The Central Archives Department (SCA) of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, located in Longueuil, preserves archival fonds from the General Administration of the Congregation, and of the provincial administrations and educational institutions of the SNJM provinces of Quebec and Ontario. It also keeps the personal archives of the members of these provinces and fonds of some individuals who had business or personal relations with the Congregation. The SNJM archives document the life and work of the sisters from 1843 to present times.

Of the 670 archival fonds kept by the Central Archives Department, the descriptions of 78 fonds are available on the website of the Réseau de diffusion des archives du Québec (Network for the Outreach of Quebec Archives) (www.rdaq.qc.ca in French). The archives cover approximately 450 linear metres of textual records. They include over 10,000 photographs and approximately 2,400 maps and plans. The reference library contains close to 1,000 volumes.

The Central Archives Department has a suitable location and modern equipment which meet the archival standards of conservation and security. Three archivists and four technicians work at the classification, treatment and preservation of documents and at historical and genealogical research. They welcome and receive researchers, by appointment only.

History of SCA