Card file index to field books of Erie Canal construction and enlargement
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Overview of the Records
New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
0.5 cubic feet
ca. 1700 cards
Arrangement
Roughly chronological or by type of work or structure.
Scope and Content Note
The series consists of a card file indexing field books of Erie Canal construction and enlargements. Workers commonly used the term "field books" to refer to work done in the field in estimating, surveying, or maintaining the canals. This index was probably kept by the Office of the State Engineer and Surveyor.
Cards show date, type or location of work, and a reference to the book number(s) and its location (by case and section). There are headings in the index for the following (dates are approximate): canal enlargements and repairs (1836-1862); lengthening of locks (1880s-1898); second canal enlargement (1895-1898); court of claims surveys (1876-1897); canal improvement (1874-1894); monthly estimates; and work on specific structures (aqueducts, bridges, locks, walls, etc).
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.