Showing 248 results

The series consists of correspondence inward (with responses) to the director, assistant director, curators, and other personnel of the Provincial Museum. The correspondence is with collectors, amateur and professional naturalists, museum officials, and federal and provincial government departments and agencies and was created between 1897 and 1970.

The files include correspondence with the museum's first three directors (called "Curators" prior to 1913): John Fannin (1886-1904), Francis Kermode (1904-1940), and G. Clifford Carl (1940-1969). However, very little of the correspondence generated during Fannin's tenure has survived, while most of the Kermode files date from the post-1918 period.

The series also includes index cards created between 1925 and 1937 which records index details about letters in A-Z, and letters out, A-R.

The series consists of records created by the Superintendent of Provincial Police between 1917 and 1929. The records relate to the Victoria district and "A" division and contain files relating to various acts including the Sheep Protection Act and the Poll Tax Act from 1917 to 1921; vouchers and correspondence re vouchers from 1917 to 1925; and vouchers and miscellaneous letters from 1928 to 1929.

Victoria Supreme Court probate/estate files, 1950-2007. See GR-1417 for index to files 761/1963 to 1606/1981.

NOTE: Microfilming was ongoing for many years so the date ranges for microfilm and originals given above may not be current.

File names are provided for 67/1950 to 760/1963. An index for 1963-1981 is available on microfilm (see GR-1417). This index can be found on Reels B11792 - B11794. If a will number is provided, it can be used to locate a copy of the will in GR-2009.

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).

The record consists of a bound volume guestbook created for the open house at the Parliament buildings in Victoria, B.C. to mark the swearing-in of Premier Mike Harcourt and the executive council on November 5, 1991. Visitors to the event signed the guestbook with their names, addresses and the occasional comment.

These records of the office of the Speaker contain correspondence of the Speaker and his or her staff, Clerk of the House and Sergeant at Arms, and records relating to the routine operations of the house including opening ceremonies, sessional staff, clergy, dining room, school visits, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, as well as decisions of the Speaker. The earliest dates, 1874-1904, refer to a small number of returns to the house.

Letter to P. Walker from B. Blanchard, Sooke, B.C., June 3, 1915 (1/15) asking permission to keep a fawn he has found.

This series consists of correspondence, petitions, accounts, statements of population, and reports relating to land of Indigenous peoples in British Columbia from the Department of the Provincial Secretary.

The series consists of a report entitled "Specifications for B.C. Archives & Museum, Victoria, B.C. Phase 4." Vol. 2 of 6.

The series consists of several different indexes relating to bankruptcy in Victoria and across the country. The records were maintained in the Victoria Supreme Court, and although they generally relate to records created in the 1960s to 1990s, at least one volume dates to the 1920s and 1930s. Early indexes are arranged alphabetically by the surname of the bankrupt individual. Later indexes, particularly those dealing with the late 1980s, are divided first by year and then arranged alphabetically. The 1989 to 1990 index provides the name of the individual, the name of the trustee, and a file number. All file numbers appear to refer to cause book entries, which give a more detailed account of proceedings in the case.

The series also consists of a subseries of records maintained by the Victoria Supreme Court that relate to bankruptcy cases heard outside of Victoria. Many of these volumes index entries in the Canada Gazette, and list individuals in Ontario and across the country. There are also several volumes that index bankruptcies across the province, and include entries from places such as Barriere, Penticton, and Rossland.

The series consists of three volumes of Victoria Gaol Warden's diaries dated 1893, 1896 and 1899.

Cash book (indexed).

This series consists of property tax assessment rolls and other records related to real estate or land tax in Victoria and the surrounding area. The records range in date from 1865-1886. The records may have been created by local government tax Assessors and Collectors, or the Surveyor of Taxes. Property tax assessment rolls are administered according to the Taxation Act and the Public Schools Act for the collection of real property taxes, income taxes, school taxes etc. Records record the name of the property owner, date, a description of the property and its value. Some records include additional information or also document the collection of fees related to trade licences, liquor licences, fire insurance companies, etc.

The fonds consists of the records of Herbert Anscomb, who had one of the longest and most important political careers in the history of British Columbia. They document his activities as Reeve of Oak Bay, B.C., Mayor of Victoria, opposition member in the B.C. legislative assembly, cabinet minister in the B.C. government in numerous portfolios, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of British Columbia, and member of the federal Royal Commission on Transportation from 1959 to 1962. Predominantly, the records relate to his political career which began with his election to Oak Bay council in 1924 and ended with his defeat in the provincial election of 1952. The fonds also consists of a relatively small number of records concerning his personal life, family, and his involvement in the wine and brewing industry.

The documentary forms most significant in number include correspondence, photographs, and speeches (in public, in the legislature, and for radio broadcast). In smaller numbers the documentary forms include handwritten notes which were passed from MLAs to Anscomb during sittings in the legislature, magazine articles, and political campaign literature such as brochures, posters and pamphlets. The fonds also includes collected editorial cartoons, caricature drawings and other art work, certificates, reports, guest and visitors books, and ephemera.

The records reflect a wide range of subjects; these include: government, politics and economic policy during the depression and World War II, the province’s coalition government, infrastructure building, political competition against the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF party), the single transferable vote electoral system, the process of appointment to government jobs, hospital insurance, and the history of the Conservative Party in B.C. and its relationship with the federal party.

The fonds consists of six series, as follows:
• Provincial political records
• Municipal political records
• Personal records
• Royal Commission on Transportation records
• Photograph album
• Newspaper clippings scrapbooks

Records of particular note include detailed diaries which Anscomb kept as Minister of Mines, Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Public Works, and Minister of Municipal Affairs in the early to mid-1940s. The fonds also consists of a rich collection of photographs which document in particular his career as mayor of Victoria and as a B.C. government cabinet minister.

The fonds also consists of a series of 12 volumes of newspaper clippings dating from 1924 to 1978. These scrapbooks cover Anscomb’s entire political career; subjects include all aspects of government and politics in Oak Bay, Victoria and the province of B.C., and not just articles pertaining to Anscomb himself. The fonds includes a manuscript of an unpublished autobiography Anscomb began in 1953.

Where possible the archivist has arranged records chronologically. Where files clearly had been used together as a group by their creator, that order was maintained.

Registers of judgement for debtor and creditor in small debts cases.

Record books, 1898-1950.

Indexes to cases heard by the Court of Appeal at Victoria, n.d. - 1919. Vol. 1: n.d.; vol. 2: 1917-1919.

The series consists of cause books and case record cards for divorces at the Victoria Supreme Court between 1968 and 1989. Cause books and case records cards can be used to find a volume and folio number, which can then be used to obtain a copy of the final divorce order. Cause books and case record cards are also often the only source of information for divorce cases that were dropped and never completed, as no final order would have been granted, and case files would have been destroyed.

Cause books were generally used until the mid 1970s. They were replaced by case cards, which were used until the courts turned to digital systems in the 1990s. The records are organized by case file number and provide a list of actions in a case.

The fonds consists of photographs of Frank Boucher's family, family vacations and photos of Victoria, 1924-1948. Includes photos of victory parades, VE and VJ day celebrations in Victoria, 1945. Fonds also includes a copy of Boucher's reminiscences, written ca. 1973.

The fonds consists of account books of the Thoburn Grocery.

The fonds consists of Scholes' photographs of Victoria buildings and panoramas and three framed of the Victoria Short Wave Club. The fonds also includes Scholes' membership card for the Victoria and Island Gliding and Soaring Club from ca. 1943 as well as 15 black and white photographic prints and the matching 15 black and white negatives showing the construction of gliders at Lansdowne Field, 1943 to 1944.

The series consists of 214 photographs, mostly glass lantern slides and glass negatives, created or collected by the Dept. of Agriculture sometime between 1900 and 1915.

The lantern slides contain images of fruit trees, orchards, farms, packing boxes, greenhouses, crops and other agricultural activity. A few have descriptive labels which indicate that they were taken in Victoria, Kelowna, Nanaimo and Summerland, and some have photographers identified (D.J. Dwyer, J. Howard A. Chapman and Edgar Fleming). These photographs may have been used for a variety of purposes including public lectures and as illustrations for reports. Some of the slides have been hand coloured. These slides are from accession 198012-018.

The glass negatives from this accession consist of two files. The first file contains 13 negatives identified as being from Atkinson's mushrooms; images of mushrooms and fungi from book on same and appear to have been photographed directly from George F. Atkinson's 1901 books called "Studies of American Fungi". The second file consists of 24 negatives identified as Morris Middleton pruning lecture. Middleton was an assistant horticulturalist for the Dept. of Agriculture and gave pruning workshops and lectures.

The 27 glass negatives from accession 198410-027 show farms and farm buildings, fruit and berry growing as well as fruit packing and pruning classes in Creston, B.C. in 1914 (F.B. Turner photographer) and photos of apple growing medals presented to the Government of British Columbia in 1909.

The fonds consists of photographs created by Gus A. Maves in his commercial business between ca. 1920 and 1944. At this time Maves, and his wife Margaret, lived in Oak Bay, near Victoria. Maves created most of the negatives using 8 x 10 nitrate film and these were numbered and entered into his index books by number and by subject. He also created two separately numbered negatives series for negative sizes 4 x 5 and 5 x 7. Many of these negatives were copies of the 8 x 10 negatives and were used to create postcards and other commercial products. A selection of copy negatives masked and titled for printing cards, calendars and other commercial products exist within the fonds. Maves created photographic prints and proofs from most of his negatives and arranged many of them in either number or subject order in four albums. These albums, which often include the negative number and caption under the print, may have been used as order or sample books for his commercial business. There are also a considerable number of loose photographs with many duplicates including some glass plate negatives, lantern slides, transparencies, prints and artworks hand coloured by Margaret Maves. The main subject of the photographs are landscapes, particularly Butchart Gardens, Beacon Hill Park, Oak Bay Golf Club and mountain and ocean scenic shots; still life photos of fruit, vegetables and flowers, agricultural and industrial photographs and interior and exterior photographs of homes. Most of the photographs were taken in the Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island area but there are also some photographs taken in the Okanagan. The fonds also includes textual records including three indexes to the 8 x 10 negatives (two arranged by number and one by subject), an order book, publications featuring artwork by Gus and Margaret Maves, miscellaneous advertising signs, two wood printing frames, a stand for darkroom work and a “No parking” stand with coloured transparency of still life with fruit.

The fonds consists of minutes, correspondence, annual reports, bulletins, cashbooks, financial records, administrative records, subject files, reports on various projects and photographs of La Societe Francophone de Victoria. The fonds includes records of Le Club Canadien-Francais de Victoria and Le Club Canadien-Francais de la Columbie-britannique. It also includes 22 French-language cable television programs produced by Societe members under the series title Le Club Canadien-Francais.

This series contains voters' lists for the Colony of Vancouver Island, 1862 and 1866. The series also includes poll books for Saltspring Island and Chemainus District (1863), for Victoria District (1863) and Victoria City (1863-1866). This unit should be used in conjunction with GR-0484 [Voters' lists, 1865-1866] and GR-1714 [Voters' lists and poll books, 1856-1866].

The collection consists of audio and videotaped oral history interviews with former students and teachers pertaining to the history of Central Junior Secondary School in Victoria, B.C.

The fonds consists of a statement and school files of Angela College.

The fonds consists of correspondence inward (1900-1908), business records and logbooks, and annual reports of the Victoria Sealing Company. Fonds includes the minute book (1889-1900) of the B.C. Sealing and Fishing Association.

The fonds consists of journals of R.P. Rithet and Company.