HBC Archives

[mike]

I was just wondering if any of you company men or ladies know of a library in the PNW that might have copies of the HBC archive microfilm.  I am looking for annual reports and correspondence from the Columbia Dept. from about 1835 to 1855.  I am trying to find documentation for trade goods available and events around Ft. Boise.
Your Most Honorable Servant,
Mike

[Two Steps]

Hang around a little while Mike.  We have some folks here who are very knowledgeable in that area...I sure a couple of them will wander by here pretty soon.
Al

[Sir Michael]

The closest HBC records I know of are located in Manitoba, Canada.  

This WEB page may give you some ideas.

http://www.northwestjournal.ca/X2.htm

[ManyVoices]

I know Fort Nisqually and Fort Vancouver have copies of their own journals - not Boise, I know, but of the same period.  

I've got some queries to local folk to see if anyone knows.

[Pichou]

You should be able to order copies.

Have you gone through the indexes?

[ManyVoices]

Here's what I heard from one of the Nisqually scholars - hope it helps!

I don't know of any local libraries that have them, but Tacoma Public Library was able to get several rolls on interlibrary loan for me years ago.  This is a link to the HBC Archive site with information on obtaining the microfilm:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/archives/microfilm/index.html

I know there is an index to the microfilm collection, but when I tried it I came up dry on the search term Boise.  That could mean they know it by some other name, or that no records survived from this post.

Guy has probably already seen the Fort Boise website, but just in case:
http://www.idahohistory.net/OTftboise.html
It sounds like he will be filling a major gap if he can contribute more to the history of this fort.

[Puffer]

Mike, I can offer only 1 other suggestion. Check with your local University.

1. Ft. Boise  ( HBC documents )

A. They may have documents ( including Thesis (published & unpublished.- the Bios can be of great assist.)
B. They may have sources of info
C. They may be willing to assist you in accessing sources only open to "researchers",

2. Journals of the "Oregon Trail immigrants" These may include accounts of their interactions with the post ( incl. what supplies they got there )


I wish the BEST in your Quest. It can be "frustrating" @ times, but the REWARDS are, IMHO GREAT.

Keep us informed

Puffer

[mike]

Thank you for all of the help.  I have corresponded with the archives in Manitoba and they told me that Ft. Boise didn’t report direct so I will need to check out bound correspondence from Ft. Vancouver since it was the department headquarters.  They also recommended looking locally for copies of microfilm before arranging an interlibrary loan from Manitoba.  They also sell copies of microfilm but I would like to preview before I buy.   I will contact Boise State University and start the loan process.
Thanks again,
Mike

[Puffer]

Another  :!:

Check out Ft. Hall ( Wyeth)

In the beginning it & Ft. Boise were in competition,  (most likely carried the same iems & the activities would be sim.

In 1887 it was sold to HBC. ( Accounts of the transaction, including inventory should be recorded ( @ Vancouver )

Puffer

[Sir Michael]

1837 Puffer.

Check out this link to records of Fort Hall.

http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/html/fthall/fthall.html

[DSbur]

Sir Michael,

I can tell you that Ft. Vancouver has little in the way of Microfilm, though they can get it from Manitoba.  I've tried to make sense of the Manitoba catalog system and it is rather vague, particularly when one tries to get specific information.

The folks at Vancouver tell me that the quality of the microfilm is rather poor.  It is difficult to do primary research with them.  Plus you need a reader.  

I remember a rumor that Manitoba was/is converting their docs to digitized records, but I'm not holding my breath.

Oregon Historical Society here in Portland may have what you want, they used to have an online catalog.  It is sporadically open to the public.

http://www.ohs.org/research/library/

This link will get you to the online search...

http://librarycatalog.ohs.org/eosweb/opac/

I have some Ft. Vancouver inventories from 1845-7 ish that may shed some light on what was around at that time, but I have no journals/recpts/logs of what may have gone to Boise.