Collection search - Miscellaneous records retained in the Clerk's office including the Blue Books of Statistics [textual record, cartographic material, technical drawing]

Custodial responsibility for the records in this sub-series is shared between the Canadian Archives and Special Collections Branch and the Government Records Branch (GRB). While the former Branch is responsible for the textual records in the sub-series, the Cartographical and Architectural Archives section of the latter Branch is responsible for the maps and technical drawings.

Most of the records in this sub-series were received in 1907 from the Privy Council Office. The transcript of Lt. Col. Phillpotts' reports on inland navigation (vol. 11), however, bears an acquisition stamp dated 16 December 1913. The provenance is unknown. This record was once included within the holdings of the Department of Public Works fonds (R182, formerly RG 11), series I 8, vols. 39-43. It was transferred from those records in 1975.

The arrangement of the Blue Books of Statistics was revised in 1973, when each Blue Book was designated a separate volume. The obsolete volume references are provided in the CAB RG 1 Shelf List to permit tracing old citations. A number of duplicates were removed from the records at that time but several drafts and duplicates were retained among the records to demonstrate the methods used as well as the exactitude with which copies were prepared for various offices.

A contemporary copy of Phillpotts' reports on inland navigation is available in the Colonial Office fonds, series CO 42, Canada, formerly British North America, Original Correspondence (MG11-CO42), vol. 498, microfilm reel B-379. Also, an abbreviated text of the reports was published (see Pamphlet 1876 in the National Archives Library).

A set of Blue Books of Statistics is available in the Colonial Office fonds, series CO 47, Canada, formerly British North America, Miscellanea (MG11-CO47), vols. 122-140, microfilm reels B-2903 to B-2907.

The maps are available on microfiche. Researchers are requested to use the microfiche for consultation and photoduplication purposes, as a protective conservation measure. Consult the collection-level record in A-G Canada to obtain the microfiche numbers.

As regards the Blue Books of Statistics, local officials reported to the Provincial Secretary and Registrar, who in turn compiled the summary returns. Correspondence and reports used by the Provincial Secretary and Registrar in compiling the Blue Books has been identified elsewhere in the holdings of Library and Archives Canada, notably in RG 4 (Records of the Civil and Provincial Secretaries, Quebec, Lower Canada and Canada East), series A1 and B34. Circular despatches from the Colonial Office providing instructions for the compilation of the Blue Books can be found in the Office of the Governor General of Canada fonds (R178, formerly RG 7), notably in the Despatches from the Colonial Office sub-series within the Correspondence with the Colonial Office series (see vol. 15, pp. 192-195 for 1826 and vol. 22, pp. 39-43 for 1831).