The Anglican Church of Canada Logo

Policies and forms

Also in General Synod Archives

The following policies and forms support the work of the General Synod Archives and help guide researchers in accessing and using archival records.

For questions about any policy or form, please contact the General Synod Archives.

The mandate of the General Synod Archives is set out in Canon V of the Handbook of the General Synod.

Forms

The following forms are for those wishing to access or use records held by the General Synod Archives.

  • Researcher Registration Form (PDF): Required to visit the General Synod Archives.
  • Research Agreement (PDF): Required for researchers using archival materials, outlining conditions for access, use and protection of personal information.
  • Permission Request Form (PDF): Required to obtain written permission to publish materials from the General Synod Archives.
  • Parish Registers Inquiry Form (PDF): Required to request copies or verbatim transcripts of parish register entries, in accordance with access policies.

Policies

The following policies and guidelines inform the work and processes of the General Synod Archives. Full policy texts are available as PDFs below.

Access to archival records

The General Synod Archives operates under an Access and Restrictions Policy that defines three levels of access to official church records: Open, Closed and Restricted.

  • Open access records are available to researchers once a Researcher Registration Form has been completed.
  • Closed access records are closed for a defined period, often because they contain personal or sensitive information.
  • Restricted access records may be consulted under specific conditions, with privacy protections in place.
Definition of Access Policy, General Synod Archives (PDF)

Donors policy

The Donors Policy outlines the scope of the General Synod Archives’ collecting mandate and the terms under which records are accepted, including deposits, copyright and access restrictions.

Donors Policy, General Synod Archives (PDF)

Citing material from the General Synod Archives

Researchers are asked to cite archival material consistently and clearly in publications, footnotes and endnotes.

Citation template

Item description, date. File title. Collection or fonds title (or short form), accession/series/box/file number, repository (Anglican Church of Canada / General Synod Archives).

References / footnotes / endnotes (examples)

July 12, 1884, Isaac O. Stringer Diary 1884. Stringer family fonds, M74-3 / 1.B.1, Anglican Church of Canada / General Synod Archives, Toronto (ACC/GSA).

October 30 1889, Isaac O. Stringer Diary 1889-1890, Stringer fonds, M74-3 /1.B.3, ACC/GSA.
Reed [Pfeufer] letter to F.H. Smyth, [n.d.]. B-5 FHS: Personal, 1928-1950. Society of Catholic Commonwealth fonds, M90-01, Box 3. Anglican Church of Canada / General Synod Archives (ACC/GSA).

Paul Haldeman interview with T.M. Brown, Brockline, MA, 23 July, 1983 – notes. BR-5 F.H.Smyth – SCC: Putnam Ave. Oratory, 1938-1946. Terry Brown fonds, M2003-03, Box 16. ACC/GSA.

After the first full citation, researchers may use short forms or define repository and fonds abbreviations at the beginning of the endnotes or bibliography.

Bibliography example

Anglican Church of Canada / General Synod Archives, Toronto (ACC/GSA)
     M74-3  Stringer family fonds, (Stringer fonds)
     M90-01 Society of Catholic Commonwealth fonds (SCC fonds)
     M2003-03  Terry Brown fonds

Acknowledging the land and God’s creation

This acknowledgement is crafted in light of the Principles of Reconciliation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as we seek to live faithfully in Christ and in right relationship with all. 

We give thanks to the Creator for this land, its waters, forests and all living beings, and for the abiding presence of Christ among us. From coast to coast to coast, these have been cared for and nurtured by First Nations, Inuit and Métis through countless generations. 

We honour the enduring relationship Indigenous Peoples have cultivated with these lands and waters, and the treaties and agreements that reflect these sacred bonds. We acknowledge the harms caused by colonial expansion, through frameworks like the Doctrine of Discovery and structures like the residential school system. We recognize our past failures as a Church, including disruption of connections to the land and suppression of Indigenous spiritualities. 

Guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we confess our need for healing. We commit ourselves to seeking truth, pursuing reconciliation and nurturing harmony with all creation. We place our trust in Christ, through whom all things are reconciled to God. 

May God strengthen us to live faithfully as stewards of the Earth. Let us walk in love, justice and reconciliation, joining in God’s work to restore all creation.