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Only top-level descriptions British Columbia. Surveys Branch Photographic surveying
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Photo-topographical images

  • GR-3478
  • Series
  • 1901-1976

The series consists of photographic prints generated by surveying parties operating in various parts of British Columbia between 1901 and 1976. The photographs were usually taken from the summits of hills and mountains and depict surrounding landscape. These survey parties used photographs as a means of collecting data for topographical mapping and, in many cases, for vertical control of aerial survey photographs. The topographical mapping was done by the Surveys Branch, Topographic Division and Surveys and Mapping Branch.

The series is arranged chronologically, by survey party and geographical area. There is a photo index for each survey party, located alongside the photographs of each survey that lists the survey stations where the photographs were taken. The photographs are stored in numbered files that correspond with the survey station number from the index.

The photographs often have various notations, most of which list the survey station, altitude, and the negative number. These negative numbers consists of three parts, or in some cases four parts. These include the following combinations: number/box/year or number/box/surveyor’s initials/year.

British Columbia. Surveys and Mapping Branch

Papers on photo-topographical surveys

  • GR-0370
  • Series
  • [1932?]

This series consists of copies of two documents. The first is a holograph draft and typescript of paper by Alan J. Campbell, B.C.L.S., entitled "Photo-topographical control for vertical aerial photographs as used by British Columbia topographical surveys." The second is a copy of letter, 1932, from Campbell to the Surveyor General concerning photo-topographical surveys on Vancouver island [published in Sessional Papers, 1932, vol. 2, pp. 26-27].

British Columbia. Surveys Branch

Surveys Branch photo-topographical negatives

  • GR-3427
  • Series
  • 1914-1929

The series consists of glass plate photographic negatives generated by the Surveys Branch's topographical surveying parties operating in various parts of British Columbia between 1914 and 1929. These survey parties used photographs as a means of collecting data for topographical mapping done by the Geographic Division of the branch. The photographs were usually taken from the summits of hills and mountains and depict surrounding landscape.

The series is arranged into 31 sub-series, each comprised of the photographs generated by one survey party. Within each sub-series, the survey party's arrangement and original numbering of items has been retained. This arrangement and numbering is based on the original packaging of the photographs into small boxes of plates. The name of the surveyor heading each party is noted in the description of each individual sub-series.

British Columbia. Surveys Branch