Using the Archives
Staff at the Public Archives regularly create exhibits on a variety of themes in Island history. You can view the current exhibit at the Public Archives or, in many cases, view the exhibit online.
What exhibits are available online?
Some of the...
You can copy archival records for research or private study. If you intend to use copies for any other purpose (eg. print or electronic publication, exhibition, commercial purposes, etc.) you must get written permission from the Public Archives and...
Unless otherwise stated, all materials on Public Archives and Records Office pages are owned by the Public Archives, are in the public domain, or the Public Archives and Records Office has obtained permission to use the materials on the website.
The...
The Public Archives and Records Office has a large collection of genealogical material including primary sources, finding aids, and indexes. Some of the major resources are listed below. If you are new to genealogy, Tracing Your Family History in PEI has...
One Box at a Time: Recorded Information Management (RIM) Strategy and Three-Year Plan 2.0, 2021-2024
This document outlines the Provincial Government's RIM strategy and three year plan for 2021-2024.
The Public Archives 2014 Almanac and Miscellany Celebrating 1864: A Look at Prince Edward Island in the Year of the Charlottetown Conference was designed to celebrate Prince Edward Island and the historic Charlottetown Conference in 1864. Every month...
Our Island communities have fascinating stories to tell of life in Canada's smallest province. The following guide offers some general tips as well as suggestions for sources at the Public Archives and the wider community that may be of interest to your...
Have you ever wondered where your ancestors came from? Do you know when, why, and how they came to Prince Edward Island? Are you interested in learning more about your family history but don’t know where to start? This guide offers some basic tips to...
This guide outlines some useful resources for researching an historic home or building in Prince Edward Island. Each source has been annotated providing geographical areas, dates of material, and the type of information included. It includes printed...
The Public Archives has plenty of material that can be used in school projects and classroom teaching. Some of these resources are highlighted below.
Online exhibits
The online exhibits provide a great introduction to a variety of topics in Island...
Records and Information Management (RIM) is the systematic control of all recorded information regardless of format from creation to final disposition. Effective records management ensures:
decision making is supported,
costs are reduced,
the...
Archival material can be searched online through our databases: the PARO Collections Database and Memory PEI.
What is the PARO Collections Database?
The PARO Collections Database can be searched for item-level access to vital statistics records,...
Prince Edward Island’s built heritage is an evocative symbol of our past. Historic churches, houses, and businesses speak to more than just the day-to-day; they give a sense of how those who came before us saw themselves, what they valued, and how they...
The Public Archives and Records Office is located at the Atlantic Technology Centre (Lower Level, Suite L20), 176 Great George Street in Charlottetown.
All visitors require a research pass to enter the Public Archives. On your first visit you will be...