Between 1626 and 1760, at least 78 surveyors were active in the colony to define the boundaries of seigniories (see box) and land plots within them. Most of this work was performed in compliance with the orders issued by the different colony administrators. At the time, no organization was responsible for overseeing this work.

Part of the documents relating to these surveying activities can be found in the surveying archives of the Bureau de l'arpenteur général, at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, or at the National Archives of Canada, in Ottawa.

The Seigniorial System Under the French regime, land was divided according to the seigniorial system. As of 1626, the government divided the land into fees or seigniories and awarded them to the highest bidders. These bidders, who had thus become lords, then awarded lots to the peasants and farmers who applied for them. These people farmed the seigniory land and paid fees to the lord. Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia Plus