Ottawa, January, 2001  --  The National Archives announces that almost all of the remaining closed records in the William Lyon Mackenzie King fonds have been opened to the public this month. (A few documents relating to the Gouzenko affair remain closed in accordance with agreements with foreign governments on the release of confidential information.)

Newly opened records include the Spiritualism Series and the Finances Series, as well as letters exchanged with Julia Grant (Princess Cantacuzene) in the Personal Correspondence Series, staff and accounts files in the Laurier House and Kingsmere Series and a significant portion of the Personal Miscellaneous Series.

The Spiritualism Series consists of seven volumes of files which document King’s interest in spiritualism and the psychic world. The Finances Series contains King’s personal financial records, including information on the Laurier House Trust Fund.

Detailed descriptions for all of the series are available on ArchiviaNet, the National Archives of Canada on-line research tool.

Media contact:
Louisa Coates
Senior Communications Officer
Telephone: (613) 992-9361
E-mail: media@lac-bac.gc.ca