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At the time of the 1992 Colby donation, a former Carrollcroft dining room and adjacent storage rooms were given over to greatly expanded archives. So after six decades of collecting, the SHS Archives were properly housed.

Users of the Archives fall into three main groups; academic researchers, genealogists and users wishing to consult back issues of The Stanstead Journal , as the SHS Archives are the official depository for the Journal . The Archives are open to the public from 9:00 to 12:00 a.m., 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, or by reservation. Arrangements may be made for service at other hours to accommodate out-of-town users. Information enquiries from out-of-town users are expected and welcomed. Reference requests are accepted by letter, phone, fax or e-mail. A microfilm reader is available.
A small charge for service is required :
- first hour : members free; non-members $12,00/hr
- additional hours : members $6,00/hr; non-members $12,00/hr

The Stanstead Historical Society Archives
535 Dufferin,
Stanstead, Quebec, Canada
J0B 3E0
Telephone: (819) 876-7322
Fax: (819) 876-7936
E-mail: archives@colbycurtis.ca

There is a published Guide to the SHS Archives .

1 - The Stanstead Journal and other local newspapers of historical interest.

The Stanstead Journal 1845 -
The British Colonist and The St. Francis Gazette
The Canadian Patriot
The Frontier Sentinel

2 - The SHS Collection of documents

This consists of varied primary and secondary manuscript and printed material related to the community deposited with the Society since 1929.

3 - The Bound Documents Collection

This is an important collection of over 350 business ledgers, minute books, inventories, etc., reflecting the commerce and institutions of the community from the beginning of settlement onwards. There is a published Guide to this collection with indexes.

4 - Major Fonds

The most significant collections of papers are listed here. Guides are available to all the Colby Fonds and to that of Orson Wheeler.

Moses Colby
Charles Carroll Colby
Harriet Child Colby
William Benton Colby
Emily Strong Colby
Abby Lemira Colby
Jessie Maud Colby
Charles William Colby
Emma Frances Cobb Colby
Dr. John Child Colby
The Border Business and Professional Women's Club
Charleston Academy
Christ Church Stanstead
Gilman-Knight-Hawes Family
John Thomas Hackett
Jason Lee
Ralph Merry
Morrill Family
Edward James Struthers
Orson Wheeler

5 - The Photograph Collections

The Tintype - Daguerrotype Collection
The SHS Collection
The Colby Family Collection
The John J. Parker Collection
The Photograph Album Collection

Users may be interested to know that the SHS Archives also contain :

The Oral History Collection
The Family Bible Collection
The Scrapbook Collection
The Post Card Collection
The Christmas Card Collection
The Map Collection
The Archives holds some historical atlases, fire insurance
plans and local maps.
Miscellaneous Collections

Genealogy and, more broadly, family history are among the fastest growing hobbies in North America. Scores of citizens want to know who their ancestors were and something about their place and times. The SHS Archives hold the following relevant material.

A reference book collection of some 200 volumes.
Census records for Stanstead County and the State of Vermont.
Cemetery records from more than 90 regional cemeteries.
Compilations of local genealogical source information : vital statistics, marriage contracts, wills, etc