Archives of Manitoba
Hudson's Bay Company Archives
Hudson’s Bay Company Archives (HBCA), home to the archival records of Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), is part of the Archives of Manitoba operating under The Archives and Recordkeeping Act and 1994 gift agreement between HBC and the Government of Manitoba. HBCA operations are supported in part through the ongoing financial support of the Hudson's Bay Company History Foundation.
HBCA acquires and preserves archival records of HBC and other records related to HBC history, such as private records of individuals and subsidiary companies (including the North West Company), and encourages the use and understanding of these records.
HBCA Research
- A variety of search tools are available in the Search section of this website to help you find what you need. Our main search tool is the Keystone Archives Descriptive Database.
- Other resources for HBCA research include Biographical Information Sheets, Post Maps, Name Indexes, Ships' Histories, guidance for Common Research Topics, Glossaries and the HBCA Library.
- If clients are not able to visit the Archives in person, they are encouraged to pursue their research through our online search tools and our microfilm program or to submit an inquiry. Staff members will conduct only very limited amounts of research for inquiries.
- The Hudson's Bay Company Archives has digitized 1052 reels of microfilm, encompassing over 10,000 volumes of the pre-1870 records kept at almost five hundred Hudson's Bay Company posts. Find out more about Hudson's Bay Company Archives Microfilm Digitization.
- For in-depth research needs, clients will be encouraged to hire a researcher. To ask questions about Hudson’s Bay Company Archives records or search tools, please email hbca@gov.mb.ca.
