Catalogue description Records of the Directorate of Colonial Surveys and successors

The Directorate was formed in 1946 as the Directorate of Colonial Surveys. Its parent department was then the Colonial Office with finance provided under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts. Although systematic programmes of survey and mapping were envisaged to remedy the widespread lack of survey frameworks and topographical mapping in the colonies, these were almost immediately affected by urgent requirements for mapping to meet the need for development projects. Thus almost from the beginning of its existence DCS filled a role of providing development assistance for the local survey departments of the Colonial Empire.

In 1957 it was re-named Directorate of Overseas Surveys. In 1961 the Directorate formed part of the new Department of Technical Co-operation. As well as putting DOS formally within the structure of aid administration this also changed and improved the provision of finance with direct vote provision taking the place of CD and W schemes.

Finally in 1964, DOS became one of the special units of the new Ministry of Overseas Development, providing assistance in surveying and mapping to overseas countries by:

• i) carrying out field survey and mapping
• ii) arranging air photography
• iii) giving professional and technical advice on project feasibility
• v) supervising technical aspects of aid-financed projects
• vi) providing data and information service for consultants and developers etc in its unique technical libraries.

In 1970 it was transferred to the Overseas Development Administration on the creation of that department. Phased implementation of an arrangement to merge the Directorate of Overseas Surveys with the Ordnance Survey in Southampton beagan in 1984 to be completed by 31 March 1985. When functions passed to Ordnance Survey in 1984, it was re-named Overseas Directorate; and it was re-named for a third time in 1992, when it adopted the title of OS International. (Please Note: OS International closed in 2003 and the records are currently being appraised for permananent preservation).

Its functions have remained constant throughout its history and include field survey, mapping, aerial photography, and the provision of technical advice and training for surveyors and associated personnel in developing countries.