Series consists of records maintained in various headquarters central registry systems. The original central registry system for Indian Affairs headquarters records was established in 1872. At this time a straight numeric file list (Red Series), typical of 19th century registry systems, was set up. In 1882 a separate series (Black Series) was set up for Manitoba, the North-West Territories, British Columbia and the Maritime Provinces. In 1907 records relating to the Maritime Provinces were transferred to the Red Series. This registry system was largely abandoned in 1923 but occasional new files were opened in it until 1947. In 1923 new filing systems were introduced at department headquarters. The two principal ones were duplex numeric systems (the "First Series" and the "Thousand Series"). However, in addition to these systems, the Department headquarters also maintained separate file classification systems for "School Files", for "Land Sales", and for "Engineering and Construction". It should be underlined that these file classification systems were in use at departmental headquarters but were not employed routinely in field offices. The latter maintained other methods of records control, often unique to a particular office. In 1950 a shift was made to a modified duplex numeric system. The new classification system was introduced at both headquarters and field offices with the result that, for the first time, the Department had a truly uniform subject file classification system in place throughout the country. The modified duplex numeric system was employed until the mid-1980s, at which time the Department adopted a Block Numeric classification system (often referred to informally as the "E" system because of the letter "E" which appears as a prefix to each file number and which distinguishes a file as relating to the Indian and Inuit Affairs Program). All these file classification systems are reflected in the records described below. When the Department abandoned one classification system for another, files which dealt with issues still active in the Department were brought forward and integrated into successor file classification systems. Therefore, documents which began their life as part of a file maintained in one record keeping system may now be found in files of successor file classification systems. See sub-series "Central Registry Office, Indexes to Headquarters Records" (vols. 10884-10887) for tools which facilitate the tracing of files from one classification system to the next.
Each sub-series has its own particular finding aid(s). These may exist in various formats (paper, microform, CD-ROM, automated), depending upon the individual sub-series. In addition most, but not all, of the sub-series described within this series can be searched collectively, rather than by their individual finding aids, using the National Archives automated public access tool, ArchiviaNet. For a number of years before the introduction of ArchiviaNet, microfiche finding aids 10-128 and 10-129 (KWOC - Keyword Out Of Context - indexes) provided a consolidated search capability for some, but not all, of the sub-series which make up the Central Registry System series. These microfiche finding aids have now been superseded by ArchiviaNet . They are mentioned here only because copies were acquired by many researchers and institutions and may still be in use outside the National Archives. In addition, a subject block list exists as finding aid 10-16, which can be used with finding aid 10-128., Plans and drawings consist of survey plans relating to Indian Reserve 38B, Kenora Agency; maps and plans of Indian reserves in eastern Canada; a diagram shewing position of buildings and physicians residence, Tuscarora Indian Reserve, county of Brant, Ontario; plans in the negotiation of Indian Treaty 8; maps and plans of Indian reserves in western Canada; Grand Trunk Pacific Railway plans showing rights-of-way through Se-As-Bunkut Indian Reserve No. 2 and Stel-La-Quo Indian Reservation; and a map of British Columbia, being a geographical division of the Indians of the province according to their nationality and dialect.
