News Release: Stratford-Perth Archives Launches New Virtual Appointment Service
STRATFORD, ON – There is a new way for people to connect with staff from Stratford-Perth Archives to conduct historical research. Starting November 1, 2026 until March 31, 2027 the Archives will offer a new free virtual research appointment service. This service enhancement allows researchers who cannot visit the Archives in-person to connect with staff in another meaningful way, besides emails and telephone calls, particularly during inclement weather season.
“Winter weather can create challenges for researchers to visit us in-person at times.” said Betty Jo Belton, Manager of Archives Services / Archivist with Stratford-Perth Archives. “This enhancement to our services allows us to reduce barriers and increase access for all researchers.”
Virtual appointments will be subject to staff availability. Free thirty minute virtual appoints can be booked one week in advance and appointment hours are 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm, Tuesday to Friday. Researchers can book one virtual appointment per week. One hour of free staff research time per researcher/year is included leading up to the appointment.
Virtual appointments can be used for a variety of reasons including:
- Archives staff answering questions from the researcher regarding their research topic(s) and/or research completed by staff
- Reviewing the research findings of Archives staff
- Highlighting a selection of scanned archival records used by Archives staff when completing a research query
- Providing visual access to a selection of scanned archival records/items, allowing the researcher to spend time examining records while staff help to facilitate their research and/or answer questions
- Tutorials for using resources and tools on Stratford-Perth Archives website, such as finding information in the city directories or searching in the newspaper database
To book a virtual research appointment, researchers can contact the Stratford-Perth Archives by email archives@perthcounty.ca or telephone 519-271-0531 ext 259.
-30-
Media Contact:
Sarah Franklin, Communications Officer
sfranklin@perthcounty.ca
519-271-0531 ext 151
Attachments: