Series GR-3436 - Dept. of the Provincial Secretary miscellaneous films and videos

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Dept. of the Provincial Secretary miscellaneous films and videos

General material designation

  • moving images

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Title notes

  • Source of title proper: Title based on the content of the series.

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Series

Reference code

GR-3436

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Edition statement of responsibility

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1925; [ca. 1965]-1977 (Creation)
    Creator
    British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Physical description area

Physical description

7 film reels and 2 videocassettes

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1872-1976)

Biographical history

The Dept. of the Provincial Secretary was established in 1872. Prior to that, the origins of this department was in the offices of the Colonial Secretaries for the Colony of Vancouver Island (1863-1866), the Colony of British Columbia (1864-1866) and the united colony of British Columbia (1866-1871). When British Columbia joined confederation in 1871, the name Colonial Secretary remained in place until April 1872 when a Provincial Secretary was named to assume the duties and functions (SBC 1872, c. 15).

The mandate of the Provincial Secretary included all the powers, duties and functions held by provincial secretaries and registrars in other provinces of the Dominion of Canada. They included being the keeper of the Great Seal of the Province, with the authority to issue letters patent and commissions, and being the keeper of all registers and archives of the province and previous governments of the province. As with other departments, it was also the duty of the Provincial Secretary to make an annual report to the Lieutenant-Governor. The first annual report was produced in 1872.

At various times, different agencies have been under the direction of the Provincial Secretary such as treasury and audit branches, Bureau of Mines, gold commissioners, Returned Soldiers’ Commission, Provincial Library and Archives, Provincial Board of Health, Vital Statistics, Provincial Home, and others. In most instances these agencies were later transferred to the control of new ministries established to administer the specific function or functions.

At various times and for varying periods, the Provincial Secretary was responsible for industrial schools, mothers’ pensions, administration of the Infants’ Act, protection of historic sites, and arbitration of labour disputes. In 1947, the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary administered the Civil Service Commission, Government Printing Bureau, Superannuation Commission, mental hospitals, institution farms, homes for the aged, inspector of hospitals, and the Elections Act.

In 1976, with the addition of travel and tourism functions from the Dept. of Recreation and Travel Industry, the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary was renamed the Ministry of the Provincial Secretary and Travel Industry (OIC 3199/76).

Custodial history

Scope and content

The series consists of miscellaneous films (some original footage and some composite prints) and videocassettes about British Columbia. It includes films about the BC Pavilion in Osaka (1970), British Columbia House in San Francisco (ca. 1965) as well as the opening of the 1971 BC International Trade fair, a film about lumbering in British Columbia (1925) and Crown Zellerbach lumber activities (1966) and a reel from ca. 1970 about sailing activities.

The series also includes two video copies of BBC films, one about lumbering activities and one about a search and rescue operation.

The photographs and at least some of the films were formerly held by British Columbia House in San Francisco. Some of the films are composite prints; F1984:10/002 appears to be original footage.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

This material was transferred to the BC Archives in 1984 by George Geddes, the retiring Executive Director of the Ministry of the Provincial Secretary.

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Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

No access restrictions apply.
Conservation restriction: original film elements are in cold storage and are inaccessible, use reference copies where available.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

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General note

Archives code(s): Collection description was previously numbered AAAA8064.; Series was previously listed as "George Geddes collection" under PR-2233.

General note

Accession number(s): F1984:10; V1984:14; 198504-005

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