Despatches from the Colonial Office [textual record]

(Electronic) Finding aid 7-1 is a typed set of chronological registers and alphabetical indexes for the Despatches, volumes 1-276, 402-437. These indexes are available on microfilm reels T-4164 to T-4169. 7-1 (90: Open)
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf002/7-1_126294_vols1-276_402-437.pdf

(Paper) Several finding aids provide varying levels of access to those records which are in CAB custody. The single most important, and the point of departure for any search, is the CAB RG 7 Shelf List (see RG 7, G1 section of the Shelf List). It provides a summary description of the records at the volume title level and correlates volume numbers to microfilm reel numbers. It also provides descriptions of the several finding aids - both those created by the National Archives (in particular the calendars and their indexes which were published in the Reports of the Public Archives of Canada, 1930-1938) and the registers and indexes generated contemporaneously with the despatches (and which constitute vols. 402-408 of the present sub-series) - which serve these records, as well as explanations of the relative utility of each. In addition, the CAB RG 7 Shelf List contains detailed instructions for the use of the contemporary registers and indexes in searching despatches by author, recipient, date, and subject. For records in CAB custody, see the CAB RG 7 Shelf List which describes a range of finding aids including MSS178, MSS690, MSS985 and various calendars published in Reports of the Public Archives of Canada, 1930-1938.

(Paper) Volumes 405-408 were shelved as finding aid MSS985 until September 1989. They contain both subject and nominal indexes as well as a register of despatches by number and date.

(Paper) Further as regards the contemporary registers and indexes in vols. 402-408, users should note that the despatches from the Colonial Office were, for the period 1851-1864, included in the registration of correspondence received . That is to say, records found elsewhere within this fonds (the registers in volumes 383-384 of the Registers and indexes sub-sub-series of the Civil Secretary's correspondence received sub-series of the Office of the Governor-in-Chief of the Province of Canada series) served a dual role of registering both correspondence received and despatches received. The registers in vols. 402-408 of the Despatches from the Colonial Office sub-series, however, are the preferred guide to those despatches (rather than the registers in the Registers and indexes sub-sub-series of the Civil Secretary's correspondence received sub-series of the Office of the Governor-in-Chief of the Province of Canada series, volumes 383-384 ), except for the period July 1852 to September 1854, for which only volume 383 provides access.

(Electronic) All or some of the documents described have been digitized and are available at the following address: (90: Open)
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_mikan_126294

(Electronic) Les documents décrits ont été complètement ou en partie numérisés et sont disponibles à l'adresse suivante : (90: Open)
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_mikan_126294?usrlang=fr