Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management
Encyclopedia
Nova Scotia Archives & Records Management (NSARM) is a governmental archival
institution serving the Canadian province of Nova Scotia
. NSARM acquires, preserves and makes available the province's documentary heritage — recorded information of provincial significance created or accumulated by government and the private sector over the last 300 years.
The idea for a provincial archives and a Provincial Archivist first took root on April 30th, 1857 when a resolution was put forward in the Legislative Assembly (moved by Joseph Howe
, and seconded by James W. Johnston), making it the first provincial archives in Canada. Thomas Beamish Akins
, a lawyer, historian, archivist, and author, was appointed Nova Scotia's first Commissioner of Public Records from 1857 until his death in 1891.
In 1931, NSARM became the first provincial archives in Canada to have a purpose-built building. The Chase Building, designed by Andrew R. Cobb
, still exists and is now home to the Math department of Dalhousie University
. The current Public Archives Building opened in 1980 to provide additional vault space and allow for the storage of all archival records under one roof.
The department itself was formerly known as the Public Archives of Nova Scotia, renamed in 1997 after it assumed responsibility of government record-keeping. The former name is still used in certain applications, such as at the agency's headquarters at Robie Street
and University Avenue in Halifax. It is a Division of the Department of Communites, Culture and Heritage.
NSARM continues to digitize large parts of its collections for viewing on their website. The NSARM website contains approximately 70 virtual exhibits and databases, and features thousands of archival photos and documents. Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics, NSARM's genealogy website, contains birth, death, and marriage records from 1763 to 1958 with new accruals being added every year.
Archive
An archive is a collection of historical records, or the physical place they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or organization's lifetime, and are kept to show the function of an organization...
institution serving the Canadian province of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. NSARM acquires, preserves and makes available the province's documentary heritage — recorded information of provincial significance created or accumulated by government and the private sector over the last 300 years.
The idea for a provincial archives and a Provincial Archivist first took root on April 30th, 1857 when a resolution was put forward in the Legislative Assembly (moved by Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe, PC was a Nova Scotian journalist, politician, and public servant. He is one of Nova Scotia's greatest and best-loved politicians...
, and seconded by James W. Johnston), making it the first provincial archives in Canada. Thomas Beamish Akins
Thomas Beamish Akins
Thomas Beamish Akins was a Canadian lawyer, historian, archivist, and author who was appointed Nova Scotia's first Commissioner of Public Records from 1857 until his death in 1891....
, a lawyer, historian, archivist, and author, was appointed Nova Scotia's first Commissioner of Public Records from 1857 until his death in 1891.
In 1931, NSARM became the first provincial archives in Canada to have a purpose-built building. The Chase Building, designed by Andrew R. Cobb
Andrew R. Cobb
Andrew Randall Cobb, ARCA, FRIBA was a Canadian-American architect based in Nova Scotia.In his day, Cobb was one of the most renowned architects in Atlantic Canada...
, still exists and is now home to the Math department of Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
. The current Public Archives Building opened in 1980 to provide additional vault space and allow for the storage of all archival records under one roof.
The department itself was formerly known as the Public Archives of Nova Scotia, renamed in 1997 after it assumed responsibility of government record-keeping. The former name is still used in certain applications, such as at the agency's headquarters at Robie Street
Robie Street
Robie Street is a north-south artery, street and provincial road that runs for 7 kilometres within the Halifax Peninsula area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, from Memorial Drive in the North End Halifax, to Gorsebrook Avenue in the South End. The street in most places is 4 lanes wide with a...
and University Avenue in Halifax. It is a Division of the Department of Communites, Culture and Heritage.
NSARM continues to digitize large parts of its collections for viewing on their website. The NSARM website contains approximately 70 virtual exhibits and databases, and features thousands of archival photos and documents. Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics, NSARM's genealogy website, contains birth, death, and marriage records from 1763 to 1958 with new accruals being added every year.