Q: What kind of items or materials are in the collection?
A: A wide range! We safeguard thousands of items that capture the experiences and contributions of Japanese Canadian individuals, businesses, and organizations. These include letters, photographs, and artworks, as well as cooking tools, swords, and issues of The New Canadian newspaper. Plus many more! See some items highlighted in our Treasures from the Vault YouTube series.
Q: How can the NNMCC archives support my research or project?
A: Archivists are available remotely and onsite to:
- Discuss projects and strategies for finding materials
- Orientate you to onsite and online resources such as our rich reference library and Collections Database
- Pull rare documents, recordings, photos and other records of interest from the archives for you to view
Q: What should I expect when I visit the archives for the first time?
A: Friendly staff will introduce you to the Charles H. Kadota Resource Centre. An available archivist can discuss your research project, show you how to find relevant materials, and retrieve materials for you. Contact us at [email protected] or 604-777-7000 ext 111 to set up an appointment.
Q: Can I check books out from your library to take home?
A: Our library is reference only, meaning they can only be accessed onsite but all are welcome to come peruse the shelves. Contact us at [email protected] or 604-777-7000 ext 111 to set up an appointment to browse the library.
Q: I found a photograph on the NNM’s online database that I want to reproduce in my art/project/research. What should I do next?
A: Contact the Collections & Archives Team with the Item Number and Title of the item you’re interested in. Staff will review permissions of the item to confirm that it is available for use. Some fees may apply (Menu of Services). Contact our team with any questions. [email protected] or 604-777-7000 ext 111.
Q: If I find an item on your database with an incorrect or missing description, can I suggest corrections?
A: Yes! We appreciate all the support we get from community members to identify people, places, and dates. If you spot any corrections, contact our team at [email protected] or 604-777-7000 ext 111.
Q: My great-grandparents immigrated from somewhere in Japan. How can I start my research to find their hometown?
A: Book a 1/2 to 1-hour one-on-one session either online or in person with a member of our team for research tips and an introduction to helpful resources, like the Directory of Japanese Residing in Canada (1929) by Jinshiro Nakayama. The English translation was edited and translated by William Tasaburo Hashizume and Saeko Suzuki and published by the JCCC Heritage Committee in 2009.
