Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Index to Attorney-General correspondence inward
General material designation
- textual record
- microform
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the series.
Level of description
Series
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1901-1937, predominant 1911-1919 (Creation)
- Creator
- British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General
Physical description area
Physical description
1 reel of microfilm [B02371]
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
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Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Attorney-General’s Department was established in 1871 by authority of the Constitution Act of 1871 (SBC 1871, c. 147). Prior to that, from 1863 to 1866, the origins of the ministry were in the offices of the Attorney-General for the Colony of Vancouver Island and for the Colony of British Columbia. In 1866, the colonies united to form one colony, with one Attorney-General, who remained in place until British Columbia became a province of the Dominion of Canada in 1871. The Attorney-General was the official legal advisor of the Lieutenant-Governor and of the Executive Council. He was responsible for the settlement and approval of all documents issued under the public seal of the province and for the supervision of magistrates, police, and the constabulary.
In 1899, the department was reconstituted by the Attorney-General’s Act (SBC 1899, c. 5), which expanded the duties and powers of the Attorney-General to include: management and direction of correctional institutions, the British Columbia Provincial Police, and the administration of public affairs; provision of legislative and legal advice to the representative of the Crown and the heads of government departments; administration of justice within the Province; and regulation of all litigation for and against the Crown and public departments within the jurisdiction of the Legislature.
At various times several different agencies have been under the direction of the Attorney-General, such as the Industrial Schools for Boys and for Girls, Factories Inspection Branch, Electrical Energy Inspection Branch, Mothers’ Pension Board, Municipal Branch, Provincial Board of Health, Prohibition Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and Superintendent of Neglected Children. In most instances these agencies have later been placed under the management of other departments, absorbed into new organizations, or abolished altogether.
In 1976, the Dept. of the Attorney-General was renamed the Ministry of the Attorney General (OIC 3199/76).
Custodial history
Scope and content
The series consists of a subject index to Department of Attorney-General correspondence inward found within GR-1323. The index is primarily for the years 1911-1919, although there are some entries as early as 1901 and as late as 1937.
Between 1911-1919, each year has a separate index arranged by subject (also known as 'boxes' or 'drawers'). Within each subject, entries are arranged chronologically. Note that the year is marked on only the first page of each index. The series also includes descriptions of the 1919-1937 filing system, listing the acts, sub-headings, and file code numbers used. Though specific correspondence are not listed here, it is possible to use this index to estimate where records might appear within the correspondence (GR-1323).
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Microfilm transferred to the BC Archives by the Ministry of Attorney General in March 1983.
Arrangement
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
The original volumes were microfilmed in December 1962 by the Central Microfilm Bureau. Disposition of original volumes is unknown.
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
These records are restricted. Contact the BC Archives for information about access.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Associated materials
See GR-1323 for Attorney-General correspondence (1902-1937).
Accruals
General note
Accession number(s): G83-021