This series consists of two sub-series: Subject files (volumes 1-38) and correspondence. The greater part of documents are dated before 1965 but some were dated from 1965 to 1978.
Sub-séries Subject files, 1900-1978, volumes 1-38.
This sub-series is arranged in 24 sub-sub-series and documents the several steps and activities of the life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau before 1978.
1: Parents: 1900-1935 (chronological order), volume 1, files 1-13. This sub-sub- series concerns mainly Joseph Charles Émile Trudeau, father of P.E. Trudeau.
2: Childhood and elementary studies: 1919-1932 (chronological order), volume 1, files 14-23. This sub-sub-series Includes his Baby Book, bulletins and scholar works.
3: Secondary studies 1932-1940 (alphabetical order), volume 1, file 24 to volume 4.
This sub-sub-series consists of bulletins, scholar works, course notes and other material accumulated during his classical studies at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, Montreal.
4: Studies at the Université de Montréal et work as lawyer: 1940-1944 (alphabetical order), volumes 5 and 6. This sub-sub-series documents Pierre Elliott Trudeau activities during his studies in Law, 1940-1943, his military service 1941-1944 and his work for the Firm Hyde, Ahern, Smith in 1943-1944.
5: Studies at the Harvard University: 1944-1946 (alphabetical order) volume 7.
6: Studies at Paris and London: 1946-1948 (chronological) volume 8.
These two sub-sub-series comprises administratives records, course notes, scholar works, articles and souvenirs. A file documents a summer job at the Sullivan Consolidated Mines (vol. 8, file 2).
7: Work at the Privy Council: 1949-1951 (alphabetical order), volumes 9 et 10.
This sub-sub-series comprises memoranda and reports written by Pierre Elliott Trudeau about Federal Provincial Relations and other material.
8: Travels: 1933-1967 (chronological order), volumes 11-13.
This sub-sub-series comprises passports, maps, pamphlets, souvenirs, photos, and notes, articles and speeches written by Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
Sub-sub series 9 to 19: These sub-sub-series document Pierre Elliott Trudeau's various activities from 1950 to 1962. Each sub-sub series documents a main type of activity.
9: Miscellaneous activities: 1950-1962 (alphabetical order) volume 14. This sub-sub- series documents various activities not documented in other sus-sub-series.
10: Miscellaneous activities related to Trade Unions 1951-1962 (alphabetical order), volume 15. This sub-sub-series comprises speeches, course notes, lawyer procedures and reference material.
11: Memoranda written for the Trade Unions, 1954 and 1965 (chronological order) volume 16. This sub-sub-series comprises drafts, correspondence press clippings and reference material.
12: Councils of Arbitration 1953 to 1958 (alphabetical order of companies) vols 17-19. This sub-sub-series comprises the reference material for the work of member of Councils of arbitration and some personal notes.
13: Cité Libre 1950-1968 (alphabétical order), volumes 20-21. this sub-sub-series comprises most of the articles written by P.E. Trudeau, drafts, business records, correspondence with authors and readers.
14: Articles in newspapers and periodicals 1944-1964 (alphabétical order), volume 22.
This sub-sub-series comprises articles, drafts and correspondence with some medias.
15: Books 1951-1967 (chronological order), volumes 23-24. This sub-sub-series documents the work of P.E. Trudeau related to the book: La Grève de l'amiante, to some books edited by Mason Wade and Michael Oliver, to the book Deux innocents en Chine rouge (written with Jacques Hébert ) and to the book Federalism and the French Canadians.
16: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 1951-1961 (ordre chronologique), volume 25, files 1-28. This sub-sub-series comprises drafts, broadcast projects, correspondence and comments on broadcasts related to P. E.. Trudeau.
17: Associations et organisms 1950-1962 (alphabetical order), volume 25, files 25 to 45 and volume 26. This sub-sub-series comprises correspondence, invitations to speak, speeches and drafts.
18: Le Rassemblement and project of a democratic union 1956-1960 (alphabetical order), vol. 27 and vol. 28 files 1-12. This sub-sub-series documents the political activities of Pierre Elliott Trudeau in the movement Le Rassemblement and his project of a political coalition against the Party Union nationale and the Premier of Quebec Province Maurice Duplessis.
19: Political parties 1952-1965 (chronological order), volume 28 files 13-27.
This sub-sub-series documents relations between P.E. Trudeau and the C.C.F.-N.D.P. party.
20: Professor at the Université de Montréal 1962-1965 (alphabetical order), vols 29-33. This sub-sub-series documents the activities of professor and researcher in Law and his involvement in the Royal Commission Laurendeau-Dunton, the Committee on Hate Propaganda and the defence of Jacques Hébert sued for his book about the Coffin Affair (vol. 29, files 1-7) .
21: Political career 1965-1978 (chronological order), volume 34. This sub-sub-series comprises press clippings on electoral campaigns and the leadership campaigns.
22: Reference material 1910-1978 (subjects alphabetical order) , volumes 35-37.
23: Reference material 1934-1978 (nominal alphabetical order), volumes 38. These two sub-sub-series comprises mainly press clippings.
24: Personal documents 1937-1966 (alphabetical order), volume 39. This sub-sub-series comprises personal diaries and agendas.
Sub-series: Correspondence, 1921-1978, volumes 40-54.
This sub-series comprises mostly letters received by Pierre Elliott Trudeau and a few letters and drafts written by him. The sub-series is arranged in two sub-sub series.
1: Correspondence in chronological order: 1935-1978 (alphabetical order of type of documents), volumes 40-42. This sub-sub-series comprises invitations cards, greetings cards and letters of casual correspondents.
2: Correspondence in alphabetical order: 1921-1978 volumes 43-54. This sub-sub series comprises more than 3000 lettrers from more than 300 correspondents: family relatives, friends, colleagues, intellectuals, travels acquaintances, and VIP.