Research

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of a card file index divided into two complete alphabetical sections (A-Z). The cards are apparently part of an unidentified main index or cross reference file dating from the Barge Canal period. Although the origin or purpose of the file is unknown, the cards appear to refer to subject files arranged according to a numerical scheme, and are most probably part of the administrative files kept by the Department of Public Works. It is not clear how the two sections relate to one another.

Subjects referenced include: canals; construction and maintnance projects; personnel (sometimes with address and title); meetings; monitoring data; civil service matters; boundaries and blue lines; canal structures of all kinds; contracts (by number); companies (presumed vendors or contractors); and names of (presumed) correspondents. They apparently do not refer to specific field books or maps by number.

Cards measure 3" x 5" and information is typed (cards in section 2 from manuscript notes that appear along the bottom of the card). They are undated. A stamped reference number appears at the upper left corner of each card; the numbers run into the 1100s.