The search results will be posted as a results summary list (or hit list) from which you will be able to obtain more detailed descriptions.
Results Summary List
The results summary list, sorted by column, contains information that will allow users to assess whether or not the documents that were found are relevant. Information within square brackets has been supplied by staff at the Library and Archives of Canada and is based on clues found on the map, plan, or chart. Each page of the list provides 20 references (this default value can be changed). Users can export the results to diskette or download to their own personal computer.
The first column is linked to the detailed description (see below). Clicking on the icon will bring you to the detailed description.
The Author column provides the name of the individual(s) and/or corporate body that is credited with creating the map, plan or chart.
The Title column provides the title of the map, plan, or chart; in some cases it will be abbreviated. The complete title appears in the detailed description.
The Date column provides the map's exact or approximate date.
A cross-mark under the Available On-line column indicates that a digitized copy of the map, plan, or chart is included with the detailed description.
Detailed Description
From the results summary list, you may consult one detailed
description at a time. Some of the descriptions will contain
a thumb-size image that can be expanded to see a more detailed
image of the map, plan, or chart. These images have been compressed
using MrSID (Multi-resolution Seamless Image Database) software.
The first time you request an image, your computer will prompt
you to download a free plug-in for your browser called MrSID
(you will only be prompted if this plug-in is not already
installed). Please note that depending on your internet connection
speed this process could take up to five minutes to download.
MrSID will allow you to view the image and magnify portions
of it without any loss of resolution. Researchers should consult
our help document for using MrSID
for further information on this browser plug-in.
Researchers should note that when they click on a second or third page, the new images will be retrieved to a second browser window. Please note that this second browser will not maximize automatically and the user will have to maximize the browser from his/her Taskbar.
The detailed description includes all or some of the sections described below. If the information seems insufficient or unclear – for example, because of misspellings or other errors – users should contact Reference Services at the Library and Archives of Canada for more information.
Title:
This is the complete title appearing on the map, plan, or chart. Usually, the title has been transcribed exactly as it appears in order to maintain the language, wording, order, and spelling (but not necessarily the punctuation and capitalization). Earlier forms of letters (e.g., ƒ = ss) and earlier forms of diacritical marks have been transcribed to their modern form. More specific title information is sometimes provided in square brackets by archival staff and is based on information that appears on the item.
Date:
This is the date of publication, distribution, printing, copyright, etc. Dates enclosed in square brackets do not appear on the item but have been inferred by staff from other sources. Double dates, for example 1755 (1803), indicate that an item was re-published. The first date indicates the first date of publication, and the second date indicates when the item was republished. The term n.d. refers to items for which no date can be assigned.
Author:
This is the name of the creator of the document (if known). It may be an individual or a corporate body. Author information enclosed in square brackets indicates that the information can not be found in a statement on the item itself and has been taken from other sources.
Surveyed By:
Often a map's creator, surveyor, draftsman, engraver and printer were different individuals or corporate bodies and are identified as such on the map. If the name of the surveyor was recorded on the map, the information is sometimes noted in this field.
Drafted By:
Often a creator, surveyor, draftsman, engraver and printer were different individuals or corporate bodies and are identified as such on the map, plan, or chart. If the name of the draftsman was recorded on the map, the information is sometimes noted in this field.
Other Signees:
Sometimes a creator, surveyor, draftsman, engraver and printer were different individuals or corporate bodies and are identified as such on the map, plan, or chart. If individuals other than the author, surveyor, and draftsman are noted, the names are sometimes recorded in this field.
Microfiche Number:
Most of the maps, plans, and charts listed in this database have been reproduced in black and white (and some in colour) onto a single, large-format (105 mm), microfiche. Each microfiche is given a unique number with the prefix "NMC". This "NMC" number can use to order photographic reproductions and/or digital images. The "NMC" number should be included by authors and publishers in their credit line (for example, credit: Library and Archives of Canada, NMC-123456). This number, along with the call number and title, should also be used when placing a request to consult original documents or when ordering reproductions.
C Number:
In the past, some maps, plans, and charts were photographed in black and white using a high-quality, large-format, film and the negatives were assigned a "C" number. This number, along with the title, call number, and microfiche number, should be included in orders for black and white prints. In cases where there is no existing "C" number or negative, black and white prints can be made from the microfiche.
Accession Number:
This is an administrative control number assigned to individual items or a group of documents acquired by the Library and Archives of Canada at a specific time and from the same source.
Source:
Not all the items featured in this catalogue are original documents. Some of the maps, plans and charts consist of photographic copies of original documents held by other institutions. In such cases, the institution holding the original item is noted in this field. In other instances, this field is used to note the original atlas or book from which a plate may have been removed.
Subject:
This field sometimes notes the subject matter of a map.
Insets & Views:
If smaller maps and views exist within a larger map or chart, the area name and/or subject matter or title of the inset or view is sometimes noted in this field.
Scale:
This is a graduate measurement that indicates the relationship between distances on the map, plan, or chart and the corresponding distance on the ground. Sometimes the scale will be expressed as a representative fraction (e.g., 1 : 100,000); other times it is expressed as it appears on the original document (e.g., 1 inch equals 1 mile; 1 inch to 80 chains; 6 toises au pouce).
Dimensions:
This field notes the dimensions (length by width) of the map, plan, or chart. In some cases dimensions are expressed in inches; in other cases in centimetres. The information is not available for all documents in the collection.
Description:
This field describes some of the map's basic elements: published or unpublished; with or without colour; original or reproduction; etc. The information is not available for all maps, plans, or charts in the collection.
Call Number:
This number allows the Library and Archives of Canada to locate the original map, plan, or chart and should be included, along with the microfiche number and title, in requests to consult original documents.
Restrictions:
This field provides researchers with information on any restrictions that might exist concerning access to original documents and/or the use of original maps, plans, or charts and their images. For conservation reasons, some original documents cannot be copied or examined. As well, in cases where the Library and Archives of Canada owns only a photographic reproduction of an original item held in another archival institution, the map, plan or chart may be consulted (and in some cases copied) for research purposes only. If researchers should wish to use the item for any other purpose, they should obtain the permission of the institution that owns the original item.
Copyright:
This field provides researchers with information on the copyright of the original map, plan, or chart.
