In the 1980s and 1990s, the National Archives, then called the Public Archives of Canada, ran the Diffusion Program which distributed microfilm copies of important records to archival institutions across Canada. Among the collections filmed and distributed were papers from the Colonial Office in London. Efforts to centralize the administration of the British colonies began with the establishment of the Lords Commissioners of Trade and the Plantations (the Board of Trade) in 1696. The Board of Trade was abolished in 1782 and its responsibilities transferred to the Home Secretary and then to the Secretary for War and the Colonies in 1801. In 1854 the department was split into the War Office and the Colonial Office. In 1907 the Colonial office was split into the Crown Colonies Division and the Dominions Division and in 1925 a separate Dominions Office was created.

The area around Minto, New Brunswick was one of the first regions in North America to export coal. Regular production began in 1825, but it was not until 1904, when the Central Railway line to Minto was completed, that large scale production began.

The mine workers of Minto were represented by local #7409 of the United Mine Workers of America. The union had dealings with several of the mining interests in the area, including Avon Coal Co., Dufferin Mining Ltd., Maurice Jette Ltd., V.C McMann, and Michiels Ltd. In 1937, a miners' strike in Minto was organized to push for better and more stable wages, safer and more regulated working conditions, and benefits. In 1938, the strike was resolved by provincial legislation. The Union continues to be active in the area, although underground mining was abandoned in 1971 in favour of the easier and safer practice of strip mining.

Canada’s United Nations Association was established in 1946, they describe themselves as a national charitable organization which aims to educate and engage Canadians on global issues and the work of the United Nations. This organization was one of the founding members of the World Federation of United Nations Associations, a global non-profit organization which represents and coordinates the efforts of all the United Nations Associations around the world. The United Nations Association in Canada aims to bring educational resources on current issues to citizens and especially youth across Canada and other poorer countries, with the aim of growing global citizens who embrace the principles of the U.N. Charter.

The United Women's Missionary Societies of Saint John, New Brunswick was composed of representatives from Protestant churches in the city. It is not known exactly when the body was founded. Meetings, held at churches throughout Saint John, included prayers led by members, hymn singing, and a business meeting. Discussion centered around missionary work. A collection was made and the proceeds sent to missions for their work. In 1897 funds collected in this way were sent to Miss A.M. Barker in Constantinople (Istanbul) for relief to widows and children of the recent massacres.

In 1897, a standing committee was formed to provide efficient arrangements for annual prayer services in the city. The members included: Mrs. Allwood, Baptist Church; Mrs. Crookshank, Church of England; Miss Upton, Presbyterian Church; Miss Palmer, Methodist Church; and there was a representative from the Congregational Church as well.

The United Women's Missionary Societies changed its name to the Protestant Christian Women's Fellowship in 1953 then changed it once again in 1955 to the Women's inter-Church Council of Saint John.

Collection consists of photographs of people and scenery of the Sackville, New Brunswick, area, including: the bridge over the Tantramar River; Marshlands Inn; The Old Marine Hospital; Indian woman in native dress; Indian man in native dress; photograph inscribed, "The home of R.B. Bennett's Grandfather, Captain David Stiles, at Hopewell Hill, N.B. Here his grandmother came as a bride of seventeen, and here Lord Bennett was born." scenes of the Copper Mine, Dorchester, New Brunswick; James M. Palmer, individual photograph. Five of the photographs were taken by R.H. Smith, Sackville.

The creator of this volume was probably a travelling preacher, in New Brunswick or the New England states.

The unknown writer of this letter was a member of the 8th Battery, 2nd Canadian Artillery Brigade, 1st Canadian Contingent, British Expeditionary Force stationed in the trenches in Belgium during the Great War. No further information is available about him.

The citizens of Upham, New Brunswick, presented a petition to Lt. Governor Manners-Sutton, the Legislative Council and members of the House of Assembly to have their shire moved to Hampton Ferry sometime during the period 1854-1861. There were specific reasons why residents wanted this action. The distance required to travel was considerably longer for those living in the eastern part of Upham than from the west. There was concern about the remoteness from post roads and inaccessibility during certain seasons. Finally, the conditions of the post roads were not very good. The petitioners desired that either alterations be made to the shire or that it be removed to or near Hampton Ferry. Financial arrangements to have all necessary work done to achieve their aim were in place and given to the Justices in and for Kings County.

Sir John Henry Thomas Manners-Sutton, 1814-1877, was born in London, England. His title was the Third Viscount of Canterbury. J.H. Thomas Manners-Sutton was the son of first Viscount of Canterbury, Charles Manners-Sutton and his first wife Maria Charlotte, daughter of John Denison. Thomas Manners-Sutton was educated at Eton and Cambridge and studied law but was never called to the bar. He was M.P. for Cambridge from 1841-1847 in the British House of Commons. On 1 July 1854, he was appointed Lt. Governor of New Brunswick. He returned to England in October 1861 and appointed Governor of Trinidad in 1864 and then Governor of Victoria in 1866.

Mervyn Arthur Upham was born in 1917 in Bayhead, Colchester County, Nova Scotia the son of Arthur George Upham (1870-1943) and Margaret (Ferguson) Upham (1878-1961). He completed his public school education at the Colchester County Academy in 1936 and entered Mount Allison University completing his BSc in 1940. The following year he enlisted as a lieutenant with the Royal Canadian Engineers. In 1942, he was stationed at Debert, Nova Scotia. He served with the 8th Army in Europe in 1943 and also saw service in North Africa, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany before the end of the Second World War. He received the Africa Star and the M.B.E. for his contributions and was discharged on 3 November 1945. In his subsequent professional career he was well known for development of new mines in Canada, the United States, and overseas. In 1955, he joined Rio Algom Mines and developed the Algom-Quirke mine, the first of the Elliot Lake uranium producers. From 1960 to 1964, he worked as the vice-president and general manager for International Minerals & Chemical. He worked with Newmont Mining as a vice-president (1964- 1969) participating in the startup of the Carlin gold mine in Nevada and development of the Granduc mine in northern British Columbia. From 1979 to 1985 he was chairman of Kilbom Engineering, a Canadian consulting firm that undertook mine design and construction around the world and from 1986 to 1989 was chairman of Discovery West Corp. He was a past president of the Canadian Mining Association. In 1979, he was recipient of the Inco medal and an honorary degree from Mount Allison University. In 1989, he was a recipient of an award from American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) and was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. He was married to Kathryn Ainslie MacDonald and the couple had three children: John, Margaret and James. He died in Toronto, Ontario on 24 August 1999 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He is buried in the Union Church Cemetery at Bayhead (West Tatamagouche), Nova Scotia.