Public Access Policy

Public access to the records of the Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory is governed by policies adopted by the Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada and by agreements with private donors.  The ability of the Archives staff to respond to public requests for information is highly dependent on their availability. Priority is given to Church leaders and members who are engaged in the mission and support work of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory. Our publicly available holdings are accessible tfor your own self directed resaerch via our on-line portal.

Researchers are asked to submit their inquiry using the Research Request Form.  Quick reference or fact checking questions that can be answered in less than 30 minutes are handled without further application.  In depth use of the Archives requires the researcher to complete a letter of Application for the Examination of Archives (available through the Request Form).  The accompanying cover letter will help the staff determine whether the holdings contain documentation that speaks to the inquiry.

Public access and reasonable requests for personal use copies of records are typically granted.  Inquirers should be aware, however, that certain restrictions are imposed based on the age of the documents, their physical condition, copyright, or level of content sensitivity.  Any one of these factors may result in withholding access.  Records in the Archives are categorized as:

Open Records

Records not under restriction are open to the public.  Published or formally printed records distributed by the Salvation Army are open for inspection.

Restricted Records

Holdings that contain personal information that is confidential, personally identifiable and sensitive  are restricted and not available to the public.

Internal communication and business records are withheld from public browsing and physical inspection as they constitute privileged operational data of the Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Special access to information in Restricted Records may be granted when access serves an essential public interest over and above a private research agenda or when it fulfills a vital personal need.  Confidential records are not released, and access is possible only in unusual and compelling circumstances.  Discretionary decisions regarding access and disposition are reserved to the Archives Director of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory.

 

All records and papers of The Archives of the Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory, unless otherwise noted, are the property of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda. Researchers must request permission to publish beyond fair use and to assign credit in print to the Archives as the rights owner.