Surveyor General's Crown Plans, 1792-1886
Historical background | About the Index | Feedback
The Select List of Maps and Plans describes the Surveyor General's maps and plans (Crown plans) that we hold. It contains the earliest surveys of New South Wales including those of towns and villages, squatting districts, counties and parishes, roads, rivers, mountain ranges, and explorers' expeditions. These plans are also known as Crown plans.
Historical background
In his Rules and Regulations for the Surveyor General's Office, 16 Apr 1828, NRS 13932 [5/2700], Surveyor General Thomas Mitchell set apart a small room on the upper floor of the Surveyor General's Office for:
the arrangement of all maps in alphabetical order for the better preservation of the order which is essential for the purpose of ready reference...
Mitchell also directed that:
The Chief draftsman will...take care that the new plans sent in from time to time are entered in the alphabetical list and placed in the map room according to the letter and number to be marked on each with reference to the list.
About the Index
The index was compiled using two publications prepared by State Records' staff.
Surveyor General: Select list of maps and plans, 1792-1886
The Select List was compiled from a list prepared by the Lands Department prior to the transfer of those maps and plans to the then Archives Office. The maps and plans described are arranged within alphabetical divisions and listed by the catalogue number that appears in:
NRS 13870, Catalogue of maps and plans, 1792-1887
The 'Map number' assigned by State Records is also shown. This number should be used when requesting the maps or plans in the reading room. Where this number does not appear, the item was either retained by the Lands Department or was not available at the time of transfer.
Surveyor General: Select list of maps and plans, 1792-1886 Supplement
The supplement describes those Surveyor General's Maps and plans not included in the above publication.
Record series included in this index
NRS 13859 Crown Plans [Surveyor General], 1792-1880
This series includes the earliest surveys of New South Wales including those of towns and villages, squatting districts, counties and parishes, roads, rivers, mountain ranges and maps of explorers' expeditions.
Accessing the records
Copies of most of the Surveyor General's Select List of Maps and Plans can be viewed in our reading room.
There is a photocopy service available from this Index. You will see an 'Add to Cart' tickbox option on the search results page(s).
Feedback
We would appreciate any feedback and suggestions you may have on using the Index.
