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Victoria (B.C.)
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Election records from Victoria

  • GR-1667
  • Series
  • 1871-1872

This series consists of poll-books, voters' lists, and correspondence relating to two landmark elections in British Columbia: the election of 1871 of representatives to the provincial legislature, and the election of 1872, called to elect provincial members to the Dominion House of Commons - respectively the first provincial election and the first federal election held in B.C. These records document B.C.'s last "open voting" elections (i.e. a secret ballot was not used). Compiled by A.F. Pemberton, Chief Returning Officer for Victoria, the records pertain to Victoria City, Victoria District, Esquimalt and Metchosin.

The election of 1871 was held in various parts of the province between October and December. It was conducted in accordance with the Colonial Election Regulation Act [34 Vic., No. 13, a statute which affirmed the practice of open voting (as opposed to the secret ballot). Thus, the poll books in this collection show the names of electors and the candidates for whom each elector voted. Voter's qualifications were determined by the colonial Qualification and Registration of Voters' Act [34 Vic., No. 156]. To qualify for the franchise, a voter had to be male, a loyal British subject, over twenty-one years of age, literate (at least able to write his name), and a resident in B.C. for no less than six months. In addition, qualified electors had to meet one of the following criteria: occupy premises with an annual rent of $40 or more; own freehold property having an assessed value of at least $250; have a pre-emption claim of 100 acres or more; possess a free-miners' license.

The Dominion election of 1872 was held under the authority of two federal statutes: the Interim Parliamentary Election Act of 1871 [34 Vic., c.20] and the Act to Re-adjust the Representation in the House of Commons, 1872 [35 Vic., c.13]. The first statute made provisions for holding a federal election in B.C.; the second confirmed the number of MPs to be elected from B.C. [6] and established federal electoral boundaries. 2 MPs were elected from the district of Victoria; 1 MP from the district of Vancouver (i.e. Vancouver Island north of Victoria and adjacent to the Gulf Islands); 1 MP for each of the districts of New Westminster, Yale, and Cariboo. Section 5 of the Interim Parliamentary Elections Act declared that the laws already in force in B.C. would apply to the election of 1872. Accordingly, polling for the province's first federal election was carried out under colonial legislation noted above. The Dominion election was also carried out in accordance with B.C.'s Corrupt Practices Prevention Act [34 Vic., No. 158], a colonial statute which stipulated that candidates had to declare all expenses incurred during their campaign. Hence the documents in Box 1, files 6 & 7 of this collection.

The records in GR-1667 relate solely to the Victoria electoral district. For elections to the provincial legislature, the riding included areas within the city's limits. Federally, however, the electoral district of Victoria embraced the City of Victoria and adjacent areas of Saanich (Victoria District), Esquimalt and Metchosin. A.F. Pemberton was the district's chief Returning Officer in both elections. In the provincial election -- held on 16 October 1871 -- Pemberton established the district polling station at the Police Barracks in Bastion Square. In the Dominion election -- held on 2 September 1872 -- he established six polling stations. The polls were open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Three candidates contested the two Victoria seats: Amor DeCosmos, Henry Nathan and Robert Beavan. DeCosmos, and Nathan were elected. The results of the election, and returns from each of the polling stations, were published in the Victoria Daily Colonist (3 Sep 1872).

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Mrs. Richard Woods

The item is a b&w cabinet card portrait of Mrs. Richard Woods (Anne Woods), mounted on a Spencer & Hastings card. "S.A. Spencer, return to" is written on the back of the photograph. The original photograph may be have been taken by Stephen Spencer as early as 1861 and reprinted at some point in the 1880's by Spencer & Hastings.

Records relating to baptisms, marriages and burials

The series consists of copies of registers of baptisms, marriages and burials kept at Fort Vancouver, Fort Victoria, Fort Langley, and the Parish of Victoria. The original dates of the records are 1836 to 1886 while the photocopies and transcripts were probably made around 1950.

The first mission of the Church of England on the northwest coast of North America was established by Rev. Herbert Beaver when he arrived at Fort Vancouver, the Pacific Headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company, in May 1837. With the establishment of Fort Victoria, the Hudson's Bay Company employed Rev. Robert John Staines to replace Rev. Beaver who had resigned his Fort Vancouver post in 1838. Staines arrived in 1849 and initiated construction of Victoria's District Church in 1853. Unhappy with the company's land policies, Staines sailed for England in 1854 carrying the grievances of other settlers. His ship foundered and Staines perished. His replacement was Edward Cridge who arrived at Fort Victoria on 1 April 1855. With the issuance of an ordinance by Governor Douglas "establishing regulations for the arrangement of the affairs of the Colonial Church" Cridge could hold his first regular services in August 1856. An endowment of £25,000 from Baroness Burdett-Coutts provided for the establishment of the Diocese of British Columbia and on 12 January 1859 Letters Patent were issued creating a Bishopric and appointing Rev. George Hills as Bishop. His church was consecrated on 7 December 1865 and Edward Cridge was appointed Dean. In September 1869 the Cathedral was destroyed by fire to be replaced by a second wooden structure consecrated on 5 December 1872. This was replaced with the existing stone cathedral consecrated 28 September 1929.

Anglican Church of Canada (Diocese of British Columbia)

Burials in the Parish of Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, Vancouver Island

The file is a typescript copy of extracted entries of burials in the Parish of Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria. The entries are arranged by original page number (12 to 83) and follow directly on from the register in folder 6 with entries 89 to 664.

The information collected in the register includes the register number, name and abode of the person being buried, the date of burial, the age of the deceased and notes about who performed the ceremony.

Christ Church Cathedral Parish register marriages

The file is a typescript copy of extracted entries of marriages solemnized in the Parish of Christ Church in Victoria. The entries are arranged by original page number (20 to 69) and follow directly on from the register in folder 3 (and overlaps slightly with the last entries in folder 4).

The information collected in the register includes the register page number, place and date of marriage, names of the parties being married, the name of the person solemnizing the marriage and the names of witness, and whether the marriage was authorized by banns or license.

Register of Burials at Fort Vancouver, River Columbia, Northwest Coast of America

The file is a photostat copy of a pre-printed British register of burials, used to record burials at Fort Vancouver, 1837-1838 and Fort Victoria or Victoria, 1849-1859. The volume is 11 pages and contains 88 numbered entries. Pages 1-3 record burials at Fort Vancouver and pages 4-11 record burials at Fort Victoria or Victoria.

The information collected in the register includes the register number, name and abode of the person being buried, the date of burial, the age of the deceased and notes about who performed the ceremony.

Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of Victoria, Vancouver Island

The file consists of a typescript extract or table (source unknown) of baptisms solemnized in the Parish of Victoria between 1859 and 1886. The file is number from p. 42-179, presumably following on from the previous register. Information collected includes the date of baptism, name of child, parent's names, abode, quality, trade or profession and by whom the ceremony was performed.

Clara Cameron

The item is a b&w photograph mounted on a "Paris panel" cabinet card. The photograph is a studio portrait of Clara Cameron with a guitar, taken by John Savannah. Notes on the back of the photograph say that she was the daughter of Daniel Cameron and was married to James Pottinger.

Royal visit scenes VI

The item is a reel of film out-takes. "Arrival of 'Princess Marguerite' off Victoria, carrying King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Fireworks. Good shot of B.C. Provincial Police lined up on their horses. Small boats milling about under Lion's Gate Bridge. Stern of the 'Prince Robert' at wharf. Soldiers in scarlets and busbies parade on wharf. King and Queen arrive, inspect Guard and leave aboard the 'Prince Robert'. In the sky, words read: "Will ye no come back again?" Three planes fly in formation overhead. King and Queen drive through stone gates. Girls perform Maypole dance. Kids with Union Jack wave and cheer. Vets look on. Banner over arch: 'Welcome to the Municipality of Maple Ridge.' Another banner: 'Coquitlam welcomes Our King and Queen.' More banners. Train entering Vancouver. Parliament Buildings, Empress Hotel and Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, 'Prince Robert' and two destroyers sail under the Lion's Gate Bridge. This reel does not tell a coherent story but is rather a collection of various scenes around Vancouver and Victoria in no particular order." (Colin Browne)

Royal visit scenes V

The item is a reel of film footage. "Fifth of five reels of B.C. Forest Service out-footage and duplicates from their filming of the Royal Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Vancouver and Victoria in May 1939. Scenes include: Motorcade to the front steps of the Parliament Buildings, Victoria. Bunting on Victoria City Hall. Bunting and flags in Oak Bay. Black cars in clogged street, bunting on buildings, one says "C.C. Brown Motors" -- Esquimalt? Pipe band marches down crowded street. In Vancouver, a series of welcoming banners stretched across the streets from "The Sons and Daughters of England", "Israel's Throne", "Sons of Norway", "Municipality of Maple Ridge" and "Port Coquitlam". At Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, the King and Queen leave the reviewing stand with Premier Pattullo and other VIPs. The King inspects the Guard of Honour. Sailors march past. Vets march through crowds. Men roll up the red carpet after the King and Queen have departed. New scenes, possibly at Oakalla: B.C. Provincial Police grooming and saddling their horses. BCPP insignia on saddle blanket. BCPP sign on building. Parade of B.C. Provincial policemen, mounted, leaving their stables and riding past. Large squad of B.C. Provincial policemen ride toward camera. (Oakalla was the mainland HQ for the mounted troop of the BCPP.)" (Colin Browne)

Royal visit scenes IV

The item is a reel of film footage. "Fourth reel of duplications and out-footage from the B.C. Forest Service's documentation of the Royal Visit of 1939. Scenes include: Huge parade of veterans with crowds near Pattullo Bridge in New Westminster, a building across the street called "Pacific Motors". [Steamship] "Prince Robert" leaving Victoria. "Will ye no come back again" captioned across the sky. People on the breakwater, Victoria, watching the ship carry the Royal couple back to Vancouver. Planes fly over Lion's Gate Bridge, Vancouver. Children dance around the maypole to honour the King and Queen. Crowds of people. Parade of veterans. King and Queen, preceded and followed by many cars, drive around a curve in the road. A ceremonial Welcome arch in Saanich. A sign reading "Saanich School Children", kids waving flags. King and Queen drive over a wooden bridge under Saanich arch, throngs of people cheering and waving flags. Lunch at a picnic table for a family. Street in Esquimalt (?) with cars and buildings decorated. Highland band marches past." (Colin Browne)

Royal visit scenes II

The item is a reel of film footage. "The second of five reels of Royal Visit shot by the B.C. Forest Service. Scenes include: A shed with Union Jacks strung along clothesline. Parliament Buildings decorated. Decorated hedges and fence. Welcome sign on the old Victoria Post office. Belmont Building decorated, Victoria. Streetcars, bicycles, cars, all stores decorated -- excellent shots of busy Victoria streets just prior to arrival of King and Queen. Ships decorated in Inner Harbour, Victoria. [Long shot of] Government House. [Medium shot of] Union Jack rippling in the wind. Royal motorcade descends Government Street then passes by Empress Hotel. Decorated ships in Victoria's Inner Harbour. [Long shot of] Belmont Building and Government Street, Victoria, with crowds, from the Parliament Buildings. Pan up Parliament Buildings from front steps. Crowds and cedar arches in Beacon Hill Park. Naval band. Children dancing in Beacon Hill Park. King and Queen arriving at Beacon Hill Park, driving through cedar arches. Rolling up the red carpet on the reviewing stand, after the King and Queen have left, Beacon Hill Park, Victoria." (Colin Browne)

Royal visit scenes I

The item is a reel of film footage. "There exist five reels of different lengths containing miscellaneous and often duplicated shots of the Royal Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Vancouver and Victoria in May of 1939, photographed by the B.C. Forest Service. This reel contains: King and Queen passing in open car. Fleet of small sports cars driving by. A huge paper crown. Billboard of the King and Queen reading WELCOME. Garden at the Empress Hotel, Victoria. Tumultuous parade down Government Street, Victoria. Masts of CPR ferry "Princess Marguerite" flying pennants, entering harbour, Victoria. Soldiers marching up to Parliament Buildings, Victoria. King arrives and inspects troops. King begins to ascend red carpet onto steps of Parliament Buildings. Beacon Hill Park, decorated evergreen archways, crowds in stands, Naval [close-up] of Queen and King arriving at Beacon Hill Park. Naval band marching past. King and Queen arrive at reviewing stand." (Colin Browne)

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