Archives
The Scope of Our Archives
Our archival holdings document the history of Rossland and the adjacent Trail Creek mining district. Consolidated Mining & Smelting Company and the West Kootenay Power & Light Company are also included as both were created to serve the Rossland Mines. The collection includes material relating to the municipality, schools, hospital, court house, businesses, family histories, skiing, and other sports.
Inclusive Dates: 1895 to present
Predominant Dates: 1895 - 1920
Genealogical Research
The Rossland Museum Archives has many ways to research your family genealogy:
Voters lists from the incorporation of the City
Tax assessment rolls from 1897 to 1920
Cemetery records from 1899 to the mid-1930s
Archival photographs
The Rossland Miner newspaper from 1896 to 1972
Some issues of the 1896 Miner have been digitized by Canadiana.org and are available here.
Some baptismal records for the Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Churches
A Miners' Union ledger book
Early directories and telephone books
A Rossland weekly newspaper The Prospector has been digitized by the University of British Columbia and is available here.
Research Requests
To Begin Your Research
Researchers must make an appointment with the archivist either by phone (250-362-7722) or e-mail (archives@ rosslandmuseum.ca). Please provide a detailed explanation of what you are seeking. This may give us some time to pull preliminary information to get you started on your research;
Researchers should provide the archivist with as much information as possible so that the necessary material can be ready for the researcher when they arrive at the archives;
Unlike libraries, archives do not permit public access to the stack areas. Instead, your request is brought to the Research Room for access;
Archival documents are fragile, so gloves are provided for the researcher along with a list of the facility's research policies;
Remember that a fee will be charged for both the time (after the first 15 minutes) involving staff gathering the necessary information, and for any photocopies.
Curious about the history of your home? Start here:
Check the Heritage Commission website "Homes" page to see if your home is listed.
If your home is not on the Heritage Homes Register, send us an email with your Block and Lot number (check your address on the BC Assessments’ website if you don't know that information).
For photos of your home, check the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History website to view the RMDC's digitized photo collection. Use keywords such as your street name or landmarks that were or are nearby to help you locate photos.
Our Archive has Tax Assessment records from 1898-1970 (certain gaps in years missing or unavailable). These records will tell you who owned your house over the years, and if upgrades were done.
If you need more help, send us an email with all information you currently have. If you require staff assistance for your research, standard research fees will apply, but you can make an appointment to come in and do the research yourself too!
Just looking for photos?
Much of our collection is now online, thanks to the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History. You can now view and order photos directly from its website!
Access & Fees
Research Fees
Research can be done at the archives in-person (by appointment) for free. Appointments can be made by phone or e-mail. You can also fill out the request form below or email a research form to our archivist at archives@ rosslandmuseum.ca.
For Physical Access to the Archives
Please book an appointment with archives staff:
Phone: (250) 362-7722
e-mail: archives @rosslandmuseum.ca
Research can also be done by the staff for a fee:
First 15 minutes Free
Every subsequent 30 minute period $25.00
Photocopy Fees
Single Sided $0.25 per page
$0.50 for 11x17
Double Sided $0.40 per page
$0.75 for 11x17
Research Request Form:
Before Arriving at the Archives Please consult the below policies to familiarize yourself with all necessary steps to be taken before arriving at the Archives.
Research Room Policies
Researchers are reminded that they are working with historical, archival records which are unique and often very fragile. In order to protect this material, we ask that the following conditions be observed:
Coats, briefcases, parcels, personal books, etc. are left in the designated area.
Hands must be washed and completely dried before any documents are handled. Gloves may be required for some material.
Eating and drinking are prohibited in the Reading Room. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
Please refrain from wearing fragrances.
No ink is allowed in the Reading Room - all notes must be taken using a pencil, laptop, or audio recorder.
Please do not place open volumes face down, remove more than one folder from a box at a time, or rearrange the order of any documents. Do not use sticky notes to mark locations, trace maps or other records, or place paper for note-taking on the archival documents.
Leave records on the table when you are finished with them, letting the archive staff know that you are finished. Notify the staff if you need the documents the next day.
Material cannot be removed from the research room. Copies of documents can be made for a fee (see reverse for Fee Schedule). Photographs (no flash) of documents are allowed for research purposes only.