Survey Records of Renfrew County

The Value of Good Record Keeping

Local knowledge is what we offer.

Adam Kasprzak Surveying owns the only comprehensive collection of survey records of Renfrew County, with original copies dating to the early 1800s.

Strategic acquisitions of Sury OLS & Rowe OLS in 1996; and Patterson OLS & Goltz OLS in 2004, added to the company’s growing collection of survey records. With a consistent vision of preservation and compilation, the company has thoughtfully archived historic records to allow for their survival and efficient retrieval. The value of this information is paramount for the correctness and confidence in continuing the work we do for the Public.

Historic survey records are essential for an Ontario Land Surveyor to form a boundary opinion. Without proper research, a Surveyor cannot accept one piece of evidence and reject another. A full understanding of the sources of evidence, the reasoning of its origin, and sources for error; all of the why - who - when - where - how must be evaluated. With access to all of the available records of past surveys in the County, we have the privilege of gaining these valuable insights. The work we do builds on the collective legacy of those who have come before us.

In addition to archival survey records, we are strengthened by those of our staff members who have worked directly for previous OLS in the County. Whether to understand the records themselves, to recall complex boundary issues, or to explain the origins of Renfrew County’s many peculiarities; local knowledge is what we offer.

Our Future of Record Management

Our Survey Records have been organized and stored in a mix of filing cabinets and shelves for over 25 years. Many of the older records have been surviving in this form for well over 100 years. This system has satisfied the needs for previous users of this information, but as the future moves faster, we demand efficient and frictionless data-retrieval.

Digital record keeping is a large part of what we do; to ensure sufficient research for our own work, and to provide long-term value for our clients. Whether a client requires a CAD file from a project 20 years ago, or a new home owner is seeking an existing survey of their new property; We are able to respond to these requests in a timely manner by providing digital copies, historic information, or with confidence advise that no survey is available.

The manual process of sorting (1 min per record) has been automated, and reduced to 4-6 seconds.

Adam Kasprzak Surveying has been an early adopter of technologies and innovations in the survey industry. For as long as we have been in practice, we have been scanning and digitizing records into a computer database, as part of our long-term goal of reproducing all original survey information into a digital copy. We keep all original versions on site as a backup control measure.

Artificial Intelligence for Record Sorting

Our recent innovations in the field of record keeping, involve the use of Artificial Intelligence software, programmed entirely by our staff, to automate the process of reading, classifying and sorting newly scanned records (PDFs). The manual process of sorting records (requiring 1 min per record by staff) has been automated and reduced to 4-6 seconds per record by software. Staff intervene to perform quality control and sorting only of those unrecognized records (5-10%).

What’s Next ?

Most of the records that have not yet been scanned / imaged, are historic fieldnote books. These records present unique logistical challenges and require new hardware. We aim to invest in archival equipment designed specifically to archive hardcopy bound books without damaging the original versions.

Ontario Land Surveyors in our Collection

We maintain an organized collection of the following Surveyors’ fieldnotes and plans:

Click below for a Biography of each Ontario Land Surveyor

  • BELL, Andrew (1835-1912) was born at Toronto, Ont. on 21 December 1835. He graduated in 1853 in Arts from Queen's University, Kingston and obtained his commission to practice surveying in 1866, by which time he had begun his first major architectural project, a vast woolen mill complex for James Rosamond located in Almonte, Ontario. The complex was intended by its proprietor to be a completely self-contained and integrated manufacturing centre.

    From 1869 until 1885 Bell devoted much of his time to carrying out land surveys for the Dominion government, and served as engineer in charge of construction for several railway and canal projects in Ontario while continuing to work as an architect.

    In 1886 he began an architectural and engineering practice with Edward T. Wilkie of Almonte, with whom he collaborated on the Town Hall in Arnprior, Ont, 1888-89. He also served as clerk-of-works to Thomas Fuller, Chief Architect of the Department of Public Works, for the construction of the Post Office in Almonte, 1889-91 and for the Post Office in Carleton Place, Ont., 1890-92. Bell made extensive use of local building stone from the Almonte region in his designs, and delivered a lengthy paper on the subject to the Ontario Association of Architects in 1896. His essay, entitled 'Building Stones of Eastern Ontario' was 'based on forty years of experience both in engineering and architectural building' (C.A.B., ix, March 1896, 42-3).

    He died in Almonte on 22 October 1912 (obituary in the Perth Courier, 25 Oct 1912, l; biography in Ontario Land Surveyors Annual Report, 1913, 78, with portrait in 1918 Annual Report; W. Cochrane, Canadian Album - Men of Canada, 1894, iv, 235; inf. J. Dunn)

    More Info on J.L Morris, OLS

  • HERBERT JOHN BEATTY was born at Pembroke, in the County of Renfrew, on May 10th, 1872, born to Walter. And Jeannie Beatty. Brother, F. W. Beatty, Surveyor General of Ontario, Toronto.

    In 1896 he married Agnes V. McLaren of Renfrew.

    He graduated from the School of Practical Science in 1891 and having served his pprenticeship with the late David Beatty of Parry Sound, was admitted to practice in 1893. Between terms at the School of Science and later, he worked on location and construction for the C.P.R . .In 1895, he took over the surveying practice of the late Frank Purvis at Eganville, and continued there until 1911, when he moved to Pembroke and formed a partnership with the late J. W. Pierce, who had been apprenticed to him. This firm carried on extensive surveys in Northern Ontario and in the western provinces until the partnership was dissolved in 1919.

    Following the death of his father, he took over the planing mill and contracting business that had been carried on by his father in Pembroke. In 1923, his brother F. W. Beatty, joined him in the surveying practice, so that he could devote more time to his building and contracting interests. He was the general contractor for many of the larger buildings in Pembroke in recent years.

    He was an active member of the Association, having been a member of the Board of Examiners for over twenty years and president of the Association in 1918. He was one of the senior members and had only missed one annual meeting in forty-five years.

    He was an ardent fisherman, curler and golfer. He took an active part in civic and community projects, having served as Reeve in Eganville and on ·the Town Council at Pembroke. He also served on the local Hospital Committee.

    He was active in Masonry and had received his Fifty-Year Jewel from Bonnechere Lodge, where he had been Master in 1899.

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  • Frank Weldon Beatty (1892 - 1965) received his Ontario Land Surveyor’s licence in 1920. He eventually joined his brother Herbert, also an Ontario Land Surveyor, in private practice at Pembroke. They carried out extensive surveys in the Ottawa valley and northern Ontario. Beatty also participated in government affairs - holding the position of Pembroke's Mayor, and later, Surveyor General from 1946 until 1962. He died on 13 October 1965.

    More on F.W. Beatty OLS

  • JOHN PARNELL HOWE O.L.S., D.L.S., B.Sc., McGill, P.Eng.

    John Parnell Howe was born at Pembroke, Ontario, on February 15th, 1884 to Michael Howe of the Village of Birr in Tipperary, Ireland and Marie de Landrecie Howe of Jossim, Cedars, Quebec.

    He received his early educationat the Separate School and the High School in Pembroke and graduated

    from McGill ·University with his B.Sc. (Civil) in 1908. After graduation from McGill, he worked on the preliminary location of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway followed by some years as Resident Engineer on construction of the National Trans Continental Railway, west of Hearst.

    From 1910 to 1915 he was with the Engineering Department of the Canadian Pacific Railway working between Sudbury, Schreiber and White River. The next five years, 1915 to 1919 he was engaged in D.L.S. work in the Peace River District and in Manitoba. During this time he served apprenticeship to Mr. L. Brenot, D.L.S. and obtained his Dominion Land Surveyor's certificate.

    Mr. Howe was appointed Town Engineer of Pembroke in September 1919. He found time to study for his Ontario Land Surveyor's examinations and was granted his commission on 3rd May, 1921. He did some land survey work in the town but carried on as Town Engineer until retirement in July 1957 after which he continued in a consultant capacity.

    Professionally he stood high and enjoyed the esteem and affection of his contemporaries. He had an exceptional memory which was of great value to him in his work and gave him distinction as an authority on the history of Pembroke.

    In 1914 he married Lilian Catherine Bourke· of North Bay who predeceased him in 1944. Surviving his passing are a sister, Mrs. J. Bourke of North Bay; five sons, William J., Long Sault; David J., Kitchener; Gerald M., Ottawa; Myles A., Pembroke; J. Parnell, North Bay; and a daughter Catherine (Mrs. P. J. Walsh), Stratford. ·Mr. Howe died at his home in Pembroke on March 8th, 1958 and his :remains were interred in St. Columba Cemetery on March 11th.

    More Info on J.P Howe OLS

  • Biography not yet available.

  • Tony was a World World II Veteran of RRCAF, Former Owner and Operator of Bourne and Simpson Surveyor, Life long Legion Member and Avid Supporter of the Pembroke Lumber Kings for 50 years

    More Info on Anthony C. Bourne, OLS

  • Red was an Ontario Land Surveyor (No. 830), a Civil Engineer, the owner of E.W. Petzold Surveyors Ltd. and President of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors in 1973. Red proudly served as a Lancaster Pilot in WWII and his passion for flying continued throughout his life.

    More Info on E.W. Petzold, OLS

  • A master mariner and WW2 veteran in the Merchant Navy (1937-1945) Andy chronicled his life at sea in his book Head of Oak.

    After the war Andy with his wife Betty and sister and brother-in-law built and operated a fishing lodge in northern Ontario that still operates today.

    Later Andy had a successful career as an Ontario land surveyor until in 1962, he moved his family to southern California. Always guided by his strong environmental, political and social conscience Andy and Betty were both active in the 1960’s civil rights and anti-Vietnam movement.

    After several years in California Andy returned to Ontario to continue land surveying and in 1984 retired to Salt Spring Island.

    Editor and prolific writer Andy was the lyricist for the Salt Spring Raging Grannies for many years as well as a founding member of O.G.I.F.A. (Ometepe Coffee).

    World traveller, amateur musician and astronomer Andy was invited to teach astronomy to many high school classes in California.

    Andy was a lover of languages and all things Shakespearean a history buff and a community activist.

  • Alan was born June 24, 1926 in what was then known as Eastview, a suburb in the east part of Ottawa. In 1928, his father accepted a position as Plant Manager for EB Eddy Match Co. and the family moved to Pembroke, Ontario. During his formative and teenage years Alan excelled in both athletics and academics. In school he enjoyed such sports as basketball and hockey. In 1939 he received the E. A. Dunlop Award for outstanding academic achievement for all of Renfrew County. In 1942, he received the King George VI medal for marksmanship achieving a perfect score at the Connaught Ranges in Ottawa. In addition to this award, he was given the Galer Hagarty Memorial Prize for distinguishing himself in the cadet corps at Pembroke Collegiate. In 1944, Alan enlisted with the RCAF and trained as a Pilot Officer and Tail Gunner with the Commonwealth Flying Schools in Brantford and Port Albert, Ontario. When the RCAF disbanded in late 1944, he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Regiment at Peterborough, Ontario. He volunteered as a test subject in biological and chemical warfare at the National Research Council in Ottawa. Alan finished his war service as an ambulance driver in Halifax, Nova Scotia, ferrying the wounded from the hospital ships returning from Europe. After the war he returned to Pembroke and completed his high school education.

    In 1946, Alan and his new bride, Sally Shea moved to Haileybury, Ontario. Alan attended the Haileybury School of Mines and became a mine surveyor. He also worked for Ontario Hydro building the Des Joachims Dam at Rolphton, Ontario. In 1948 he went to work for OLS Associates William F. Beatty and Charles G. Taylor in Pembroke. During the 1950’s he worked for the Town of Pembroke. He articled under J. Parnell Howe, the town Engineer and studied for his Ontario Land Survey License through correspondence with the University of Toronto. Many times he would hitch-hike to Toronto to complete his exams. With a young family of four, for some this would be an impossible task, but with Sally’s support, Alan was able to reach his goal. He received his OLS designation in 1959. His number was 1038.

    In 1961 he joined forces with OLS Anthony C. Bourne (Tony) and subsequently, the partnership of Bourne and Simpson was formed. Together in 1964, they purchased a 210 building on the corner of Moffat and Isabella St. in Pembroke. They named their office the Champlain Building in honour of Samuel de Champlain, Canada’s first surveyor. Throughout the following 35 years or so, the business flourished. In 1996, the business was purchased by John Goltz from Perth, Ontario. Bourne and Simpson could boast one of the longest surviving partnerships in the Pembroke area.

    During these years Alan dedicated himself to his family, friends and community. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and many family ski trips. In the summers he and his family enjoyed cottage life at Lake Clear near Eganville, Ontario. He was a long standing Rotarian and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship for service to his community. He was also a long standing member of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church. In later years, he was challenged with failing health but not spirit. Until his last breath, he demonstrated an unparalleled sense of humour and incredible wit. Alan was very close to his friends and family who in his last years rallied around him to make this time a memorable one. Alan was predeceased by daughter, Mary Jane (1953) and leaves behind his wife Sally of 66 years, one daughter and five sons. To his ten grandchildren he will always be known affectionately as Pampy. Alan passed on March 17, 2012.

    More on A.J. Simpson OLS

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