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Archival records are organized according to who created them -- the government agency, the person, family, or the private organization - rather than by subject. Archival records can be searched by subject using indexes and keywords.

The holdings of the Yukon Archives include records created by both public and private creators:

Yukon government records and municipal records: these records are organized into groupings of records called series. Examples of series include:

• Public Administrator Office estate files
• Department of Education student registers
• Haines Junction Board and Council meeting records

Private sector records: These records are created by individuals, families, businesses, community organizations etc. These records are organized in groupings called fonds or collections. Examples include:

• White Pass and Yukon Route fonds
• Martha Louise Black fonds
• George Johnston fonds

Description of archival records start with the fonds or collection then may be broken down into levels of greater detail:

White Pass and Yukon Route fonds				Fonds: The Yukon Archives holds the records of the White Pass and Yukon Route Company. The term “fonds” applies to the entirety of the records by a certain creator. The fonds-level description in the database gives a general overview of all the WP&YR records held by the Yukon Archives.
	River division records, [1899-1960]			Series: Within the WP&YR fonds, there are many sub-groupings called series. One of these includes the records of the River division which document the activities WP&YR undertook related to river transportation.
		Sternwheeler log books (1899-1955)		Sub-series: Series may be further divided into sub-series. One sub-series of the WP&YR’s records includes Sternwheeler log books.
			Bonanza King, 1902	File or item: The final level of description would be a file (e.g. of correspondence) or an item; in this case, the log book of the Bonanza King constitutes one item within the sub-series.

Yukon Archives may not have all these levels currently available on the Archives Descriptive Database. In some cases, paper-based inventories in the Yukon Archives reference room may be consulted. The database is updated regularly.

The Archives Descriptive Database presents three search options:

Searching archival descriptions:

If you choose this option, you will search general descriptions of groups of archival records at the fonds, series and sub-series level (see the diagram above). This is the most inclusive database, providing an overview of the holdings of the Yukon Archives.

Search descriptions of files and items:

If you choose this option, you will search brief descriptions of individual files or items such as maps, audio recordings, moving images, photographs and architectural drawings. Each file or item described includes a link to the larger group of records to which it belongs. Start with this search option if you have a very specific research question.

Search Descriptions of Record Creators:

If you choose this option, you will search descriptions of Yukon government agencies, municipalities, families, persons, and private sector organizations that have created the records held by the Archives. Each description of a record creator includes links to descriptions of the archival records it has created. Start with this search option if you wish to know what records the Archives holds that were created by a particular Yukon government agency, municipality, person, family, or private sector organization.

Please note:

• The Archives Descriptive Database will not answer most genealogical research enquiries. Please contact the Yukon Archives reference room for information on family history resources available at the Yukon Archives.
  
• The Archives Descriptive Database is not a complete inventory of our holdings. New information is added regularly to the database.
  
• Some fonds and collections can also be searched using Yukon Archives' digitized finding aids in pdf format through the Finding Aids link on the Yukon Archives website.
  
• Any of the search options may lead to information relevant to your research. Depending on your question, you may want to try all search options using keywords appropriate to your subject of interest, and then follow related links.
• The search results are linked together where appropriate. For example the description of a file and item is linked to the larger group of records of which it is a part, and record creator records are linked to the corresponding archival descriptions.

The diagram below shows how the search options are related:

About this search option

If you choose this option, you will search general descriptions of groups of archival records at the fonds, series and sub-series level (see the diagram above). This is the most inclusive option, providing a comprehensive overview of the holdings of the Yukon Archives. In some cases, it includes links to descriptions of files or items. Use this search option for broad research questions.

Both Yukon government records (including municipal records) and historical records from the private sector are described in the database:

Yukon government records: these records are organized into groupings of records called series. Examples of series include:

• Public Schools branch student registers
• Department of Energy, Mines and Resources land disposition files
• Town of Faro administration records

Private sector records: These are records created by individuals, families, businesses, community groups, labour organizations etc. These records are organized in groupings known as fonds or collections. Examples include:

• Arctic Winter Games fonds
• Clara Tizya fonds
• Taylor and Drury Co. Ltd. fonds

Search tips

You may enter search terms in any one or all of the following:

Keyword: You may enter any number of keywords. A keyword search will undertake a full text search of all fields within the database.

Keyword in Title: You may enter any number of keywords. This option searches the title of descriptions in this database. This includes the title of:

• Yukon government record series, sub-series
• Private sector fonds, collections, series, sub-series

For both Keyword and Keyword in Title, you may choose one of the following:

1. All of these keywords: This is the default option. Choosing this option will return database hits that include all of your search terms.

2. Any of these keywords: Choosing this option will return hits that include any, but not necessarily all, of your search terms.

Choose a format:
You may limit your search to search only those groups of records that contain a particular format of material such as textual records, photographs, maps, etc.

Start and End Date:
You may limit your search to records created during a particular date range. For example 1890--1895 will return only those groups of records that include material created in the period 1890 to 1895. Note:

• You must separate dates by two dashes, e.g. 1939--1945
• Date limited searches can be quite slow

General Search Tips:

• You can truncate your search using *. This will locate words that have a common stem. Example: Entering farm* will match farm, farming, farmer, farmers etc.
• Common words will be ignored. These include: the, a, an, in, of, and, these

Interpreting the Results
The results of your search will list all of the hits in a brief form that includes the title and the dates that the material was created. Click on the title for a detailed description of that group of records.

The detailed description of a group of records will answer questions such as:

• What kind of material is this? (i.e. paper files, maps, photographs etc.)
• How much material is it?
• When was the material created?
• Who or what office created the material?
• When available, the descriptions may also provide links to on-line finding aids.

About this search option

If you choose this option, you will search brief descriptions of the files and items in the holdings of the Yukon Archives. The Archives Descriptive Database does not contain digital copies of archival records.

Files and items include:

• paper files
• bound volumes, such as minute books or journals
• photographs
• maps and plans
• architectural records
• sound, film or video recordings
• documentary art

File and Item descriptions also include links to the larger body of records that the file or item forms a part of (where applicable).

This database does not contain all files and items at the Yukon Archives. New entries are being added frequently. In many cases, however, you will have to consult a paper-based list in our reference room, or consult reference staff, to find the records that you are interested in.

Search tips

Keyword: You may enter any number of keywords. A keyword search will undertake a full text search of all fields within the database.

You have two options for modifying a keyword search:

1. All of these keywords: This is the default option. Choosing this option will return database hits that include all of your search terms.
2. Any of these keywords: Choosing this option will return hits that include any, but not necessarily all, of your search terms.

Choose a format:
You may limit your search to a particular format (e.g. photographs, sound recordings or maps). Choose an option from the pull-down menu.

General Search Tips:

• You can truncate your search using * . This will locate words that have a common stem. Example: Entering trap* will match trap, trapping, trapper etc.
• Common words will be ignored. These include: the, a, an, in, of, and, these

Interpreting the Results

The results of your search will be listed in a brief form that includes:

• the title of the file or item
• the dates that the file or item was created

The longer description of each file or item includes:

File or Item Forms a Part of:
Where applicable, this field includes a link to a description of the larger group of records that the file or item being described forms a part of. The description of the larger group of records is very important. It can help you:

• determine whether the file or item is relevant to your interest
• inform you of possible restrictions on the material

Specific location:
Provide information in this field to reference staff to view records.

About this search option

If you choose this option, you will search descriptions of Yukon Government agencies, municipalities, families, persons, and private sector organizations that have created the records held by the Archives. Each description of a record creator includes links to descriptions of the archival records it has created. Start with this search option if you wish to know what records the Archives holds that were created by a particular Yukon Government agency, municipality, person, family, or private sector organization.

Information provided about Yukon Government agencies and municipalities includes:

• a description of the functions of the agency (i.e. what the agency did) and the administrative history of the agency
• links to agencies that preceded or succeeded the agency in fulfilling its function
• links to subordinate and controlling agencies
• links to the descriptions of archival records created by the agency (Archival Descriptions Database)

Information provided about individuals, families and private sector organizations includes:

• biographical descriptions of individuals and families
• administrative histories of private sector organizations
• links to descriptions of archival records created by these individuals, families, and private sector organizations (Archival Descriptions Database)

Searching

Keyword:
You may enter any number of keywords. A keyword search will undertake a full text search of all fields within the database.

Keyword in Name:
You may enter any number of keywords. This option searches the names of Yukon government agencies, municipalities, individuals, families, and private sector organizations that have created bodies of archival records.

For both of the above keyword options, you may choose one of the following:

1. All of these keywords: This is the default option. Choosing this option will return database hits that include all of your search terms.
2. Any of these keywords: Choosing this option will return hits that include any, but not necessarily all, of your search terms.

Type of Creator:
You may limit your search by choosing a type of record creator using the pull-down menu provided. You may choose from: All Record Creators (default), Government Agency, Person or Family, Private Sector Organization.

General Search Tips:

• You can truncate your search using *. This will locate words that have a common stem. Example: Entering farm* will match farm, farming, farmer, farmers etc.
• Common words will be ignored. These include: the, a, an, in, of, and, these

Interpreting the Results

The results of your search will be listed in a brief form that includes the name of the Yukon government agency, municipality, person, family, or organization. For government agencies, the date that the agency operated will also be included.

Click on the name to go to the full description of the record creator. Included here will be links to descriptions of archival records in the Archives' holdings that the agency, individual, family or organization created.