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Series contains the records of the Assistant Gold Commissioner, Lytton, B.C. relating to pre-emptions. Letters inward to Henry Maynard Ball, April 12, 1860 to December 3, 1860, and letters inward to John Boyd, 1870-1871. Includes correspondence, notices, and other papers on pre-emptions at Nicola Lake, Boston Bar, Lytton, Cache Creek, Kamloops and in the vicinity of various Indian Reserves. Also an account of moneys received by the Collector of General Revenue, Similkameen, 1861.

The fonds consists of Simpson's travel diary.

The fonds consists of Sabben's logbook. Profusely illustrated with pencil and watercolour sketches of various Pacific Coast and British harbours, including Victoria harbour and Nanaimo harbour. The view of Victoria harbour includes the Songhees village site.

The fonds consists of minutes, correspondence and receipts created by or about the Vancouver Island Volunteer Rifle Corps.

Index to Acts of the colony of British Columbia, 1859-1861.

This series consists of miscellaneous Governor James Douglas correspondence regarding the selection of site for capital and claim of land near Fort Hope, 1859.

This series contains a sale book of rural lands entitled: October 5th, 1859, Records of lands sold to Sgt. Wm. McColl and Sgt. Major George Cann of the Royal Engineers and a Capt. MacLean, Charles Good and Governor James Douglas (Manson Island lands).

Series contains account records of the Assistant Commissioner of Lands and Works Lytton. Account of H.M. Ball with Lands and Works Department, 1862-1863; list of horses purchased for the Lytton district by the government, 1860; list of permanent stores of the Lytton department, 1859-1860.

Correspondence from American government officials and British embassy in Washington, D.C., concerning diverse matters pertaining to U.S. - British Columbia relations. Includes correspondence from U.S. Military re: Indian population in Alaska (1867) and despatches British minister re: San Juan Island dispute, 1859-1870.

This series contains draft proclamations (1859-1864) and messages to the Legislative Council (1865-66; 1868-1869; 1871).

Incoming correspondence from Colonial Secretary, Treasury, and other government departments. For additional correspondence, see Colonial Correspondence, GR-1372 and Department of Mines records listings.

Correspondence outward (original letter-book copies), 1859-1871. 12 volumes. The series consists of letter book copies of general correspondence, correspondence to Governor and Colonial Secetary, and correspondence to the Treasury. (The series also contains, in vols. 6 and 10, some letters produced by the Provincial Dept. of Lands and Works, 1871-1872).

Volumes 1-6 are general letter books, Volumes 7 to 11 are Governors' letter books and Volume 12 is correspondence outward to Treasury.

Series consists of bench books for civil and criminal cases heard by Matthew Baillie Begbie in the British Columbia Supreme Court of Civil Justice, 1859-1873. The volumes include Begbie's notes of proceedings and may include draft copies of judgements and reasons for judgement. They focus primarily on cases heard on the Cariboo District court circuit. County Court cases may be included as are appeals from the Gold Commissioner's Court. The volumes cover Begbie's term as Justice for the Colony of British Columbia and the unified Colony of British Columbia as well as the early years of his tenure as Chief Justice of British Columbia after the colony became a province of Canada. There is a single entry for a case heard by Henry P.P. Crease at Victoria, 1871.

Volumes 3-8 were originally numbered by Begbie as volumes 1-6.

This series consists of records of the Executive Council, 1859-1913. Records include minutes of Colonial and Provincial Executive Council, ministerial reports, State Books, orders-in-council, registers, and indices (1859-1913), along with petitions, dispatches, and correspondence inward to Lieutenant- Governor in Council (1871-1909).

The Executive Council papers are among the most important of the early provincial government records held by the B.C. Archives. The value of the papers stems from the fact that the Council itself is the most important and influential level of government in the province. It is at the Executive Council level that government policies and regulations are discussed, formulated, and implemented; it is at this level that decisions are made regarding the overall running of the province. During the the period covered by GR-0444, it was also the responsibility of the Executive Council to handle the many contentious issues which affected Dominion-Provincial and Imperial-Provincial relations.

The Executive Council received and considered virtually all of the dispatches sent to the Lieutenant-Governor from Ottawa or London. Most of the petitions and memorials submitted by individuals or groups in the province to the Lieutenant-Governor were considered by the Council, too. In addition, the Executive Council dealt with correspondence from private citizens, as well as reports emanating from government ministries, departments, and agencies. In short, the Executive Council dealt with a myriad of issues - as is evidenced by the volume, range, and diversity of the papers in this record group.

Since the cabinet is the executive arm of the government, it has the authority to enact regulations, as defined by the Regulations Act (RS 1979 c. 361), Regulations, so defined, include rules, orders, proclamations, and bylaws of a legislative nature, made under or by the authority of any act passed by the legislative assembly. Among the regulations are Orders-in-Council which are formally described as "official documents promulgating Government decisions concerned with the day-to-day operation of the Province. Researchers consulting GR-0444 should note that Orders-in-Council are made under the authority of the Lieutenant-Governor or, more precisely, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. The latter implies the Lieutenant Governor acting by and with the advice of, or by and with the advice and consent or in conjunction with, the Executive Council" (Interpretation Act, RS 1979, c.206). Thus, the term "Lieutenant-Governor in Council" occurs frequently with reference to business conducted by what is otherwise known as the Executive Council, or cabinet.

This series consists of a variety of bound volumes related to the administration, management and alienation of land in the New Westminster land district from 1858-1980. The records were primarily created by the provincial Government Agent and the Dominion Land Agent stationed in New Westminster. The records have been arranged into the following subseries:

1. Indexes and maps.

The indexes cover many of the homestead files in GR-4121, by file number and alphabetically by name of the homesteader or licensee. There are two volumes of reference maps for various municipalities, sub-divisions, right-of-ways and townships.

2. BC government land registers : district lot system

Variations of this system of surveying land were used from 1859 onwards. All of these volumes appear to have been created and maintained by the BC government. The registers list the lots in numerical order and record the alienation of land from the Crown by purchase, pre-emption, lease, mineral claims, timber use, etc. Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. There is an alphabetical name index in most volumes. The registers cover range 1 Coast District, range 4 Coast District, Yale Division Yale District (YDYD) country lands, Texada Island District, Point Grey townsite, Powell River townsite, Hastings townsite, and New Westminster District group 1, group 2 and 3 group 3.

3. BC government land registers : township system

Variations of this survey system were used from 1873 to approximately 1912. All of these volumes appear to have been created and maintained by the BC government. The land entered in the majority of the volumes was surveyed and made available for settlement in 1873 and 1874. The registers list land in numerical order by Sections within Townships and record the alienation of land from the Crown by purchase, pre-emption, lease, etc. Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. There is an alphabetical name index in most volumes. The registers cover New Westminster District townships 1 to 50 with some townships missing.

4. Dominion government : general land registers

These volumes were likely created by the Dominion Land Agent. It appears that at least some records were copied from provincial records to determine what land had been alienated before the transfer of the Railway Belt and what Crown land still needed to be managed by the dominion government. The registers, arranged by legal description, indicate the nature of the grant, the number, date of entry, file number, patent approval date, and name of grantee. The registers cover various townships in the New Westminster District and various lots throughout the Hope district, Yale district, Kamloops district, town of Hope, town of Yale, and Boston Bar.

5. Lease registers

These volumes were created in the New Westminster government agent's office. They record leases for a variety of purposes including: quarry, campsite, booming ground, agriculture, foreshore, forestry, and grazing. Many volumes are indexed and may include file numbers linking to GR-4121.

6. Pre-emption records

These records were created by the BC government. Pre-emption was a system of obtaining title to unsurveyed land (similar to the Dominion "homesteading" system) which occurred until 1970. Individuals could purchase land which had not been fully surveyed. However, grants to these lands were not issued until the applicant had made specified improvements, passed inspections, satisfied residency requirements, and had the lands fully surveyed. Records include certificates of improvement for the Vancouver Divisions of the New Westminster District and Coast District; certificates of pre-emption for the New Westminster District and Vancouver Division; and registers of pre-emption records.

7. Land purchase records

These records were created by the BC government. Once land was surveyed, it could be purchased outright instead of being pre-empted. These records include certificates of purchase for the New Westminster District.

8. Mining records

The majority of these records were created by BC Government Agents, Gold Commissioners or Mining Recorders. Records include mineral claim minute books, records of conveyances, bills of sale, applications for mineral lands and petroleum and natural gas leases, and coal applications. Records are from the New Westminster District, Hope and Yale. Most volumes include an alphabetical index and some may include references to file numbers in GR-4121.

9. Range and timber records

These records were created by the dominion and BC governments. Records include range leases, grazing leases and information on timber berths.

10. Water licence applications

These records are water licence applications created by the BC government.

11. Cancellation records

Cancellation registers created by the BC and Dominion governments. Some volumes include alphabetical indexes and have file numbers related to GR-4121.

12. Financial records

Various financial records created by the Dominion government and BC Government Agents. Records include Dominion crown timber financial statements; form J (cash books) created by Government Agents documenting their expenses and fee collection, such as the sale of marriage licences; and a land revenue return of payments from the central Victoria land office.

13. Other land administration records

Includes dominion created applications for patents and homestead inspectors instructions, as well as BC Government Agent books recording lands resumed under Soldier’s Homestead Act, Crown granted mineral claims which have reverted to the Crown for non-payment of taxes, and surveyed lands open for use.

This series consists of financial ledgers used by the Colony of Vancouver Island treasury from 1859-1865. Volume 1 covers 1859-1861. Volume 2 covers 1862-1865.

Ledger books are financial records in which each transaction is entered under a particular account or subject as a debit or a credit. The information may have been copied from a related daybook or journal before being sorted and copied into the ledger. Accounts can include anything that is a source of government income or expenditure, such as: salaries, rent, licences, postage, lighthouses, military, mining fees, roads, etc. Account names may be indexed.

Information may be entered under the following headings: date, related journal page, description of the transaction, and the amount. Debit transactions are recorded on the left side of a folio and credits on the right side.

This series consists of one financial waste book volume used by the Colony of Vancouver Island treasury from 1859-1860. Waste books are rough account book in which transactions are recorded as they occur. Waste book entries are often transferred to day books prior to summary in journals and ledgers. These transactions are entered chronologically by date and are arranged under various accounts. Information may be entered under the following headings: date, related journal page, head or service or a description of the transaction, amount and total.

This series consists of records of the Lillooet Provincial Police Force. Records include a charge book, signed by J.R. Flynn, constable (5 p.); alphabetical lists of certificates of work, with fees paid, 1896-1898 (0.5 cm); and spirit licences, 1862 (1 p.)

The fonds consists of journal, ledger, and notebook of George Schmidt.

The fonds consists of fur trade returns from the Mackenzie River District, correspondence, and an account book to customers regarding orders, bills and hiring contracts. [Add.Mss 679 is also available on microfilm.]

The fonds consists of correspondence of Wilkinson with family and friends in Ontario.

This series contains certificates of title of country lands in B.C. (2 vols.) Volume 1 contains nos. 1-35 (1860-1861). Volume 2 contains nos. 36-39 (1861). The records are counterfoil books containing name of purchaser, acreage and description of lands.

This series contains records relating to pre-emptions in the Cariboo, Lillooet, Lytton and Kootenay Districts recorded by various Gold Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of Lands and Works. The records consist of correspondence, notices of claim, sketches and affidavits and pertains largely to records in the vicinities of Quesnel, Alexandria, Williams Lake, Lytton and Cache Creek. The series also includes a detailed account of town lot sales at Quesnellemouth held on 13 October 1863 as well as an application for wages due, correspondence on various land disputes, several water records, and proposed leases of government reserves.

The fonds consists of business and personal correspondence, documents, and photographs created by or relating to the Smith family of Victoria between 1860-1932. Included in this fonds are contracts, receipts (MS-2703), a journal of 1863-1864 bakery deliveries (E/B/Sm6), and photographs of the M.R. Smith & Co. bakery (MS-3458), founded by M.R. Smith; a scrapbook created by Selina Smith between 1895 and 1932 of correspondence, calling cards, and documents pertaining to her music students (MS-1992) as well as photographs of Selina and her students (MS-3458); Hamilton Smith’s business papers for M.R. Smith & Co. as well as reports, offer of lots for sale (MS-2703), and photographs of the Smith family businesses, employees, friends, homes, and places in Victoria (MS-3458); and photographs of Victoria taken ca. 1895 by Garrett Smith (MS-3459). Also includes a one-page letter from Philip R. Smith to his father, William Smith in 1860 (E/B/Sm6).

The fonds consists of correspondence, legal documents, certificates, assessment notices and sketches.

The fonds consists of correspondence and letterbooks of R.P. Rithet, Elizabeth (Munro) Rithet, John Rithet, W.J. Munro, 1868-1915; notebooks and papers of various members of the Rithet family; ledgers and cashbooks of Welch, Rithet and Company, 1863-1879 with sundry time sheets, 1944; indentures, 1860-1897; sealing captains' assignments with R.P. Rithet and Company concerning indebtedness and bills of sale of various schooners.

Also includes various paintings and drawings.

The series consists of records created by the Government Agent and the Gold Commissioner of the Cariboo District, between 1860 and 1938. It includes correspondence inward and outward; court, mining, land, financial and administrative records.

This series consists of Lillooet Land District lot registers for lots 1-3000. The earliest record was entered in 1860 and all volumes were superseded by 1943 (i.e. no further entries were made after 1943).

The registers list lots in numerical order and record the alienation of land from the Crown (by purchase, pre-emption, lease, etc.). Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. There is an alphabetical name index in each volume.

This series consist of voters lists and poll books for the Vancouver Island House of Assembly elections, 1860-1866. Includes electoral districts of Nanaimo (1865), Esquimalt (1865), Victoria District and Victoria Town (1865, 1866) and Sooke (1866).

The series consists of photographs removed from the Craigflower Schoolhouse. The photographs were most likely used for display purposes and several of the prints are mounted on cardstock with explanatory captions. The majority of the photographs are contemporary to their time of creation (predominantly late 19th century), however several of the photographs also appear to be more modern copy prints, some of which were perhaps originally copied from BC Archives holdings.

The photographs display people and places associated with the history of Craigflower Schoolhouse.