Hubert Howe Bancroft collection (MG 29, C15). Finding Aid No. 483.

The British Columbia Centennial '71 Committee was established by the British Columbia Centennial '71 Celebration Act of 1969 [SBC 1969 c.2]. Its mandate was to make and carry out "all arrangements necessary for organizing a celebration of the centenary of British Columbia joining Canada." As had been the case in the centennial celebrations of 1958 and 1966-1967, the Deputy Provincial Secretary, L.J. Wallace, was primarily responsible for overseeing the organization of the 1971 celebration. Following a tradition established with the earlier centennials, the provincial government offered per capita grants to assist communities with local events and projects. The government - through the Centennial '71 Committee - also organized and helped to finance a large number of major events and programmes. Events included a Provincial Festival of Sports and a Royal Visit by HM the Queen. Educational, cultural and historical programmes included the Queen Elizabeth II scholarships, Stop of Interest plaques, and a large number of school pageants. In addition to the above, the Centennial Committee presented pioneer medallions to B.C. residents who were either born in Canada or were a resident of Canada prior to 1897. Applications for medallions may be found in GR-1490. Records include administrative and sub-committee files (dealing with particular events and activities) and project files (dealing with commemorative building projects undertaken by local communities throughout the province). Boxes 1-12 (Files A-A-1 to A-W-3) contain Administrative files, Boxes 13-44 Project files, and Boxes 30-47 Local Committee files. .

The vertical files, also known as clipping files, were created and maintained by the Provincial Archives between 1908 and 1982. They are filed alphabetically by subject and were originally stored in file folders. The folders contain news clippings, pamphlets, memo's, photographs, family trees and other ephemera, 1896 to 1982, and cover all aspects of British Columbia's people, families, government, businesses, history and events. The purpose of the vertical files was to preserve historical and biographical information about British Columbia and its residents, and to make that information available to the public and to staff. The files were closed and microfilmed in the early 1980s.

There are 164 reels of microfilm containing the alphabetically arranged files and one reel containing a microfilmed copy of the four volume file list to the files. These reels have been given the reference code D-19 and are available in the self service microfilm drawers in the Archives reference room. The hard copy of the four volume file list is also available there.

Over the years, some material was removed from the vertical files and recatalogued. In addition, a small amount of original material was selected from the files and is available in container 920334-0001.

The records consist of correspondence, scrapbooks, notebooks and diaries, typescripts of speeches and articles, historical and political notes. It also contains a number of manuscripts, both transcripts and originals, by people other than McKelvie. Series include transcripts of books, articles and speeches; correspondence; notebooks and diaries; miscellaneous notes and material; scrapbooks; copies of nineteenth century manuscripts; and typescripts by persons other than McKelvie.
Boxes 19-50 contain miscellaneous, unsorted material.

The series consists of microfilmed transcripts of short essays on various subjects, including the transport and mining industries in B.C., the history of B.C., descriptions of Victoria and other B.C. cities by Cariboo grocer Leonard A. Coton. Also includes accounts of car trips taken by L.A. Coton to the Okanagan, the Cariboo and on Vancouver Island in the 1950s.

Diaries, 1897-1961, correspondence, subject files, scrapbooks and household accounts. The collection reflects Longstaff's interest in military affairs, naval history, mountaineering, the Anglican Church, various youth organizations and the history of British Columbia in general.

Records include: diaries, 1897-1961, correspondence, subject files, scrapbooks and household accounts. The collection reflects Longstaff's interest in military affairs, naval history, mountaineering, the Anglican Church, various youth organizations and the history of British Columbia in general.

Approximately 1,200 photographs of ships, mountains, family, and a world cruise of the Empress of Britain were transferred to Visual Records accession 198504-001. The photographs are arranged alphabetically as organized by Longstaff. Other photographs are in accession 198001-002. The photos are not included in this series file list. Request the blue Longstaff photo binders from Archives staff to see descriptions of the photographs and photo albums in this series.

Maps were registered as M889132. A list of maps from the Longstaff collection is available in Map documentation file M856030, also known as finding aid CM/Z43. Please request this file from an archivist.

The series consists of oral history interviews focusing on the European settlement and development of British Columbia, mainly covering the period 1880-1914, recorded all over the province by broadcaster Imbert Orchard. The series also includes field recordings of natural and man-made sounds, as well as some example of indigenous and folk music.

The series consists of notes and correspondence pertaining to Harvey's career as Reeve of Point Grey and Vancouver City alderman (1909-1935). It includes draft bills, reports, and newspaper cuttings re town planning and Point Grey's amalgamation with Vancouver in 1929. The series also includes manuscripts, notes, and correspondence pertaining to Harvey's work as an historian with files on John Robson, Amor de Cosmos, David Douglas, and Mt. Robson and extensive notes on B.C. place names and early post offices. The papers have been arranged under four main categories: personal papers, notes and correspondence pertaining to civic affairs, literary and historical articles and notes, and notes concerning British Columbia place names.

Alexander Caulfield Anderson was born near Calcutta, India in 1814 and died at Saanich in 1884. He was educated in England and joined the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) in 1831 as an apprentice clerk. After a year of service at Lachine, he was assigned to various HBC posts throughout the northwest, including Fort Vancouver, Fort McLoughlin, Fraser Lake, Fort George, Fort Nisqually, Fort Alexandria and Fort Colvile. He was promoted to chief trader in 1846, and would have been made chief factor had he been willing to accept a post in New Caledonia. Between 1846 and 1847, in response to the Oregon boundary issue, Anderson led three exploring expeditions in an attempt to find a route, from the HBC post at Kamloops to the HBC post Fort Langley, which would fall entirely within British territory. Two of the routes that he identified were used at various times by the HBC brigades between the interior posts and the ocean. He retired from the Company in 1854, and settled with his wife Eliza Birnie, whom he married in 1837, in Cathlamet, Washington. They eventually had 13 children. In 1858 Anderson was persuaded by James Douglas to accept the position of postmaster of Victoria; he later served briefly as collector of customs, and also had various business interests in Victoria. In 1876 he was appointed as both Dominion inspector of fisheries and the federal representative on the Dominion-Provincial Joint Commission on Indian Land in British Columbia. His appointment to this commission ended in 1878. Anderson was considered scholarly, and wrote several reports, articles and manuscripts about the history of the northwest coast.

Records include: A.C. Anderson's correspondence in and out (box 1), including letters from Peter Skene Ogden, 1837-1839, Sir George Simpson, 1836-1839, and letters to Alexander Grant Dallas, 1852, and William Fraser Tolmie, 1854; journals, certificates, notes and diaries and a manuscript "History of the Northwest Coast". Some of these records were previously catalogued in the Old Manuscript Collection of the BC Archives; a conversion list of old call numbers and a subject index are in the hard copy finding aid in the reference room. Box 1, file 1-4 consists of correspondence inward; Box 1, file 5 consists of correspondence outward; Box 1, file 6-7 consists of miscellaneous fur trade papers and appointments; Box 1, file 8-9 consists of certificates and will; Box 2, file 1-9 consists of notes, diaries and histories; Box 2, file 10 consists of the draft of Notes on North-Western America; Box 3 and 4 consist of miscellaneous records

As part of Canada's 1967 Centennial celebrations, commemorative medallions were presented to B.C. residents who were either born in Canada or who were living in the country prior to 1 January 1892.

GR-1489 consists of application forms for these medallions. The forms provide the names of applicants, date and place of birth, names of applicants' fathers, maiden names of applicants' wives and mothers, names of applicants' brothers and sisters, and other genealogical details.

The forms were originally distributed by local centennial committees throughout the province. Completed forms were then forwarded to the Deputy Provincial Secretary, who acted as chairman of the province's Canadian Confederation Committee. The forms were filed in duplicate: one set was filed alphabetically, by the name of the community in which the applicant resided (Boxes 1-18); a second set was filed by the name of the applicant (Boxes 19-33).

This series contains records of the committee organized to celebrate the centenary of the union of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, and the centenary of confederation in Canada. The committee chairman was L.J. Wallace, Deputy Provincial Secretary. Types of records include administrative files dealing with particular events and activities, and project files dealing with commemorative projects undertaken by local communities.

GR-1449 consists of two records series: Administration files and Project files. The former documents the many events organized and authorized by the committee, while the latter deals with funding local community projects throughout the province.

Related records are to be found in GR-1489 - Applications for Pioneer Medallions. These medallions were presented by the centennial committee to B.C. residents who were either born in Canada or were a resident of Canada prior to 1892.

This series contains Native Indians' Participation Sub-Committee files. The records include correspondence and reports regarding carving commemorative totem poles.

In 1971, to commemorate the centennial of British Columbia's entry into Confederation, the provincial government presented pioneer medallions to B.C. residents who were either born in Canada or were living in Canada prior to 1 January 1897. Persons who were eligible for the medallions were requested to make application through their local centennial committees. The four-part application forms were then forwarded to the office of the Deputy Provincial Secretary who was responsible for distributing the medallions to thousands of pioneers throughout the province.

GR-1490 consists of copies of the medallion application forms. These forms provide the pioneers' names, date and place of birth, and their occupation before retirement. In addition, the forms give the names of applicant's parents, maiden names of wives and mothers, names of brothers and sisters, and other genealogical details. One set of is filed alphabetically by name of community, a second set by name of individual applicant. There is also a file of forms for centenarians as well as chronological lists of pioneers born between 1860 and 1879.

These records relate to McKay's career as a chief trader for the Hudson's Bay Company including correspondence, a journal, notes regarding ceremonies and traditional beliefs of Indigenous people of BC, and his recollections as Chief Trader.

The sub-series consists of interviews and documentary radio programs by CFPR/CBC producer Norman Newton. Most of this material deals with the history, way of life and legends of B.C. First Nations people, particularly those of the Skeena Region.

SUMMARY: "The Encounter" is number 1 in the series: a program about the encounter of the white man with the wilderness, and with the native people, in the early days of British Columbia -- and the effects of these encounters. Voices heard include: Constance Cox, Annie York, Blanche Jordan-Williams, Shelagh Dehart, Rhoda White, Lizette Hall, Agnes Johnson, Leon Ladner, Gerry Gorges, Walter Wicks, and Chief William Scow.

Records of Geoffrey Wilson Taylor, accountant and historian. Includes a visitors' book, 1929-1946; research notes, postcard albums; photo albums; stamp album, loose postcards, and copy prints, from other institutions, of images used in Taylor's various publications .

Manuscripts of articles and poems, newspaper clippings of articles, letters to the editor, and poetry. Many of the articles are on BC history and political figures. Morton was a legislative reporter and later secretary to Premier Oliver and MacLean.

Presented by Mr. Morton.

The file contains essays and other material created by C. F. Morison. It includes "Reminiscences of British Columbia from 1862 by a pioneer of the North West Coast," written by Charles Morison in 1920; "A brief narrative history of early British Columbia, 1862-1876", which includes revisions by his son, J.W. Morison, 1966; letter to the Reverend A.C. Pound, 1926, re history of Hazelton; pioneer form, C.F. Morison, ca. 1920s.

SUMMARY: "Between Ourselves" was a weekly series of hour-long radio programs that presented Canada to Canadians. It featured aspects of Canadian life in docudramas, plays, music, and interviews, originating from different regions of Canada. The series ran from 1966 to 1979. This episode is described as: "A radio documentary about the Canadian west, including interviews of pioneers and other westerners. The interviewees are: pioneer Henry Walden of Winnipeg, who was a scout for the RCMP; pioneer Mrs. J.G. DeGear of Battleford; homesteader and curator George Sheppard of Saskatoon; homesteader Peter Svarich of Vegreville; displaced Vancouverites Mike and Joe Ohashi of Purple Springs; modern homesteaders Ed and Barbara Dietzen; farmer Guy Harry Big Throat of Standoff [Alta.]; painter Gerald Tailfeathers of Standoff; nurse Jean Cuthand of Winnipeg; Chief Walking Buffalo of Morley; guide Jimmy Simpson of Bow Lakes; naturalist Andy Russell of Waterton Lakes; guide and cameraman Bruno Engler of Banff; guide Edward Feuz of Notre Dame College in Wilcox; and magistrate Isaac Rice of Winnipeg. Walden talks about what it was like to be a scout, how people had respect for the Queen and British law, and attitudes toward Indians. Mrs. DeGear recalls the Frog Lake Massacre in the Northwest Rebellion. George Sheppard talks about the turn of the century land boom and sod houses. Svarich speaks about how people with money had a good start, unlike those without money. Mike and Joe Ohashi, who moved from their home in British Columbia as a result of the federal government's displacement of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War, talk about how they wanted a real house after having to live in a converted chicken coop. The aboriginal interviewees talk about their lifestyle and feelings. Jimmy Simpson talks about Bill Miner and his gang. Andy Russell talks about the construction of the [railroad or highway through?] Rogers' Pass."

CALL NUMBER: SD0009:0020 SUMMARY: "A comprehensive review of the history of Canada's Pacific Province.";

CALL NUMBER: SD0009:0021 SUMMARY: Duplicate of above.;

SUMMARY: A series of short radio features (3.5 to 5.5 minutes in length) profiling famous British Columbians, produced to mark B.C.'s 1971 Centennial. This tape (tape #6) contains items about Alex L. Fortune, Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, John Emerson, Rev. Charles J. Seghers, Edgar Fawcett, Billy Barker, Lulu Sweet, and Warburton Pike. (There are two copies of this tape.)

SUMMARY: A series of short radio features (3.5 to 5.5 minutes in length) profiling famous British Columbians, produced to mark B.C.'s 1971 Centennial. This tape (tape #4) contains items about Gerry Hill, Ned McGowan, Chief Maquinna, John Kendrick, and Emily Carr. (There are two copies of this tape.)

SUMMARY: A series of short radio features (3.5 to 5.5 minutes in length) profiling famous British Columbians, produced to mark B.C.'s 1971 Centennial. This tape (tape #5) contains items about John Houston, Captain W.A. Mouat, Col. R.T. Lowery, "Gassy Jack" Deighton, Johnny Harris, Henry "12-Foot" Davis, Wellington D. Moses, and Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken. (There are two copies of this tape.)

SUMMARY: A series of short radio features (3.5 to 5.5 minutes in length) profiling famous British Columbians, produced to mark B.C.'s 1971 Centennial. This tape (tape #3) contains items about Bill Miner, Rev. Dr. Robson, Captain J. Irving, William Baillie-Grohman, William Duncan, John Evans, and John Fitzroy De Courcy.

The series consists of scripts, notes, correspondence and background material related to the production of Orchard's documentary radio programs at CBC Vancouver, including the series "Living Memory" (1961-1964), "From the Mountains to the Sea" (1967)," and People in Landscape" (1968-1972). These programs were mainly based on Orchard's tape-recorded oral history interviews with B.C. pioneers (found in MS-3268). Also included in the papers are written reminiscences of some of Orchard's interviewees, notably Martin Starret, William John "Wiggs" O'Neill and Martha (O'Neill) Boss. These records, together with assorted pamphlets and newspaper cuttings, constitute MS-0364.

The item is a microfilm copy of a thesis by Philip H. Connolly titled "A geographical analysis of historical events in the Maple Ridge district." 87 leaves, fig., illus., maps. Essay (B.A.), University of British Columbia, 1953. Bibliography: leaves 82-87.

The file consists of photocopies of miscellaneous records collected by W.K. Lamb including:
Reminiscences of Provincial Archivists E.O.S. Scholefield and R.E. Gosnell by Alma Russell, who was for many years a member of the staff of the Provincial Archives; letter from R.H. Coats to W.K. Lamb, November 17, 1944, re his collaboration with R.E. Gosnell on "Sir James Douglas"; letter from John Forsyth, June 22, 1945, re the histories of British Columbia written by Gosnell and Scholefield and Howay and Scholefield.

Records of the committee established by the Centennial Celebration Act of 1956 to celebrate the centenary of the mainland colony of British Columbia in 1958. Includes records of various sub-committees and applications from communities for provincial grants for commemorative projects. General chairman of the committee was L.J. Wallace, Deputy Provincial Secretary. Records in this unit were maintained by committee's secretary, W.B. Ireland, Provincial Librarian and Archivist.

GR-1448 consists of the files kept by W.E. Ireland who, in addition to his duties as Honorary Secretary, served as a member of the screening committee for applications for community projects. He also served as chairman of the subcommittee on Historic Sites and Publications which commissioned Margaret A. Ormsby's British Columbia: A History.

This series contains extracts from volumes in C.O. 537 series [supplementary correspondence]. The records consist mainly of despatches to and from the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Governor-General of Canada and senior British military officers. The majority of the records were originally classified as "Secret" or "Confidential." Records pertain to all parts of Canada, but include substantial British Columbia-related material. San Juan Island dispute, B.C.'s entry into Confederation, trans-Pacific steamship services, coastal defence, and the Bering Sea sealing negotiations are but some of the issues documented in this series.