding what I'm looking for. Do you have any tips?
Archival research takes time so be patient. If you are looking for a grandparent's baptism record, search for the name of the church where you think they were baptized. Alternatively, you can browse Subjects and click on "Baptism records" to see which fonds have the records. If you still can't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact us , but please know that it may take up to a week for us to answer your email.
Anything else?
The Free Methodist Church in Canada houses its records in several repositories across the country. Make sure you note which repository houses the records you wish to see so that you don't visit the wrong location!