The New Brunswick government has unveiled a new vital statistics search platform through the Provincial Archives.
It will allow people to find historical records, track requests and access enhanced self-service tools.
According to the Department of Finance and Treasury Board (FTB), modernization efforts have been made in recent years to improve access to archival records through digitization.
“New Brunswickers expect government services to be accessible, efficient and easy to use,” René Legacy, the minister of Finance and Treasury Board, said in a release. “The launch of the new vital statistics search platform demonstrates our commitment to modernizing public services through digital solutions that improve how people access important government records and information.
The department said more than one million records are available through the online platform, including birth records more than 95 years old and marriage records more than 50 years old.
It has also expanded its photo archives from about 2,200 to more than 150,000.
“The archives continue to preserve New Brunswick’s documentary heritage while improving public access to historical records,” Joanna Aiton Kerr, a provincial archivist, said in the release. “The new platform builds on decades of innovation by providing enhanced digital tools that make it easier for New Brunswickers, researchers and families to find and access the records they need.”
The department said recent amendments to the Citizenship Act have resulted in an increase in requests for historical records, which is expected to help respond to those requests.
FTB said in the release the platform will be expanded to accept online payment soon.
The Provincial Archives of New Brunswick was the first in North America to make historical vital statistics available online in 1998.
