Lost in the Archive Sea: Why are Fur Trade Posts Difficult to Locate?

Abstract

A common problem faced in studies of the North American Fur trade is pinpointing the locations of the trading posts. In this presentation, I will summarize some of the factors that contribute to this problem, including instabilities in the operation of posts, competition between companies for traffic, the impermanence of architecture, disasters, and imprecisions and gaps in the documentary record.  My experience as a research assistant searching for information on the location of Fort Fraser in British Columbia, which underwent cycles of closure and shifts in its position during its history from 1806 to 1915, will be used as an example. The presentation will explore the journey of searching through data with vague descriptions, sketchy maps, and poorly reproduced photos in order to gather information on the site’s location. Ultimately, the research presented will show the listener what can be uncovered while lost in the archive sea.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Paul Prince