Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Roderick Finlayson fonds
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- textual record
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- Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the fonds.
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Fonds
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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1844-1936 (Creation)
- Creator
- Finlayson, Roderick, 1818-1892
Physical description area
Physical description
13.5 cm of textual records
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Roderick Finlayson was born in Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland in 1818 to Alexander Finlayson and Mary Morrison. In 1837, Finlayson emigrated to New York City and subsequently received an appointment with the Hudson's Bay Company at the company's post in Lachine (then Lower Canada; modern-day Quebec). He joined the HBC as an apprentice clerk and was soon transferred to Fort Coulonge, and shortly thereafter, to Fort William.
In 1839, Finlayson joined John McLoughlin on a brigade bound for the Columbia district. After taking possession of part of the Russian territory leased by the HBC, Finlayson and James Douglas proceeded to the Russian American Company's station in Sitka, Alaska. Douglas's party subsequently proceeded up the Taku River, where they established Fort Taku and where Finlayson was appointed to the position of second-in-command. Over the next two years, Finlayson was transferred to Forts Stikine and Simpson before being sent to Victoria in 1843 to begin construction of the fort there.
In 1844, Finlayson was promoted to the command of Fort Victoria following the death of Charles Ross. He held this position until 1849, when James Douglas was transferred from Fort Vancouver to Fort Victoria. Finlayson was then appointed chief accountant of Fort Victoria, and held this position until 1862.
Finlayson retired from the HBC in 1872 and became "a prominent figure amongst the business men in the Commercial quarter of the Capital." (Vancouver Daily World, 26 Jan. 1892). Between 1872 and 1873, Finlayson served as the mayor of Victoria.
Roderick Finlayson died in Victoria on 20 January 1892.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The fonds consists of Finlayson's autobiography, certificates of appointment to Chief Trader and Chief Factor, several pieces of outward correspondence, and receipts and notes. The fonds also includes material compiled after Finlayson's death, including a copy of his probate, newspaper clippings, and notes related to his 1878 work "The History of Vancouver Island and the Northwest Coast."
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
In many cases, the immediate source of acquisition is unknown. Material was found in the Archives' Old Manuscripts Collection. When source of acquisition is known, see file-level note.
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General note
Archives code(s): A/B/30/F49, A/B/30/F49A, A/B/30/F49.1, A/B/40/F49, A/C/40/F49.2, E/B/F49, E/B/F49.9, E/C/F49.9, M/F49
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
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Name access points
- Finlayson, Roderick, 1818-1892 (Subject)
- Hudson's Bay Company (Subject)