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British Columbia. Surveys Branch
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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

Index of air photo flights

  • GR-3570
  • Series
  • [197-?]

Series consists of an index to aerial survey photographs taken by the BC Government’s Survey Branch. The maps index all regions of British Columbia. The Water Investigations Branch used this index to assist them with their mapping and water management.

The maps are arranged by the NTS number. Each map contains the flight lines and film rolls. Each map is 62 X 98 cm and have a scale of 1 inch to ¼ mile.

British Columbia. Water Investigations Branch

Daniel Lawrence McMullan fonds

  • PR-2337
  • Fonds
  • 1928-1946

The fonds consists of three photograph albums created by Donald Lawrence McMullan between 1928 and 1946. The photographs document his work on forest survey teams for both the provincial and federal governments, as well as surveys conducted by logging and railroad companies.

The first two albums contain photographs from several survey jobs, arranged chronologically. They are divided into sections with an introductory page and a cartographic drawing showing where the particular survey took place. The photographs are usually dated with captions and are as follows:
Album 1 (1928-1933)
Amiskwi and Beaverfoot survey, 1928, Forest Service, Dept. of the Interior, Canada
P.G.E. resources survey, 1929, Forest Resources Branch, British Columbia
Preliminary survey of a proposed logging railroad, 1930, Bloedel, Stewart & Welch Ltd. logging company
Elk Forest survey, 1930, British Columbia Forest Service
North Kamloops Survey, 1931, British Columbia Survey Branch
Railway belt survey, 1932, British Columbia Forest Service
Railroad logging operation, 1933, Industrial Timber Mills Ltd.
Album 2 (1934-1939):
Surveys for logging railroads, 1934-1935, UBO Industrial Timber Mills Ltd.
Kettle Forest Survey, 1935, British Columbia Forest Service
E&N Survey, 1936-1937
Harrison Survey, 1939

The third album, created between 1940 and 1946, contains photographs from McMullan's later career and show general forestry activities on Vancouver Island, mainland British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska. Captions and dates are inconsistently applied.

The fonds also includes a copy of McMullan's thesis entitled "The Work of the Surveys Division: British Columbia Forest Service" written in 1932 during McMullan's studies at the University of British Columbia. This thesis is illustrated with five b&w prints and an annotated map. Also included in the fonds is a notice of permanent appointment to the British Columbia civil service dated March 25, 1937 with attached salary schedule and a letter to McMullan dated January 20, 1938 regarding a new classification grading system for Foresters.

McMullan, Daniel Lawrence

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

Report on land districts

  • GR-1757
  • Series
  • 1935-1936

This series consists of a report by C.E. Tildesley, titled" Concerning the Land districts of British Columbia". Bound typescript.

British Columbia. Surveys Branch

BC Government lithographed regional maps

  • CM/CL1
  • Series
  • 1911-1991

In 1911, the British Columbia Department of Lands began publishing standardized series of lithographic maps of BC regions, as well as general maps of the entire province. Over the next five decades these provincial maps were used both to stimulate and to document settlement and economic development on a region-by-region basis. For many areas, the provincial regional maps served as the main published source of cartographic information until those areas were gradually covered by sheets from the National Topographic Series of maps.

This summary guide and the accompanying series lists and graphic indices provide a basic overview of the provincial series maps available at the BC Archives. The series list (see finding aid) allows researchers to search for the call numbers of desired maps by using map series name, map sheet number or map title, while the graphic indices (CM/CL1 page G1) allow for a search by geographic area.

The map series include the Geographic Series of general purpose maps; the Lands, Pre-emptors', and Degree series of land status maps; and the Topographic Series of physical features (and some land status) maps. The land status maps are of particular value to researchers since the lot numbers depicted on the maps serve as an entry point to many other types of records produced by the Department of Lands and its successors. Conversely, researchers who already know the legal description for a property can often use the maps to place the property in its geographic context. Researchers should note that mineral titles are usually not depicted on the land status maps. Such titles are shown in the published Mineral Reference Maps (subseries CM/CL1.7) and in a separate, unpublished series (CM/S1).

CM/CL1 includes the following series of maps:

  1. Geographic Series (1A - 1SW) , 1912 - 1981
    This series consists of a diverse range of maps including general maps of the entire province, general maps of large regions, and provincial and regional maps overlaid with various government administrative boundaries. The Geographic Series was continued by the successor to the Geographic Branch, the Map Production Division (1971 - 1981), which also published such related series *Date ranges given are those for the sheets held by BC Archives as the Special Geographical Series Maps, 1967 - 1980 and the Regional (New Series) Maps, 1978.

  2. Land Series (2A - 2F), 1913 - 1958
    This series and the two following were designed primarily to show the status of land alienation. The Land Series sheets initially covered the settled southwestern area of the province and usually provided general geographic detail; fairly extensive cultural features such as transportation routes, parks, post offices, hospitals, telegraph lines, etc.; land district boundaries; limited topographic (landform) information in the form of spot heights, and depictions of the boundaries and numbers of surveyed lots pertaining to various forms of land title (crown grants, reserves, timber licences and leases), conveniently coded by colour. Later sheets in the series covered portions of the mainland coast, and the Queen Charlotte Islands. The series was published at the scale of four miles to one inch.

  3. Pre-emptors' Series (3A - 3Q), 1911 - 1969
    Originally intended as a quick means of depicting for settlers the Crown lands available for pre-emption in the north-central portion of the province, the first pre-emptors' maps were rough in form and were substantially redrawn each year. Since the early sheets were designed for short-term use, they provided only basic planimetric information (horizontal features such as rivers and lakes, but not landforms) along with depictions of the boundaries and numbers of surveyed lots, land recording district boundaries, government reserves, and of course, lands open for pre-emption or in some cases, public auction. Even the early sheets, however, often also provide relatively detailed information on the location of trails, roads, and railways, and the popularity of the series as well as the increasing availability of accurate survey information for the mapped areas soon prompted the Geographic Branch to improve the maps' appearance, accuracy and level of detail. Thus, while the scale, area covered, and numbering of the early sheets varied from year to year, the format of the series was standardized by 1915, with most sheets being published at a scale of three miles to one inch. Certain sheets eventually depicted topography by means of contours, and provided some of the types of more detailed cultural information present in the Lands and Degree Series.

  4. Degree Series (4A - 4Q), 1912 - 1956
    This series was designed to cover the relatively well-settled area of the BC interior between the CPR line and the 49th parallel using standardized sheets of one degree in latitude and one in longitude. The maps were published at the comparatively large scale of two miles to the inch since they were intended to provide prospectors and other residents with accurate, long-term information on physical features; the location of land recording, mining, and/or electoral districts; the boundaries and numbers of surveyed lots (including timber leases), and specific cultural details such as the location of schools, hospitals, post offices, transportation routes, power lines, and so on. Many of the sheets are contoured so as to depict topography in detail.

  5. Topographic Series (5A - 5E), 1917 - 1952
    This series was begun with the goal of depicting the results of exploratory topographic surveys (by Frank Cyril Swannell) in northern BC. The first sheets, therefore, provide planimetric information as well as topography in the form of hachures or contours, but depict few cultural details and are drawn at the relatively small scale of five miles to one inch. Later sheets, however, covered parts of southern BC and include not only detailed topography, but also many of the same cultural features, presented at the same scales, as in the Lands and Degree Series. Interestingly, certain maps in the above series were produced as special "economic geography" editions containing numerous annotations regarding natural resources as well as extensive textual information on the verso (back) of the sheets. Such sheets, as well as those which simply contain extensive natural resource annotations, are identified in the accompanying lists by the entry "Economic Geography" after the map title. In addition to the series described above, a number of smaller or more specialized series are identified in the series lists.

  6. Composite Series (6A), 1952

  7. Mineral Reference Maps (MRM1-MRM8), 1927-1935

  8. Mining Division Maps, 1914-1939
    Drawn by the Geographic Branch for the Department of Mines

  9. [Public Works Highway Maps] (PWD), 1930-1953

  10. Provincial Parks Maps (P.S.A.2. WCT2), 1966-1981

  11. Special Geographical Series Maps (SGS1-SGS2), 1967-1979

  12. Regional (New Series) Maps (1-2), 1978

  13. Outdoor Recreation Maps (1-16), 1981-1986

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands

Letterpress reference books of surveyed land

  • GR-1058
  • Series
  • 1908-1914

This series contains letterpress reference books of surveyed land, usually including name of land holder and lot number. The entries are arranged by land district for each reporting date. These lists were published later as notices in the British Columbia Gazette. These books were used by the Dept. of Lands to record file numbers and other information concerning the process.

British Columbia. Surveys Branch

Alphabetical indexes

  • GR-1410
  • Series
  • 1902-1951

The series consist of two index volume created by the Dept. of Lands between 1902 and 1952. The first volume (1902-1930) has the following title: alphabetical index of leases (except coal leases and petroleum & natural gas leases) issued under Dominion [rest of title missing].
The second volume (1932-1951) has the following title: alphabetical index [notices?] of occupation, Dominion and Provincial.
Both volumes are arranged alphabetically and have fields for date, name, file number, term, purpose and box (volume 1) or location (volume 2).

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands

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

Photo-topographical survey records

  • GR-3750
  • Series
  • [ca. 1920-1979]

The series consists of a variety of record types, including: topographical maps; index books listing names and data concerning survey stations around B.C.; microfiche with data regarding survey stations in B.C.; library materials on topographical matters and related subjects; and photographs in the form of negative film rolls.

The photo-topographical survey method of mapping was described by R.E. McCaw, B.C.L.S. as follows: "In the mountainous areas of Western Canada, the photo-topographical method for obtaining a topographical map has been used for many years. A triangulation of a fair degree of accuracy is necessary for a base. Rounds of photographs, by specially designed survey camera are taken from the triangulation stations, and many other independent stations which are all connected into a net work of control which may be plotted to scale. It is essential to have all portions of the landscape photographed from two or more different points, which are usually on the summits of mountains or high ridges. The camera is always set in a carefully levelled position. In the office, enlargements from the photographic negatives are made. The directions of these are plotted and points identified from views from adjacent stations overlooking the same area. Using the principles of descriptive geometry and perspective, these points are plotted and the elevations computed. It is always the endeavour to choose the points in such a way they they will outline streams, lakes, ridges, etc. Rivers, creeks, lakes, roads, etc., are then drawn in using the photographs as a guide. The slope is then shown by contours, the accuracy of all depending upon the accurate instrumental work in the field and the number of identified points used in the office."

Descriptive accounts of the survey work in the field is given by surveyors in many of the the departmental annual reports.

The maps in the series GR-3750 were meant by their creator to be used together with photographic prints and negatives which are held by BC Archives in other series; in particular, including: GR-3478 - Photo-topographical images; GR-3427 - Surveys Branch photo-topographical negatives; and GR-3428 - Topographic Division photo-topographical negatives.

Annotations on the maps link to the images, showing survey control stations, the dates a survey was conducted at that station, the surveyor that headed the survey (indicated by either first letters of their full name or by first letter of their last name; and an identifying number of the photograph taken from that station, with an arrow indicating the view (the direction) in which the photograph was taken.

For example, see sheets 93A, Spanish Lake, Swift River and Cariboo Lake; the legend, including annotation to the legend indicates the following, that a “Camera station” is represented by a round circle around a dot, a Triangulation station is represented by a triangle around a dot. A station will have a larger circular annotation with the following as example in the circle:

S = initial of last name of surveyor
1933 = year survey conducted
25 = envelope number (location of stored photographic print)

This indicates that at this station a survey was conducted by Stewart in 1933, and photo prints are located in envelope number 25 of the envelopes of prints in Series GR-3478 - Photo-topographical images. For example: Map 92 I/ SE, Merritt, includes annotations on the map for Iron Mountain region south of the town of Merritt (there are three camera stations at Iron Mountain). The map includes the annotations 24/41, 24/42 and 24/43. These indicate photo prints from the 1924 survey are located in envelopes 41, 42 and 43.

The series is arranged in 12 files; each file is equal to one container. In some cases a container consists of one bound volume. Files one, two and three consist of maps in large, hardcover bound volumes.

File 1 (container 932492-0001) consists of a large, green hardcover binder (61 x 76 x 3 cm) containing 131 maps. Most but not all of the maps are labelled “National Topographic Series.” Items (maps) are arranged in the binder in numerical order according to their NTS number (e.g. 82, 92, 93, 102, 103, 104, etc.). The finding aid for the series (see link below) itemizes each map in this binder.

File 2 (container 932492-0002) consists of 59 topographic maps annotated with survey networks showing triangulation, ca. 1940-1965. The maps, some of which are labelled as pre-emptor’s maps, show triangulation from survey stations, with names of stations. Many are dated as 1942-1945 as the last dates of surveys. The finding aid for the series (see link below) itemizes each map in this binder.

File 3 (container 932492-0003) consists of 41 topographic maps annotated with survey control stations, ca. 1945-1955. The finding aid for the series (see link below) itemizes each map in this binder.

File 4 (container 932492-0004) consists of an index book of survey control stations, ca. 1935-1979. The table format lists data in the following fields: station, district, source, elevation, latitude, longitude, datum, ties to land surveys, and remarks. The primary organization of the index book is in numerical order according to the location (latitude and longitude) of each station. For example, data for stations located at 48-114 is followed by stations at 48-115. These may be broken out into multiple sheets for the same location. The book ranges from a start at 48-113 N.W. and ends at 52-132 N.E.

File 5 (container 932492-0005) consists of an index book of survey control stations, ca. 1940-1979. The table format lists data in the following fields: station, district, source, elevation, latitude, longitude, datum, ties to land surveys, and remarks. The primary organization of the index book is in numerical order according to the latitude and longitude location of each stations. For example, data for stations located at 48-114 is followed by stations at 48-115. These may be broken out into multiple sheets for the same location. The book ranges from a start at 53-118 S.W. to 61-132 S.E.

File 6 (container 932492-0006) consists of 64 forest maps, Interim Forest Cover Series, Canada sheet maps, ca. 1960. Some of the maps are annotated with survey data (location of survey control stations, date of survey, surveyor, photograph taken at station, direction of photo) and some are not.

File 7 (container 932492-0007) consists of 54 forest maps annotated with survey data (Interim Forest Cover Series : Canada sheet maps), ca. 1950-1973. Maps are annotated with survey data (location of survey control stations, date of survey, surveyor, photograph number taken at station, direction of photo).

File 8 (container 932492-0008) consists of 59 forest maps annotated with survey data (Interim Forest Cover Series : Canada sheet maps), ca. 1970. Maps are annotated with survey data (location of survey control stations, date of survey, surveyor, photograph number taken at station, direction of view of the photo, etc.].

File 9 (container 932492-0009) consists of microfiche records of data output from Control Survey Data Base (CSDB). Index and microfiche 1 to 140 represent all B.C. map sheets (82A - 115A). Fiche 1 provides documentation on the data output and sort methods. What follows is a list of fields in the Control Survey Data Base (CSDB): Station Name; Tablet Marking (the number stamped on the marker); CSDB Name (the CSDB computer number); Horizontal Precision Scale H1-H8; Vertical Precision Scale V1-V8; Marked/unmarked Station (Brass bolt, Aluminium disk etc.); Photo Identified or Targeted; Mapsheet #; Date card written; Geographic Co-ords in NAD27; UTM Co-ords / UTM Zone / Central Meridian of the Zone; Roll & Frame # of Photo Identification / Target; Station description; Surveyor / Project Area / Year of Survey; Station site description / marker information; Surveyed rays / Azimuth or Bearing to other stations.

File 10 (container 932492-0010) consists of a sample of a field book (blank) which was retained for evidentiary value; and library materials including books on subjects related to topographical work.

File 11 (container 932492-0011) consists of photographs in the form of negative film rolls, ca. 1950-1953, which include images of river views and other miscellaneous unidentified scenes.

File 12 (container 932492-0012) consists of one map of British Columbia with topographical survey overlay, paper and mylar, British Columbia Ministry of Environment, 1980.

British Columbia. Surveys and Mapping Branch

History and detailed chronology of land districts

  • GR-4284
  • Series
  • [1935-1936]

This series consists of notes, maps, reports and descriptions of various land districts in British Columbia. This includes a hand written report titled "Report on the gazettings of land districts" by C.E. Tildesley, Legal Surveys, Dept. of Lands and Forests. The majority of the records appear to have been created in the 1930s, and cover the history of land districts from the 1860s to 1930s.

These records were created as an attempt at creating formal descriptions of every land district in BC. Previously, land districts had been created in an ad hoc manner, and the term "land district" had been used to describe any area in the province that had an official land register, which at the time of writing, applied to 83 land districts. Many of these districts never had an official description of their extent or boundary locations. Only some districts had been described through the use of an official survey map, and even fewer had a gazetted description with formal boundaries.

Extensive research was conducted on BC Gazettes and Dept. of Lands records to determine a chronological history for each district and what land districts did, or did not, have official maps and previously gazetted boundaries. Research was also conducted on the terminology used to define land districts over time, and potential overlap with mineral districts, electoral districts, school districts and other official boundaries. The terms land district, land recording district, lot district, land recording division, and land division had often used interchangeably until around 1909.

Records may relate to the following land districts: Alberni, Barclay, Bright, Cameron, Cariboo, Cassiar, Cedar, Chemainus, Clayoquat, Coast Range 1, Coast Range 2, Coast Range 3, Coast Range 4, Coast Range 5, Comiaken, Comox, Cowichan, Cowichan Lake, Cranberry, Douglas, Dunsmuir, Esquimalt, Goldstream, Helmcken, Highland, Kamloops, Kootenay, Lake, Lillooet, Malahat, Metchosin, Mountain, Nanaimo, Nanoose, Nelson, Newcastle, New Westminster, Nootka, Osoyoos, Otter, Oyster, Peace River, Quamichan, Quatsino, Queen Charlotte (Haida Gwaii), Renfrew, Rupert, North Saanich, South Saanich, Sahtlam, Sayward, Seymour, Shawnigan, Similkameen, Somenos, Sooke, Victoria, Wellington, Yale and various Gulf Islands.

British Columbia. Surveys Branch

Report to the Honorable John Oliver, Minister of Railways, Province of British Columbia, on the economic and engineering features of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway

The item consists of a copy of a report on the economic and engineering features of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in 1922, held by the Dept. of Lands. The report was written by J.G. Sullivan who was commissioned by the Premier and Minister of Railways, John Oliver.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands