Archives & History

Founded in 1835, the St Andrew’s Society of Montreal has been a part of Montreal’s history for over 181 years. 
The St Andrew’s Society of Montreal proudly maintains archives of its history, which can be consulted by researchers and members. 
Consultation is by appointment only.
 
Our collection includes:

• St Andrew’s Society Fonds: These records include the minutes, financial records, committees, and events of the Society.  The Archives of the Society have a complete set of minute books from 1835, when we were founded.  Understandably, these are fragile items and can only be consulted under supervision at our offices, and by appointment.  We will be arranging to have transcriptions available online at a later date.
• Caledonian Society of Montreal Fonds: The Caledonian Society of Montreal was founded in 1856 and was responsible for organising the Caledonian Games (pre-curser to the Montreal Highland Games) as well as the Burns Supper and Halloween.  The Society continued to exist until the mid- 1970s.  Some of its archives were given to the St Andrew’s Society for safe-keeping.
• Mary Johnston-Cox Fonds: These records include the files created by our Society’s historian to 2005, and deal with exhibits, requests, and articles written about the Society’s history.
• My Heart is the Highlands Fonds: This was a history project undertaken by the Society in the 1970s.  Includes manuscripts and editing. The project was never published.
• St Andrew’s Society Ball Fonds: These records include the documents generated in the organisation of the St Andrew’s Ball. The Annual St Andrew’s Ball has been a tradition with the Society since 1872, when we held our first Annual Ball. Our Archives have an extensive collection of Ball material dating from the 1960s, with some material dating from earlier.
• TRA Malcolm Fonds: These are the records generated from TRA Malcolm, who was President of the Society, as well as a member of a number of the Society’s Committees.

 
A number of our documents and images have been digitized and can be consulted off-site. These include:

• History of our Burial Sites – the Society maintains three burial sites at two cemeteries. 
• Register of Emigrants from the St Andrew’s Home: This is a register of the emigrants who passed through the home between June 27, 1857 and February 15, 1904.  Please not that this register is the sum total of information that we have for the home, and not files exist for any of the individuals listed.
• 150th Anniversary: For the Society’s 150th Anniversary in 1985, a competition for the Sesquicentennial March was held.  The winner’s music is available as a PDF. 
• St. Andrew’s Sermon, 1905: A PDF copy of the Sermon delivered in honour of St Andrew’s Day, by the Society’s Chaplain Rev. WD Reid, at the Erskine Church, Dec 3, 1905.  
• Annual Report and History – 1985 – 150th Anniversary: A transcribed copy of our annual report of 1985, published in honour of the Society’s 150th Anniversary, and which includes a history of the society from 1935 to 1985. 
• People of Montreal Database: An Excel database created for the PhD Thesis “The Importance of Being English?: Identity and Social Organisation in British Montreal 1800-1850″ by Gillian I Leitch, (PhD, Université de Montréal, 2007).  It contains names and associational affiliation of individuals living in Montreal in this period, there is some census data as well, and it also lists the positions they held in various voluntary associations and churches in the city.  This is not comprehensive, but does encompass all names mentioned in the 7 English language newspapers of the period which were consulted. Please cite original author when using this material.
• Presidents: A List of our past presidents is available.
• Annual Reports: We also have an almost complete collection of annual reports for the Society which have been scanned into PDF and can be obtained by request.  Please contact the office [email protected]
• Membership List: This is a list of members of the Society, Ordinary, Life and Honourary from 1835 to 1950.
• Society Handbook: Our Society’s current handbook (2001) has been scanned into PDF for your information.
• Caledonian Society of Montreal, List of Ordinary and Associate Members, 1928-1970: is an Excel transcription of the membership list of the Caledonian Society from 1928 to 1970. There are several tabs on this excel to reflect the presence of a few inserts into the book. There is also a digital image copy of the book which is available to researchers on request.  Please contact the Society.
• Caledonian Society of Montreal Life Members- Membership Roll: is an Excel transcription of the Life Members list (c1890-1967): There is also a digital image copy of the book available for researchers.  Please contact the society.
• Archives Inventory: A working copy of our Archives inventory can be requested from us [email protected]

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1. The Society retains the copyright to all of its material, and all items used must be credited properly, and permission obtained for the use of large sections of material and media.
2. The Society’s archives are subject to Quebec privacy legislation, and access to material containing personal information, under 30 years is restricted.  Any material concerning private health information is also restricted for 100 years.  If access is required to restricted material, application must be made to the Society stating reasons for access.  Exceptions can be made according to the legislation, and some material can be redacted to obscure private information, and allow consultation of newer material.
3. The Archives of the Society does not constitute a genealogical research archives.  Information contained within is restricted to membership, i.e. dates of membership, place of birth and occupation.  Upon request, and subject to privacy legislation the Society can provide membership information to researchers, but cannot do research for genealogists seeking other genealogical information on 

 
We are currently looking for Ball programmes, tickets and invitations to add to our collection.  We have programmes for the following years: 1974, 1983-4, 1987-8, 1991-2, 1994 to present.  If you can help us, please contact us [email protected]
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