This paper aims to contribute to the existing research on historical information systems. The institutional history of the Directorate-General for Overseas Affairs, that was traced during the course in Historical Archival Science at Lisbon’s NOVA University (Universidade Nova de Lisboa), along with the archival management undertaken in the research project ‘Coast to Coast’ at the Overseas Historical Archives (Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino), formed the necessary link to study the Portuguese Colonial Public Works archival records. Through the characterisation of the Public Works Department by the Directorate-General for Overseas Affairs and its role and significance in the colonial administration dating back to 1835, it was possible to study the circumstances of architectural and engineering output and the use of the archival documents, thus enabling to explore several components of documented standardisation and possible classifications between 1880 and 1910.

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archival management,colonial archive,classification

This publication is an output of the following project(s):

• Architecture, Colonialism and Labour. The role and legacy of mass labour in the design, planning and construction of Public Works in former African territories under Portuguese colonial rule