Frequently Asked Questions

The Archives' team are committed to making sure that all researchers have access to the resources available. If you have any special needs that require assistance please do not hesitate to ask. We will always do our best to accommodate your needs.

Accessible features at our site include:

• Accessible parking spaces
• Accessible ramp at the main entrance
• Automatic doors
• Fully accessible washroom with adult change table
• Service desk with lower counter for wheelchair accessibility
• Service animals are always welcome
• Support persons admitted free of charge

The Lambton County Archives holds approximately 6876.12 linear feet (2095.84 linear meters) of shelf storage for archival materials. "Linear feet" is the standard measure of archival material. This helps the Archivist understand the extent of the current holdings so we can plan collection development and efficient organization of archival material within the vault. One linear foot is about the width of one standard record box.

Yes! While we don't have our entire collection digitized (yet), you can access our online collection database. We are always growing and updating this digital collection, so check back regularly for new material. 

The best way to see a specific item in our collection is to call the archives in advance of your visit. 

Keeping your documents in appropriate conditions can help ensure that they are preserved for generations to come. To learn more about document preservation techniques, visit our Preserve Your History page.

While we might not be able to find an exact date that your house was built, we can certainly find indicators that give us an educated idea. For more information on property research, please visit our Collections page.

Regarding Birth records, Civil Registrations/Vital Statistics are registered with the Province of Ontario, however, prior to 1869 births, marriages, and deaths were not required to be registered with the province/ Upper Canada. Although some registrations can be found, the vast majority of information pre-1869 is located in Church Parish Registers. Most of these records are held within church archives, with most denominations having a central archive (ie. United Church Archive, Diocese of Huron etc.) to contact.