Research Support

The United Church of Canada Archives staff strive to support all users and researchers to access and search the collection.

How we can help

Reference archivists can help researchers:

  • Identify archival fonds that may pertain to a stated topic or research question
  • Explain how to access and search the UCCA’s collection via its online descriptive database, and how to navigate its digital finding aids
  • Demonstrate how to properly handle records in the reading room to prevent accidental damage
  • Interpret records where possible, including explanations of technical or subject-specific terminology, church history and administrative structure, or other vital contextual information needed to understand the collection, and where the archivist has the necessary knowledge.
  • Create digital or physical copies of requested records (see fee schedule)

The UCCA will respond to all research inquiries within two weeks. Priority is given to internal requests from General Council, regional councils, communities of faith, and external requests from Indigneous Communities, residenital school survivors and their families.

The United Church of Canada Archives staff are unable to conduct research on an external user’s or researcher’s behalf. If a researcher is unable to visit the archives’ reading room, the UCCA can provide a list of professional researchers to come on their behalf.

Genealogical Research

Please note that, effective February 9, genealogical inquiries requiring staff research are subject to a $25 fee. This fee covers 30 minutes of staff time and must be paid in advance before any research begins. This service is “as available” and not “on demand.”

If certified copies of register entries are required, an additional fee of $30 per entry applies. This fee is payable after staff have confirmed that the relevant entry has been located.

Please be aware that staff searches are necessarily time-limited and therefore not definitive. If no information is found, we encourage you to either visit the archives or hire an independent genealogist to conduct a more in-depth search. Please also note that there is a 3-week turnaround time for genealogical inquiries.