Appendix 3: Minute Book descriptions

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MINUTE BOOKS
MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF ARGYLE

The records of the Municipality of the District of Argyle, in the County of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, have been divided up into fonds* which cover different time periods. This has been done due to the manner in which the records have been received by the archives. The earliest records were left behind in the Argyle Township Court House, Tusket, NS, when that building ceased to serve as Municipal Offices in 1976. When the archives was established, around 1983, it dealt first with the volume of records remaining in the building. When additional records were received incrementally from the Municipality it has usually been more practical to deal with them as a new fonds covering the time period in question. Finding aids assist in providing linkage between the different fonds. Call numbers or retrieval numbers within the Argyle Township Court House Archives fall into two basic groups, RGs, which stand for record groups; and MGs, which stand for manuscript groups. RGs are the records generated by the municipal government for the Municipality of the District of Argyle, while MGs are private sector records generated by other individuals, families, or organizations within the municipality. This is a system employed by many archives in the past, many of which have since dis-continued the practice. We have maintained the basic system as a practical and orderly way of separating the two types of records in an archives of this size. Proper accession records are also maintained for all records tracking the chronological order in which records are received and from whom. All RGs are records generated by the Municipality of the District of Argyle in carrying the different duties and responsibilities of a municipal government in Nova Scotia.

The calls numbers used for the various municipal record fonds within the archives is as follows:

RG1 – Municipality of the District of Argyle Tax Collectors & Tax Assessors Fonds, 1850-1986 (an open ended fonds which we continue to add to incrementally but our current description covers the time period in question – holdings at present extend up to about the year 2000)

RG3 – Municipality of the District of Argyle Fonds, 1879-1926
Contains all municipal records for the period with the exception of the taxation records found in RG1.

RG4 – Municipality of the District of Argyle Fonds, 1926-1986
Contains all municipal records for the period with the exception of taxation records found in RG1

RG5 – Municipality of the District of Argyle Fonds, 1987-2000. RG5 will probably remain an open-ended fonds which we will continue to add records to as they are received at the archives.

RG6 – Town of Wedgeport Fonds, 1890-1948
The Town of Wedgeport was incorporated in 1910 and dissolved in 1947, the only incorporated town within the Municipality of the District of Argyle throughout its history. Before 1910 and after 1947 the Wedgeport area was a municipal district within the Municipality of Argyle. Obviously a few records in the fonds extend back to 1890 and the records from 1948 are no doubt involved with the final wrap-up of the town’s business.

RG10 – Municipal School Board of Argyle Fonds, 1860-1982
Contains all surviving School Board records for the period covered. Although municipal government remained heavily involved and engaged in educational matters during this period, the school boards always appear to have remained their own entity, even when positions such as the Secretary to the School Board was filled by the Municipal Clerk. The school boards were their own governing organization as opposed to a department of the larger municipal government. In 1982 the Argyle School Board ceased to exist when the new Clare-Argyle School Board was formed with its administrative offices in Clare, Digby County, NS and their financial offices located in the municipal building for the Municipality of Argyle. Eventually the financial offices also moved to Clare, and the Clare-Argyle School Board was eventually replaced by the Conseil scholaire acadien provincial for the Acadian/French language schools while the Tri-County School Board became the governing body for the English language schools.

*Fonds – a definition for those not familiar with the term. In archival science, a fonds is the aggregation of documents that originate from the same source.[1] More specifically, a fonds distinguishes itself from a collection through its organic nature, as archival documents that have been naturally accumulated (made or received) by an individual, company, institution, etc. as a byproduct of business or day-to-day activities.[2]

The term fonds originated in French archival practice, but has now spread to English-speaking countries as well. In some countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, it has officially replaced the misleading term collection, which used to be used for this level and is now only used for document aggregations assembled, but not created, by a collector. In the United States, archivists still often use the terms “collection” and “record group” for comparable levels of archival materials.[4]
The important principle that the way in which records are arranged and catalogued in an archive should be dictated by their origin and the administrative processes that created them is known as “respect des fonds.”
The reason the French term “fonds” has come into use is due to the fact that there is no word in the English language that has the same meaning.

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MINUTES

Within any given body, or fonds, of municipal records, the records are broken down into different categories called Series. The most important records generated by Municipal Council are of course the Council Minutes which record all of the major issues and decisions made by the Municipality. In most, if not all of the different fonds cited here, the minutes are usually found as Series A, or Series 1. Due to the fact that most early minutes are contained in large bound volumes, some of those volumes are shared by two different fonds. For example the minutes contained in the first bound volume of minutes all belong to RG3, which covers the time period 1879-1926; the second bound volume is shared by two fonds, RG3 (1879-1926) and RG4, which covers the time period 1926-1986. The listing given here provides a detailed description of all the minute books, their contents, and the call numbers or retrieval numbers associated with them.

Researchers should be reminded that any body of records generated by an organization as large as a municipal government can be complex. Although the minute books are the most important and legal recording of the decisions and activities of the organization, many additional records often need to be consulted for a full understanding of some issues and their background. For instance, in many cases there will be many banker boxes of additional records beyond what was recorded in the minute books. There are periods when the minutes of all or most of the major Council Committees are also recorded in the minute books. During other periods some Committees maintained their own minutes, sometimes in the form of an actual minute book, and other times as loose documents. In some cases, when Municipal Council accepts and approves the minutes of a Committee, it is approving a series of recommendations that were put forward by the Committee, and may require a further investigation of the Committee minutes in order to clarify the decisions made. During different periods of time there may have been paper copies of Council Minutes maintained by the Clerk in addition to the formal copy entered into the minute book. In some cases these have been retained as well for a range of reasons.

The main Municipal Council Minutes are found in the bound minute books and other minute books maintained by the Municipal Clerk. Formats vary, probably based on the preferences of the Municipal Clerk, and possibly influenced by directives from Council. The majority of the minutes contained in the bound volumes are hand-written, with some published/printed Minutes of Annual Meeting and Semi-Annual Meeting Minutes glued into the minute books. The style and format of minutes have altered at different times due to changing technologies, first with the advent of type-writers, and then computers.

Appendix #4 provides a list of the Municipal Clerks, who were the recorders for the majority of the Municipal Council Minutes.

Entire set of Minute Books held by the Argyle Township Court House Archives in 2014 are described as follows:

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #1

Date range : 13 Jan. 1880 – May 1904
Extent: volume has 760 numbered pages; pages 737-760 are blank
Physical description: Calfskin leather; embossed on spine: “RECORD OF/MUNICIPALITY/OF ARGYLE” “No.1”; marbled liner papers inside front & back covers
Dimensions: 40cm x 30 cm x 6.5 cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: Stationary label inside front cover reads: “Crosby & Ryerson,/Booksellers and Stationers/-DEALERS IN-/ FANCY GOODS, MUSIC, & c./YARMOUTH, N.S.”
Additional/secondary label reads: “This Book can be duplicated by/sending the number to our address./ No. 841/27”[numbers hand-written in ink]
Format: Entire volume consists of handwritten minutes
Condition: Leather spine is partially detached, and should be re-glued or repaired [2014]. Volume is otherwise in good condition.
Intellectual access: Access is provided by a proper archival description of this body of records found on the ATCHA website.
Physical access: This minute book was microfilmed by the Public Archives of Nova Scotia in 1984 (NSA microfilm #12162) and for preservation purposes use of the microfilm copy is preferred over handling of the original. Microfilm copy is available at the Argyle Township Court House Archives.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG3 Ser.A – Minutes – Min.Bk.1 – 13 Jan. 1880 – May 1904

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #2

Date range: 10 Jan. 1905 – 7 Dec. 1948
Extent: volume has 800 numbered pages; pages 799-800 are blank
Physical description: Calfskin leather; embossed on spine: “RECORD OF/MUNICIPALITY/OF ARGYLE” “No.2”; marbled liner papers inside front & back covers.
Dimensions: 40cm x 30cm x 6.5cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: Although it appears this blank volume may have been purchased at the same time as the 1st minute book it lacks the same stationary label. It does contain an identical secondary label which again reads: “This Book can be duplicated by/sending the number to our address./ No. 3261/6”[numbers hand-written in ink]
Format: Volume begins with handwritten minutes, then format alters. See detailed notes below.
Detailed notes: This volume contains all hand-written minutes until May 1932, or until p.633 and then the format changes. During this period it is clear that Municipal Council was able to conduct the majority, and sometimes all of their business, through their Annual Meeting in January of each year, and their Semi-Annual Meeting in May. The minutes of the Annual Meeting and the Semi-Annual Meeting during this period were published/printed in a broadsheet format, and probably also published in the local newspapers. Beginning in May 1932, the then Municipal Clerk, Bernard H. Hurlbert (1924-1951) began pasting a copy of these minutes directly into the minute books. In some years there were Special or additional meetings called other than the Annual and Semi-annual, and when this occurred those minutes are recorded in hand-writing. This format/method of keeping the minutes was maintained until 7 Dec. 1948 or the end of this Minute Book.
Condition: Good – 2014
Intellectual access: Access is provided by a proper archival description of this body of records found on the ATCHA website.
Physical access: This minute book was microfilmed by the Public Archives of Nova Scotia in 1984 (NSA microfilm #12162) and for preservation purposes use of the microfilm copy is preferred over handling of the original. Microfilm copy is available at the Argyle Township Court House Archives.
Minute Book is shared by two fonds.
CALL NUMBERS/RETRIEVAL NUMBERS ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG3 Ser.A – Minutes – Min.Bk.2 – 10 Jan. 1905 – 2 Dec. 1948 and
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 10 Jan. 1905 – 2 Dec. 1948

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #3

Date range: 25 Jan. 1949 – 8 Jan. 1964
Extent: volume has 500 numbered pages and all numbered pages have been used
Physical description: volume is more modern in appearance than the first two minutes books, hard-
covered, maroon in colour; no embossing on spine; obviously purchased at
a much later date than the first two minute books; marbled liner papers inside both
the front and back covers
Dimensions: 40.5cm x 28.5 cm x 9 cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: No stationary labels to indicate where the volume was
purchased.
Format of minutes: This volume continues with the format of the previous volume,
with printed/published minutes for Annual (Jan.) and Semi-annual (May) Meetings
being glued onto the pages of the minute book, with any additional meetings being
recorded in hand-writing. However, in this minute book, an additional variation is
found. Beginning with the Jan. meeting of May 1951 the new Clerk (Cyriac Boudreau) also began to attach some loose documents in the minute book. These were usually attached using scotch tape, or something similar, which in many cases has lost its adhesive quality and the documents are now loose in the minute book. Most documents appear to still be in the minute book in the appropriate location, with the marks left by tape confirming their original location. In January 1956, due to the hiring of a stenographer
another approach was used in the minute format, beginning on p.85 the minutes are
found typed on legal-size pages and then glued onto the numbered pages in the
minute book. It is at this time that the Municipality appears to have ceased publishing
the Annual and Semi-Annual Meeting minutes, as only typed pages are found in the
minute book, and the attaching of loose documents to the pages became much more
uncommon. Occasional Special Meetings during this period are still hand-written
into the minute books. For some reason on 5 May 1959, p.254 in this minute book,
the minutes of meetings resumed being hand-written into the minute book.

SEE APPENDIX #6 found within the description  for RG4, Municipality of the District of Argyle Fonds, 1926-1986 for a list of the various loose or attached documents in this minute book and the pages numbers where they are located.

Intellectual access: Fonds level description on ATCHA website provides intellectual access through a proper description for this body of records.
Physical access: Although the original minute books may be consulted this minute book is also available on microfilm and that is the preferred mode of access to limit physical handling of the original. Microfilming of a series of Argyle Municipal Council Minutes (4 reels of microfilm) was carried out in 2000/2001 at the Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax, NS through a program funded by the Canadian Council of Archives (CPCAR funding) and the Council of Nova Scotia Archives. This minute book is found on two reels of microfilm, Reel #1 first containing pp.1-285; and Reel #2 containing pp.286-500. [M2001:29]

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.1 – 25 Jan.1949-8 Jan.1964

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #4

Date range: 28 Jan. 1964 – 17 Mar. 1970
Extent:109 leaves; 196 pages (heavy paper stock)
Physical description: legal-size pages (heavy paper stock), bound in black plastic duo-tang covers; pages in this minute book extend slightly beyond edges of the plastic duo-tang covers. Title applied on front duo-tang cover with green dymo-tape, and reads: “MUNICIPALTY OF ARGYLE/ MINUTES/ JAN 64 TO DEC 69”
Dimensions: 33cm x 23cm x 2cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: None
Format: typed minutes on legal-size heavy stock paper; 2-3 letter size pages are found within the volume, also securely bound with the other pages; minute book does not have continuous page numbering, each set of meeting minutes having independent page numbering, and then the collective minutes for the time period indicated have been bound together in chronological order. Note: Continuous page numbering has not been applied at present [2014]. In this minute book there is one set of “draft”, handwritten minutes for a Special Meeting held 2 March 1964. The proper typed minutes for this meeting are also present in the minute book, but the draft copy has been clipped to the pages for that meeting.
Condition: Good – 2014.
Intellectual access: Fonds level description on ATCHA website provides intellectual access through a proper description for this body of records.
Physical access: Although the original minute books may be consulted this minute book is also available on microfilm and that is the preferred mode of access to limit physical handling of the original. Microfilming of a series of Argyle Municipal Council Minutes (4 reels of microfilm) was carried out in 2000/2001 at the Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax, NS through a program funded by the Canadian Council of Archives (CPCAR funding) and the Council of Nova Scotia Archives. This minute book is found on Reel #2 in its entirety.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.1 – 28 Jan.1964-17 Mar. 1970

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #5

Date range: 1 Feb. 1970 – 30 Sept. 1974
Extent: 100 leaves; 178 pages (heavy paper stock)
Physical description: legal-size pages (heavy paper stock), bound in black plastic duo-tang covers; pages in this minute book extend slightly beyond edge of the plastic duo-tang covers. . Title applied on front duo-tang cover with green dymo-tape, and reads: “MUNICIPALTY OF ARGYLE/ MINUTES/ FEB 70 TO SEPT 74”
Dimensions:33cm x 23cm x 2cm
Stationary label/s, etc: None
Format: typed minutes on legal-size heavy stock paper; minute book does not have continuous page numbering, each set of meeting minutes has independent page numbering, and then the collective minutes for the time period indicated have been bound together in chronological order.
Note: Continuous page numbering has not been applied at present [2014].
Condition: First few pages of the minute book are curled and frayed at the edges where the pages extend beyond the plastic duo-tang covers. Otherwise in good condition – 2014.
Intellectual access: Fonds level description on ATCHA website provides intellectual access through a proper description for this body of records.
Physical access: Although the original minute books may be consulted this minute book is also available on microfilm and that is the preferred mode of access to limit physical handling of the original. Microfilming of a series of Argyle Municipal Council Minutes (4 reels of microfilm) was carried out in 2000/2001 at the Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax, NS through a program funded by the Canadian Council of Archives (CPCAR funding) and the Council of Nova Scotia Archives. This minute book is found on Reel #2 in its entirety.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.1 – 10 Feb. 1970-30 Sep. 1974

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #6

Date range: Jan.1975 – 27 Dec.1977
Extent: 104 leaves; 174 pages (heavy/thick paper stock)
Physical description: legal-size pages (heavy paper stock), bound in black plastic duo-tang covers; pages in this minute book extend slightly beyond edge of the plastic duo-tang covers. Title applied on front of duo-tang cover with blue dymo-tape, and reads: “MUNICIPALTY OF ARGYLE/ MINUTES/ 1975 TO 1977”
Dimensions:33cm x 23cm x 2cm
Stationary label/s, etc: None
Format: typed minutes on legal-size heavy stock paper; minute book does not have continuous page numbering, each set of meeting minutes has independent page numbering, and then the collective minutes for the time period indicated have been bound together in chronological order.
Note: Continuous page numbering has not been applied at present [2014].
Intellectual access: Fonds level description on ATCHA website provides intellectual access through a proper description for this body of records.
Physical access: Although the original minute books may be consulted this minute book is also available on microfilm and that is the preferred mode of access to limit physical handling of the original. Microfilming of a series of Argyle Municipal Council Minutes (4 reels of microfilm) was carried out in 2000/2001 at the Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax, NS through a program funded by the Canadian Council of Archives (CPCAR funding) and the Council of Nova Scotia Archives. This minute book is found on Reel #2 in its entirety.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.1 – 21 Jan. 1975-27 Dec. 1977

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #7

Date range: 6 Jan. 1978 – 14 Dec. 1978 (typed minutes bound in plastic duo-tang covers)
Extent: 71 leaves; 119 pages (heavy/thick paper stock)
Physical description: legal-size pages (heavy paper stock), bound in black plastic duo-tang covers; pages in this minute book extend slightly beyond edge of the plastic duo-tang covers. Title applied on front duo-tang cover with blue dymo-tape, and reads: “MUNICIPALTY OF ARGYLE/ MINUTES 1978”
Dimensions:33cm x 23cm x 2cm
Stationary label/s, etc: None
Format: typed minutes on legal-size heavy stock paper; minute book does not have continuous page numbering, each set of meeting minutes has independent page numbering, and then the collective minutes for the time period indicated have been bound together in chronological order. Continuous page numbering has not been applied at present [2014].
Condition: Good – 2014
Intellectual access: Fonds level description on ATCHA website provides intellectual access through a proper description for this body of records.
Physical access: Although the original minute books may be consulted this minute book is also available on microfilm and that is the preferred mode of access to limit physical handling of the original. Microfilming of a series of Argyle Municipal Council Minutes (4 reels of microfilm) was carried out in 2000/2001 at the Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax, NS through a program funded by the Canadian Council of Archives (CPCAR funding) and the Council of Nova Scotia Archives. This minute book is found on Reel #2 in its entirety.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.1 – 6 Jan. 1978-14 Dec. 1978

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #8

Date range: 2 Jan. 1979 – March 1981 (hard-bound volume)
Extent: 500 numbered pages; minutes recorded on pp.1-500
Physical description: hard-bound minute book; black & maroon; embossed on spine, “RECORD” front cover titled with applied red dyno-tape, “MUNICIPALITY OF ARGYLE/ MINUTE BOOK/ JAN. 1979 TO MAR. 81[end date scratched onto dyno-tape]
Dimensions: 36cm x 23cm x 4cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: [on front liner paper] “BLUELINE/200 PAGES/Record 01170101/ Cols. 01170102/ 3 Cols. 01170103/ 300 PAGES/ Record 01170201/ 2 Cols. 01170202/ 3 Cols. 01170203/ 500 PAGES/ Record 01170301/ 2 Cols. 01170302/ 3 Cols. 01170303/ 773/ litho CANADA/ DOMINION BLANK BOOK CO. LIMITED/ SAVOY ET SES FILS/ 230 FOCH, SAINT JEAN, QUE”
Format: handwritten minutes; only one insertion on one legal-size page glued/taped onto front liner page, typed (with written handwritten additions), provides a list of Municipal Wardens from 1880-1979, and years of service; Municipal Clerks, 1880-1990 and years of service; Municipal Treasurers, 1880-1990, and years of service; and some Municipal Councillors, 1937-1979 [not complete]
Condition: Good – 2014
Intellectual access: Fonds level description on ATCHA website provides intellectual access through a proper description for this body of records.
Physical access: Although the original minute books may be consulted this minute book is also available on microfilm and that is the preferred mode of access to limit physical handling of the original. Microfilming of a series of Argyle Municipal Council Minutes (4 reels of microfilm) was carried out in 2000/2001 at the Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax, NS through a program funded by the Canadian Council of Archives (CPCAR funding) and the Council of Nova Scotia Archives. This minute book is found on Reel #2 in its entirety.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.1 – 2 Jan. 1979-1 Mar. 1981

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #9

Date range: 11 Mar. 1981-12 Oct. 1982 (hard-bound volume)
Extent: 500 numbered pages; minutes recorded on pp.1-490
Physical description: hard-bound minute book; black & maroon; embossed on spine, “RECORD;” [no titling with dyno-tape on this volume]
Dimensions: 36cm x 23cm x 4cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: [on front liner paper] “BLUELINE/200 PAGES/Record 01170101/ Cols. 01170102/ 3 Cols. 01170103/ 300 PAGES/ Record 01170201/ 2 Cols. 01170202/ 3 Cols. 01170203/ 500 PAGES/ Record 01170301/ 2 Cols. 01170302/ 3 Cols. 01170303/ 773/ litho CANADA/ DOMINION BLANK BOOK CO. LIMITED/ SAVOY ET SES FILS/ 230 FOCH, SAINT JEAN, QUE”
Format: handwritten minutes; only one insertion on one legal-size page glued/taped onto front liner page, typed [no handwritten additions] providing a list of Municipal Wardens from 1880-1979, and years of service; Municipal Clerks, 1880-1976 and years of service; Municipal Treasurers, 1880-1976, and years of service; and some Municipal Councillors, 1937-1979 [not complete]; also at the front of this minute book is one loose document [14 leaves; 14p.] stapled together, dated __ Jan. 1982, which is the legal agreement between the “Municipality of the District of Argyle and the Municipality of the District of Clare – with the Minister of Education for the Province of Nova Scotia,” relating to the formation of the Clare-Argyle School Board. This is obviously a “DRAFT” copy, as although it contains a list of the interim members of the new Board, this copy has not been signed by the parties in question.
Condition: Good – 2014
Intellectual access: Fonds level description on ATCHA website provides intellectual access through a proper description for this body of records.
Physical access: Although the original minute books may be consulted this minute book is also available on microfilm and that is the preferred mode of access to limit physical handling of the original. Microfilming of a series of Argyle Municipal Council Minutes (4 reels of microfilm) was carried out in 2000/2001 at the Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax, NS through a program funded by the Canadian Council of Archives (CPCAR funding) and the Council of Nova Scotia Archives. This minute book is found in part on Reel #2 (pp.1-147), and the remainder on Reel #3 (pp.148-490).

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.1 – 11 Mar. 1981-12 Oct. 1982

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #10

Date range: 20 Oct. 1982 – 17 Dec. 1985 (hard-bound volume)
Extent: 800 numbered pages; 3 additional unnumbered leaves at end of volume; hand-written minutes recorded on pp.1-788
Physical description: hard-bound volume; tan coloured calf-skin[?] covers with red leather corners, and a red leather strip on spine which carries the embossing; marbled liner papers; embossed on spine: “RECORD OF/ MUNICIPALITY/OF ARGYLE”; lined pages
Dimensions: 41cm x 30cm x 8cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: None
Format: hand-written minutes only
Condition: Good – 2014
Intellectual access: Fonds level description on ATCHA website provides intellectual access through a proper description for this body of records.
Physical access: Although the original minute books may be consulted this minute book is also available on microfilm and that is the preferred mode of access to limit physical handling of the original. Microfilming of a series of Argyle Municipal Council Minutes (4 reels of microfilm) was carried out in 2000/2001 at the Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax, NS through a program funded by the Canadian Council of Archives (CPCAR funding) and the Council of Nova Scotia Archives. This minute book is found on Reel #3 in its entirety.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.1 – 20 Oct. 1982-17 Dec. 1985

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #11

Date range:11 – 7 Jan. 1986 – 9 Feb. 1989 (hard-bound volume)
Extent: 800 numbered pages; hand-written minutes recorded on pp.1-797; 1 additional unnumbered leaf at end of volume.
Physical description: hard-bound volume; tan coloured calf-skin[?] covers with red leather corners, and red leather strip on spine which carries the embossing; marbled liner papers; embossed on spine: “RECORD OF/ MUNICIPALITY/OF ARGYLE”; lined pages
Dimensions: 41cm x 30cm x 8cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: None
Format: hand-written minutes only
Condition: Good 2014
Intellectual access: Fonds level description on ATCHA website provides intellectual access through a proper description for this body of records.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG4 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – 7 Jan. 1986-9 Feb. 1989 Council & Committee Minutes &
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – 7 Jan. 1986-9 Feb. 1989 Council &

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #12

Date range: 14 Feb. 1989 – 25 Sept. 1991 (hard-bound volume)
Extent: 800 numbered pages; 3 additional unnumbered lined leaves at end of volume which have been hand-numbered in pen on both sides with page numbers 801-806; hand-written minutes recorded on pp.1-806
Physical description: hard-bound volume; tan coloured calf-skin[?] covers with red leather corners and a red leather spine; plain liner papers; embossed on spine: “RECORD OF/ MUNICIPALITY/OF ARGYLE BOOK 3”; lined pages
Dimensions: 41cm x 30cm x 8cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: “NEWSOME AND GILBERT/LIMITED/PRINTERS-LITHOGRAPHERS-STATIONERS/TORONTO/NO.J4443[number written on label by hand]
Format: hand-written minutes only; pp.519-521 also has newspaper clippings glued into the minute book pertaining to the loss of Municipal Clerk, Jerry P. Doucet, who was lost at sea near Wedgeport on 18 Nov. 1990 – clippings are in both English & French.
Condition: Good – 2014
Intellectual access: Fonds and series level descriptions for this body of records are available onsite at ATCHA in 2014 and that description will eventually be published to the ATCHA website.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 14 Feb. 1989 to 25 Sept. 1991

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #13

Date range: 1 Oct. 1991 – 26 Aug. 1993 (hard-bound volume)
Extent: 800 numbered pages; 3 additional unnumbered lined leaves at end of volume; hand-written minutes recorded on pp.1-515; on p.516 hand-written notation reads, “See Binders/for minutes/after August 26/93”
Physical description: hard-bound volume; tan coloured calf-skin[?] covers with red leather corners and a red leather spine; plain liner papers; embossed on spine: “RECORD OF/ MUNICIPALITY/OF ARGYLE BOOK 4”; lined pages
Dimensions: 41cm x 30cm x 8cm
Stationary label/s, etc.: “NEWSOME AND GILBERT/LIMITED/PRINTERS-LITHOGRAPHERS-STATIONERS/TORONTO/NO.J4443[number written on label by hand]
Format: hand-written minutes only.
Note: This is the last of the bound minute books, and minutes are thereafter contained in three-ring binders up to and including the present year, 2014.
Condition: Good – 2014
Intellectual access: Fonds and series level descriptions for this body of records are available onsite at ATCHA in 2014 and that description will eventually be published to the ATCHA website.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 1 Oct. 1991 to 26 Aug. 1993

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #14

Date range: 8 Jan. 1991 – 31 March 1992
Extent: 178 leaves; pp.1-178p. [page numbers written in by hand]
Physical description: navy blue three-ring binder, plastic covers; typed label inserted in plastic slot on binder spine reads “Council/Meeting/8 Jan. 1991-/ 31 Mar. 1992”
Dimensions: 30cm x 28cm x 5cm [binder for standard 8 ½ x 11 in. paper; sold as 2” binders]
Format: Typed minutes [computer generated], printed on one side of the pages only, and three-hole punched for the binder; continuous page numbers handwritten on the pages after the fact; page divider used as a title page and in hand-writing has the following notation: “COUNCIL BINDER #1/ Pages 1 to 178”

Note: It will be noted that these minutes, in this format, were obviously maintained in this manner, and then hand-written into the hard-bound minute books. A detailed comparison between the two has not been made to date. Pages numbers assigned in binders do not correspond to the same page numbers in the hand-written hard-bound minute book which contain the same minutes. As such, the typed [computer generated] copy of the minutes found in this minute book/binder must be considered duplicates, while the final and legal minutes are those copied by hand into the larger bound minute book listed above. [2014].
Condition: Good in 2014.
Intellectual access: Fonds and series level descriptions for this body of records are available onsite at ATCHA in 2014 and that description will eventually be published to the ATCHA website.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 8 Jan. 1991 to 31 Mar. 1992

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #15

Date range: 2 Apr. 1992 – 9 Mar. 1993
Extent: 155 leaves; 155 pages; continues page numbering from previous minute book/binder and includes pp.179-316; page numbers applied in hand-writing after the fact; unnumbered pages in the minute book result in the total number of pages being greater than what the pp.179-316 numbering would suggest [see page numbering notes below]
Physical description: navy blue three-ring binder, plastic covers; typed label inserted in plastic slot on binder spine reads “Council/Meeting/2 Apr. 1992-/ 9 Mar. 1993”
Dimensions: 30cm x 28cm x 5cm [binder for standard 8 ½ x 11 in. paper; sold as 2” binders]
Format: Typed minutes [computer generated], printed on one side of the pages only, and three-hole punched for the binder; continuous page numbers handwritten on the pages after the fact, and continues page numbering from previous binder; page divider used as a title page and in hand-writing has the following notation: “COUNCIL BINDER #2/ Pages 179 to 316”
Page numbering notes: As indicated above, this binder/minute book continues the page numbering from the previous binder and covers the page range pp.179-316. While the range of page numbers suggests a total number of pages of 137 the real number is 155 due to the page numbering anomalies found in the minute book as follows: following p.210 are 13 unnumbered page (13p.) in this minute book; and after p.222 there are 5 unnumbered pages (which are the minutes of a meeting held on Tues. 12 May 1992)

Note: It will be noted that these minutes, in this format, were obviously maintained in this format, and then hand-written into the hard-bound minute books. A detailed comparison between the two has not been made to date. Pages numbers assigned in binders do not correspond to the same page numbers in the hand-written hard-bound minutes which contain the same minutes. It should be noted here that due to this fact, this so-called minute book (the typed copies maintained in binders), become a duplicate copy of the minutes, while the handwritten ones entered into the large bound minute book stand as the official and legal copy [2014].
Condition: Binder and contents are in good condition in 2014.
Intellectual access: Fonds and series level descriptions for this body of records are available onsite at ATCHA in 2014 and that description will eventually be published to the ATCHA website.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 2 Apr. 1992 – 9 Mar. 1993

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #16

Date range: 13 Apr. 1993 – 17 Mar. 1995
Extent: 275 leaves; 275 pages; p.271 is last numbered page in minute book; page numbers applied in hand-writing after-the-fact [see notes on page numbering below]
Physical description: navy blue three-ring binder, plastic covers; typed label inserted in plastic slot on binder spine reads: “Council Meeting/ 13 Apr. 1993 – 17 Mar. 1995”
Dimensions: 30cm x 29cm x 8cm [binder for standard 8 ½ x 11 in. paper; sold as 3” binder]
Format: Typed minutes [computer generated], printed on one side of the pages only, and three-hole punched for the binder; continuous page numbering throughout the binder, with numbers applied in hand-writing after the fact; page divider used as title page has notation in hand-writing “COUNCIL BINDER #3”; first page divider which serves a title page has a divider label which reads “1993-1994”, a second divider is interested after p.125 and divider label reads “1994-1995”; page numbering is continuous throughout the entire binder from pp.1-271
Notes on page numbering: Although the last page in this minute book is p.271, sub-numbering of some pages, because of attachments, or for other reasons, means 271 does not represent the total number of leaves/pages. Page numbering anomalies found in this minute book as follows: p.79A (1p.); pp.100A-B (2p.); and p.194A(1p.)

Note: With this binder, with the meeting of 26 Aug. 1993 (pp.64-66), a hand-written copy of the minutes were no longer copied into the large bound minute books, and began to be retained only in the binders. Prior to and including the minutes of 26 Aug. 1993, the handwritten minutes in the minute books would be deemed the final and legal copy of minutes. After this date, the typed [computer generated] minutes maintained in binders become the final and official minutes of Municipal Council.
Condition: Good in 2014.
Intellectual access: Fonds and series level descriptions for this body of records are available onsite at ATCHA in 2014 and that description will eventually be published to the ATCHA website.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 13 Apr. 1993 – 17 Mar. 1995

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #17

Date range: 4 April 1995 – 18 March 1997
Extent: 295 leaves  + 1 loose document in binder pocket]; last page in minute book appears as p.280; page numbers applied to tops of pages in hand-writing after-the-fact [see also notes on page numbering below]
Physical description: navy blue three-ring binder, plastic cover; typed label inserted in plastic slot on binder spine reads: “COUNCIL MINUTES/ APRIL 1995/to/MARCH 31 1997”
Dimensions: 30cm x 29cm x 8cm [binder for standard 8 ½ x 11 in. paper; sold as 3” binder]
Format: Typed minutes [computer generated], printed on one side of the pages only, and three-hole punched for the binder; continuous page number throughout the binder, with number applied in hand-writing after the fact; file folder label attached to inside of front binder cover reads, “COUNCIL BINDER NUMBER 4,” page divider used as title page has a divider label with notation “1995-1995”; a second page divider is found after p.143, and has a divider label, “1996-1997”; page numbering is continuous throughout the entire binder from pp.1-280
Notes on page numbering: Although the last page in this minute book is p.280, sub-numbering of some pages, because of attachments, or for other reasons, means 280 does not represent the total number of leaves/pages. Page numbering anomalies found in this minute book as follows: p.50A-B (2p.); p.109A-G (7p.); p.251A-C (3p.); p.267A-B (2p.) + there is a FAX copy of one letter to the Warden dated 7 March 1997 from the provincial minister responsible in regard to RDAs (Regional Development Authorities) which is found in the back pocket of this binder 1p.).
Condition: Fair – front binder hinge cracked [2014].
Intellectual access: Fonds and series level descriptions for this body of records are available onsite at ATCHA in 2014 and that description will eventually be published to the ATCHA website.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 13 Apr. 1993 – 17 Mar. 1995

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #18

Date range: 8 April 1997 – 27 Mar. 2001
Extent: 428 leaves; 429p.; 418 numbered pages + 2 leaves, 3p. in plastic sheet protectors at front of binder [see also notes on page numbering below]
Physical description: navy blue three-ring binder, plastic covers; typed label inserted in plastic slot on binder spine reads: “COUNCIL MINUTES/ APRIL 1, 1997 TO/ MARCH 31, 2001”
Dimensions: 30cm x 29cm x 8cm [binder for standard 8 ½ x 11 in. paper, sold as 3” binder]
Format: Typed minutes [computer generated], one-sided printing; typed pages at front of binder, preceding the minutes, enclosed in plastic sheet protectors contain: 1-2) COUNCIL MEMBERS, which includes District number, names of Councillors, and Their Years of Service (list appears on both sides of the page) 3) List of Wardens, Municipal Clerks and Municipal Treasurers, and their years of service; 1st page divider in binder has divider label which reads “1997-98”; second divider comes directly after p.109, and divider label reads “1998-99”; third divider comes directly after p.216, and divider label reads “1999-2000”; fourth divider comes after p.378 and divider label reads “2000-2001”; continuous page numbering throughout the binder, applied in hand-writing after-the-fact
Notes on page numbering: Although page numbering is continuous throughout this minute book, there are some page numbering anomalies due to the sub-numbering of some pages due to attachments, or for other reasons. This is why the final page number in the minute book does not represent the true total of the number of pages. Anomalies in this minute book are as follows:
2 leaves, 3 pages of material which precede the minutes as noted above (3p.); pp.146A-C (3p.); p.272-1 (1p.); pp.348A-D (4p.)
Condition: Contents good – binder in poor condition with both front and back hinges cracked [2014]. Binder should be replaced.
Intellectual access: Fonds and series level descriptions for this body of records are available onsite at ATCHA in 2014 and that description will eventually be published to the ATCHA website.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 8 Apr. 1997 – 27 Mar. 2001

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #19

Date range: 13 Apr. 2001 – 30 March 2004
Extent: 478 leaves; 478 pages; continuous page numbers added in hand-writing after the fact; last page number in minute book shows as p.410 [see page numbering details in “Format”]
Physical description: navy blue three-ring binder, plastic covers; typed label inserted in plastic slot on binder spine reads: “COUNCIL MINUTES/ 2001 APRIL 01/ TO/ 2004 MARCH 30”
Dimensions:30cm x 30cm x 9cm [binder for standard 8 ½ x 11 in. paper, sold as 3.5” binder]
Format: Typed minutes [computer generated], one-sided printing; 1st page divider in binder follows p.92 and is simply a blue post-it note with “2002” written on it; second divider in binder follows p.229, and is another blue post-it note with “2003” written on it; continuous page numbering has been written on the pages by hand, after-the-fact
Notes on page numbering: page numbers written in hand appear on the tops of pages; page numbering within individual meeting minutes are “printed” on the bottoms of page; in addition to the regular page numbering there are the following additional page numbers or anomalies: in addition to regular pages there are also pages 85A-G (7p.); 204A(1p.); 212A (1p.); 279A-D (4p.); 282A-B (2p.); 302a-j(10p.); 328a-f (6p.); and 329A (contains 18pages unnumbered) – this results in 49 additional pages beyond what the final page number in the minute book would suggest
Condition: [2014] Binder spine is broken; binder is “sprung” – should be replaced with a new binder
Intellectual access: Fonds and series level descriptions for this body of records are available onsite at ATCHA in 2014 and that description will eventually be published to the ATCHA website.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 13 Apr. 2001 – 30 Mar. 2004

Municipality of the District of Argyle – Minute Book #20

Date range: 13 April 2004 – 27 March 2007
Extent: 478 leaves; 478 pages; continuous page numbers added in hand-writing after the fact [Note:page numbers 1-379 were written on the pages at the Municipal Office, and pp.380-410 were added to the final pages by the archivist, at the archives, 8 Sep. 2014, those pages not having been numbered previously. Also within the minute books there is some sub-numbering, i.e. there may be a p.370a, 370b, 370c, etc. hence the last numbered page in the minute book carries page number 410, while in reality there are a total of 478 pages as indicated above]
Physical description: navy blue three-ring binder, plastic covers; typed & hand-written label inserted in plastic slot on binder reads “2004 APRIL O1/ TO/ 2007 MARCH 31/COUNCIL MINUTES”
Dimensions: 30cm x31cm x 10cm [binder for standard 8 ½ x 11 in. paper, sold as 4” binder]
Format: Typed minutes [computer generated], one-sided printing; page numbering is continuous and added to the pages in hand-writing after the fact; there is some sub-numbering within the minute book, i.e. there may be a p.370, p.370a, p.370b, etc.; in addition to the page numbering added in hand at the top of the pages, there is usually page numbering at the bottom of the page, which is independent page numbering for each individual meeting or document.
Notes on page numbering: page numbers written in hand appear on the tops of pages; page numbering within individual meeting minutes are “printed” on the bottoms of page; in addition to the regular page numbering there are the following additional page numbers or anomalies: 2 unnumbered pages which follow p.28 (2p.);179A-C (3p.);188A-Z, 188aa-as (45p.); 189A-E (5p.); 231A(1p.); 270A(1p.); 291A-B(2p.); 307A-F(6p.); 332A-B(2p.); 337A(1p.)
Condition: In Sept. 2014: A sturdy binder, in excellent condition
Intellectual access: Fonds and series level descriptions for this body of records are available onsite at ATCHA in 2014 and that description will eventually be published to the ATCHA website.
Physical access: In 2014 physical access is provided by access to the original minute books only.

CALL NUMBER/RETRIEVAL NUMBER ASSIGNED BY ARCHIVES:
RG5 Ser.A – Sub-ser.2 – Council & Committee Minutes – 13 Apr. 2004 – 27 Mar. 2007

MINUTE BOOKS FROM APRIL 2007 TO THE PRESENT ARE STILL HELD BY THE MUNICIPAL OFFICE IN 2014.