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Overview

Cartographic Records include maps, plans, architectural drawings, charts.

The BC Archives has over 63,000 maps, atlases, and architectural drawings relating to the exploration, discovery, and development of the province of British Columbia. The types of maps include: published maps and the cartographic and architectural archives of the provincial government; maps of British Columbia supporting research in history, geography, cartography, genealogy, and the development of geographical knowledge of British Columbia; plans by important architects or plans representative of building types contributing to the study of British Columbia's architectural heritage; maps and plans complementing other collections in the Archives and other Divisions of the Royal BC Museum.

The finding aids and some maps are available on the website for research purposes only. Please note that only a very small sample of the catalogued maps held by the BC Archives are accessible through the website. Access to the majority of the catalogue is through the reference room at 675 Belleville Street, Victoria or through a written enquiry directed to Access Services (see online form). We are unable to provide copies of digital files for individual maps. All maps can be consulted in the reference room of the BC Archives, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, B.C. Limited copying of original maps is available. Currently, full-size, black and white, paper, black and white semi-gloss, and colour semi-gloss copies can be ordered. For copy order instructions including prices, information about copyright or other restrictions, follow the "Cartographic Records Instructions for Use" link below.

New visitors should take a moment to review Electronic Access and Links to This Site and Cartographic Records Instructions for Use.

Finding Aids and Textual Guides

The Cartographic Records Index is a user searchable index of a very limited number of the total holdings (approximately 700 entries at present).

• Basic Search on the Cartographic Records Index (according to your own criteria)
• Advanced Search on the Cartographic Records Index (according to your own criteria)
• See Also: pre-defined hypertext cross references to subjects and to dates.

Also available on-line are the Cartographic Records Finding Aids.

The Orientation Guide to Cartographic Records is being revised and will made available as soon as possible.

NEW! PROCEDURES FOR ORDERING LARGE FORMAT
PAPER OR PRINT COPIES OF CARTOGRAPHIC RECORDS

Copies of maps can be made from maps that are in good condition, have at least one side 36" or smaller, and have no copyright or other restrictions. Maps can be copied to scale in either black and white or colour and prices vary accordingly. Consult with Archives staff before ordering copies as the age, condition, and quality of some archival maps may prevent copies being made or may result in copies in which the details are not as clear as on the originals. The Archives will try to advise clients on the best option to choose when ordering copies but can accept no responsibility for the final result of the choice made by the client. See the price list for details on costs of copying, packaging and mailing.

Unsure of a geographical name, or its location? See information available from other sites regarding geographical names.

Selected Cartographic Records in Digital Format

British Admiralty Charts, 1848 - 1955

• CM_A213 Nootka Sound 1849.02.24

• CM_A215 Victoria Harbour 1860

• CM_B2417 Nanaimo Harbour 1864.05.23 1883.07

• CM_C756 Goletas Chl. to Quatsino Sound including Scott Islands 1864.12.08

• CM_C779 Sydney Inlet to Nitinat including Clayoquot and Barclay Sounds 1863.07.03 1865.04

• CM_C2287 Esperanza to Clayoquot including Nootka Sound [Annotated] 1865.06.29

• CM_B818 Quatsino to Esperanza including Kyuquot Sound [Annotated] 1865.06.30 1890.02

• CM_B212 Johnstone & Broughton Straits and Queen Charlotte Sound with Knight Inlet & Adjacent Channels 1867.06.20

• CM_C2379 Cape Caution to Port Simpson including Hecate Strait and Part of Queen Charlotte Islands [18- -]

• CM_C2319 Queen Charlotte and Johnstone Straits and Adjacent Channels 1935.08.16 1936.04.06

• CM_C2301 N.E.Pt. of Texada I. to Johnstone Strait including Toba, Bute, and Loughborough Inlets 1862.09.30 1867.09 ?

• CM_C2308 Fraser R, to N.E.Pt. of Texada I. including Howe Sound and Jervis Inlet [Annotated] 1863.02.16 1865.08

B.C. Government Lithographed Regional Map Series, 1911 - 1991

Geographic Series, 1912-1981*, Sheets: 1A - 1SW

• CM/C25 British Columbia: Index to Numbering of Map Sheets, N.T.S.

• CM_C958 British Columbia: Index to Numbering of Map Sheets, National Topographic Series 1975

Land Series, 1913-1958, Sheets: 2A - 2F

• CM_C68 Southerly Portion Vancouver Island 1913 (Map #46)

• CM_C51 New Westminister and Yale

• CM_C476 Northerly Portion Vancouver Island 1929

• CM_C478 Powell Lake [Annotated] 1923

• CM_C479 Preliminary Map: Bella Coola 1924

• CM_C41 Preliminary Map: Queen Charlotte Islands [Economic Geography]

Pre-emptors' Series, 1911-1969, Sheets: 3A - 3Q

• CM_C481 Pre-emptor's Map, Sheet no. 1 Valleys of Nechaco and Stuart River in Fort George and Fort Fraser Land Recording Districts 1911

• CM_C202 Pre-Emptor's Map, Sheet #3: Valleys of Fraser, Salmon, & Willow Rivers in Fort George and Peace River Land Recording Districts 1911

• CM_C490 Pre-emptor's Map, Sheet #4: Valleys of Francois and Ootsa Lakes in Fort Fraser and Hazelton Land Recording Districts 1911

• CM_C228 Pre-emptor's Map: Sheet 1, Fort George, Quesnel Sheet, 1912

• CM_C482 Pre-emptor's Map: Sheet 1, Fort George, Quesnel Sheet, 1912

• CM_C491 Pre-emptor's Map: Sheet 2, Nechaco Sheet, British Columbia, 1912

• CM_C530 Pre-emptor's Map: Sheet 5, Peace River Sheet, 1912

Topographic Series, 1917-1952, Sheets: 5A - 5E

• CM_C39 Topographical Sketch Map of Omineca and Finlay River Basins, 1917, Sheet 5A

• CM_C272 Howe Sound - Burrard Inlet, 1929, Sheet 5B

• CM_C545 Preliminary Map, Stikine River, 1929, Sheet 5C

• CM_C627 Revelstoke - Golden, Big Bend - Columbia River, 1941, Sheet 5D

• CM_C547 Lower Squamish Valley, 1952, Sheet 5E

Mineral Reference Maps, 1927-1935, Sheets: MRM1 - MRM8

• CM_C429 Mineral Reference Map (Showing Surveyed Claims) Covering Portions of Slocan, Slocan City, Ainsworth & Nelson Mining Divisions, Kootenay District, 1927, [MRM1]

• CM_C430 Mineral Reference Map (Showing Surveyed Claims) Covering Portions of Trout Lake, Lardeau & Ainsworth Mining Divisions, Kootenay District, 1928, MRM2

• CM_B284 Mineral Reference Map (Showing Surveyed Claims) Covering Portions of Ainsworth, Trout Lake & Slocan Mining Divisions, Kootenay District, 1929, MRM3

• CM_C432 Mineral Reference Map (Showing Surveyed Claims) Covering Portions of Trail Creek and Nelson Mining Divisions, Kootenay District, 1930, MRM5

• CM_C433 Mineral Reference Map (Showing Surveyed Claims) Covering Portions of Grand Forks, Greenwood & Trail Creek Mining Divisions, Similameen District, 1932, MRM6

• CM_C2039 Mineral Reference Map (Showing Surveyed Claims) Barkerville - Lightning Creek, Covering Portions of Cariboo and Quesnel Mining Divisions, Cariboo District, 1935, MRM8

Other Cartographic Records

• CM_W54 Map Of Vancouver Island And The Adjacent Coasts

• CM_A1832 Map of a portion of British Columbia / compiled from the surveys & explorations of the Royal Navy & Royal Engineers, at the camp, New Westminster Novr. 24th 1859

• CM_B89 Town of Victoria, Vancouver Island from the official map / J. Despard Pemberton 1861

• CM_C1059 British Columbia : Major Regions For Indexing Purposes 1975

British Columbia Geographical Names:

Further information on the assignment of geographical names within British Columbia can be found at the British Columbia Geographic Names Information System (BCGNIS) which is the authoritative source for place names in British Columbia. You may confirm geographical names and obtain other information such as latitude, longitude, NTS Map Number, as well as see a current digital map representation.

Inquiries:	Inquiries related to archival holdings, specific records, access, research, or reproduction orders may be submitted via electronic form or Email, as well as by mail or fax.
Home Page:	http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca	This Page:	http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/cartogr/general/maps.htm
Last Modified:	Thursday, 17-Aug-2006 08:46:21 PDT	Maintained by:	webmaster@www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca
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Records Classification: This site is classified and scheduled under ORCS 15100-25