Microfilm Program

To make its holdings more easily accessible to people living outside the Winnipeg area, the Archives of Manitoba, including the Hudson's Bay Company Archives, has a microfilm loan and purchase program. Records that have been microfilmed by the Archives and are not under any access restriction may be borrowed through the traditional inter-institutional loan program or purchased by the researcher. HBCA microfilm is also available at the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa and the National Archives, Kew, England.

Government and Private Sector Archives

Government and Private Sector Archives microfilm reel numbers and microfilm loan information are included with the item descriptions in Keystone database listings. Please search the database to find microfilm numbers and to determine whether reels are available for loan. If you have questions, contact us.

Hudson’s Bay Company Archives records

Most Hudson’s Bay Company Archives microfilm reel numbers are included with the item descriptions in Keystone database listings. Please search the database for these microfilm reel numbers. If you have questions, contact us.

HBCA Microfilm Catalogue

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Microfilm Loans

The Microfilm Loan Program enables researchers who live outside the Winnipeg area to borrow certain records held by the Archives of Manitoba (including the Hudson's Bay Company Archives). This enables clients to do their own research and make their own copies. Copies are subject to the Archives of Manitoba's Terms Governing the Use of Copies (PDF). For information about citing archival records, please consult the Archives of Manitoba’s Citation Guide (PDF).

  • What microfilm reels can be borrowed?

    Clients may borrow a maximum of 3 microfilm reels at a time for a period of 4 weeks.

    Government and Private Sector Archives: Search Keystone to determine if microfilms are available for loan and to find specific microfilm reel numbers.

    Hudson's Bay Company Archives: Search Keystone or the HBCA Microfilm Catalogue to find specific microfilm reel numbers.

  • Cost to borrow microfilm reels

    The Archives of Manitoba does not charge a fee for lending microfilm reels.

    Mailing Costs - Canadian Institutions: The Archives of Manitoba uses the Canadian Library Association’s Library Materials Shipping Tool and covers the cost of mailing the microfilms being borrowed to and from Canadian institutions.

    Mailing Costs - American Institutions: The Archives of Manitoba covers the cost of mailing microfilms to the borrowing American institution and the borrowing American institution is responsible for the return postage (First Class Mail, for customs label, declared value = $20.00).

    Mailing Costs - Other International Institutions: The Archives of Manitoba covers the cost of mailing microfilms to the borrowing international institution and the borrowing international institution is responsible for the return postage (First Class/Air Mail).

  • How to borrow microfilm reels

    Requests for loan must be submitted through an institution, such as a library, archives or genealogical society, which has a microfilm reader. Canadian and international institutions submit requests to borrow microfilm on a client’s behalf. Borrowing institutions assume responsibility for borrowed material including any damage apart from normal wear. Borrowing institutions can submit requests using the Archives’ Online Microfilm Loan Order Form.

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Microfilm Purchases

Both individuals and institutions may purchase duplicates or digitized versions of Archives of Manitoba microfilm (including Hudson's Bay Company Archives microfilm).

All duplicates, digitized versions or derivative copies are subject to the Archives of Manitoba's Terms Governing the Use of Copies. (PDF)

For information about citing archival records, please consult the Archives of Manitoba’s Citation Guide (PDF)

  • What is the process to purchase microfilm?

    The Archives of Manitoba has an arrangement with a company for completing these purchase orders since we cannot accommodate this service in-house.

    Once a client has contacted us with a request to purchase microfilm(s) and given permission to release contact information, Archives staff will contact the company with the client’s contact information and order information. The company then contacts the client to discuss formats, prices, and time frames.

    Contact us if you have questions or want to place an order.

  • What is the quality of duplicated or digitized microfilm?

    Please note that the company will do the duplication and/or digitization from an interlibrary loan microfilm and therefore the quality will be similar to that film.

    Due to the volume of requests received we cannot verify the quality of each film prior to the order being completed.

  • How long does it take and how much does it cost?

    The time frame for filling orders is negotiated between the client and the company that produces the duplicated or digitized microfilm.

    The cost is negotiated between the client and the company that produces the duplicate and/or digitized microfilm.

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