We hold the major correspondence series of the Surveyor General's Office (GRG 35/2).
The Surveyor-General's Office was part of the Lands Department, and reported to the Commissioner for Crown Lands and Immigration.
Most of the correspondence relates to the survey of land for settlement and mining.
Access conditions
Given the age of these records, most are available for general public access.
Indexes
Surveyor General's Office Correspondence 1838 - 1864
Index for GRG 35/2 Correspondence files ('SGO' files) - Surveyor General's Office, 1838-1847
Index for GRG 35/2 Correspondence files ('SGO' files) - Surveyor General's Office, 1848-1856
Index for GRG 35/2 Correspondence files ('SGO' files) - Surveyor General's Office, 1860-1864
These indexes are arranged chronologically.
You can use the year and file number to locate and order the record.
You can also make a Keyword Search on our ArchivesSearch catalogue for the files in this era.
Types of records
Correspondence files contain:
- letters and documents received by the Department
- memoranda of action taken
- reports or inquiries
- notes outlining the reply (nineteenth century) or copies of letters sent (twentieth century).
The correspondence focuses on matters requiring survey expertise:
- requests for dimensions of sections
- requests for water reserves
- requests for surveys and re-surveys
- and boundary disputes.