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British Columbia is the only province on the Pacific Ocean, and has a population of about four million people. It became a province in 1871. The province is made up of two former British colonies -- British Columbia and Vancouver Island. The major cities are Vancouver and Victoria on the coast, and Kelowna, Kamloops and Prince George in the Interior.
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Shortcuts Vital statistics index -- Deaths to 1987, Births to 1903, Marriages to 1932 One search, dozens of databases: That's My Family / Voici Ma Famille 1881 census: FamilySearch 1901 census: BCGS | Ancestry.ca | Automated Genealogy 1911 census: Ancestry.ca | Automated Genealogy | Library and Archives Canada Cemeteries: BCCFA | Vancouver -- Mountain View | Victoria -- Ross Bay Kamloops -- Pleasant Street | Prince George | Vernon | Abbotsford (PDF) Wills 1860s-1940 (PDF) | Stray wills 1860s-1939 (PDF) Crown Land Grant Search 1869-1930 More about Ancestry.ca The National page lists the best sources that cover most or all of Canada. The top sites for genealogy British Columbia Archives This is a superb site, with vital events, maps, photos and more. It includes lists of probate documents as well -- just search under Textual Records for the person you're looking for. British Columbia Archives -- Vital Statistics Find deaths up to 20 years ago, marriages up to 75 years ago, and births up to 1903. That's My Family / Voici Ma Famille This search tool enables you to check dozens of databases from across Canada at one time. It is free of charge and available in French and in English. It leads to genealogy and family history databases hosted by federal, provincial or territorial archives centres and libraries, or by other partners. Index to the 1901 census A searchable database provided by the British Columbia Genealogical Society. Census Indexes on British Columbia GenWeb Includes 1881 and 1891 indexes for Vancouver Island, plus 1871 and 1901 for Victoria. These indexes are the result of a superb amount of effort -- they include birth, marriage and death information, as well as additional facts from a variety of sources. 1881 and 1891 Census of Vancouver Island Searchable database for the 1881and 1891 census of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. Also includes the 1882 and 1892 directories for Nanaimo and Victoria. Southern Interior Census Data Searchable data from various census databases including Yale District 1881 and 1891, Indian Reserve Commission Census 1877 and OMI Census 1877. Crown Grant Search An index for grants issued between 1869 and 1930, providing volume, grant and numbers of the microfilm reels at the B.C. Archives. British Columbia GenWeb Superb collection! With many resources collected over the past decade, as well as links to regional and local GenWeb sites. Records of note include census indexes, a list of voters from 1898, and much more. British Columbia Cemetery Finding Aid Search through more than 344,000 burials from all areas of B.C. Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver An alphabetical listing from the largest city in the province. City of Victoria Archives Includes vital statistics database (Ross Bay Cemetery plus marriage notices) as well as references to many documents. Langley's Cemeteries Enjoy a virtual tour of the Township of Langley's two oldest cemeteries, Fort Langley Cemetery and Murrayville Cemetery. Search more than 10,000 records. Cemeteries in the Vernon area On the website of the Vernon and District Family History Society, including communities such as Armstrong and Enderby. Prince George Cemetery Use the plot search feature to obtain information by date or by name. Pleasant Street Cemetery, Kamloops On the web site of the Kamloops Family History Society. Cemetery Index -- Abbotsford area The Abbotsford Genealogical Society has compiled an index to eight cemeteries in the city of Abbotsford and one in Sumas, Wash. Index to wills 1860s-1960 There are two indexes, both in PDF format, to wills of residents and wills of strays. Provided by the Abbotsford Genealogical Society. Western Canadian directories on the Internet Use these online resources to fill in the gaps between census years. British Columbia Geographical Names Information System Searchable database of B.C. place names, including a display of digital maps. Victoria's Victoria Focuses on Victoria during the reign of Queen Victoria, and includes a remarkable transcript of the Daily Colonist from 1858 to the 1920s. Doukhobor Genealogy Website The primary internet source connecting researchers of Doukhobor genealogy. This site is dedicated to the reclamation, discovery, collection, preservation and free sharing of information related to Doukhobor family history. Archives and libraries British Columbia Archival Union List A searchable database of fonds and collection level descriptions of records held at 174 publicly-accessible archival repositories. University of British Columbia Library Digital Collections and Services A vast collection of photographs and documents that represent a superb primary source for researchers. New Westminster Public Library - Genealogy and local history Special sections on genealogy and heritage buildings, with a superb collection of photographs of one of the most important cities in B.C.'s history. Surrey Public Library -- Genealogy collection The Cloverdale branch houses the library's extensive collection of Canadian genealogical materials. The website has detailed information on current book and microform holdings. City of Vancouver Archives The City of Vancouver Archives, a division of the City Clerk's Department, is responsible for acquiring, organizing and preserving Vancouver's historical records and making them available to the widest possible audience. City of Richmond Archives Search the full archives database, or follow the links to other resources Saanich Archives The largest municipality on southern Vancouver Island Legislative Library The core collection consists of political science, parliamentary procedure, law, public administration, economics and Canadian history. Search the collection online Langley Centennial Museum owned and operated by the Township of Langley, its collections date back to the 1920's. A collection of over 1,200 archival photographs, 8,500 objects, and 500 works of art are searchable online. University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University and University of British Columbia libraries Search the online catalogues to find additional resources that are not available elsewhere. Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch, Special Collections Many resources here, including Northwest history collections, Vancouver building register, historical photographs, indexes and finding aids. Chinese Canadian Genealogy A special section on the Vancouver Public Library website. Anglican Church Archives Network in British Columbia Listing of archival holdings on the B.C. Archival Union List. Family History Center, Victoria Centre is at Mann and Wilkinson in Saanich. Genealogical societies British Columbia does not have one society that covers the entire province. It's important to find a society that covers your area of interest. Greater Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Fraser Valley: Abbotsford Genealogical Society British Columbia Genealogical Society Jewish Genealogical Institute of British Columbia Mennonite Historical Society of B.C. Powell River Genealogy Group Vancouver Island: Campbell River Genealogy Society Comox Valley Family History Group Nanaimo Family History Society Qualicum Beach Family History Society Victoria Genealogical Society Interior: Bulkley Valley Genealogical Society Kamloops Family History Society Kelowna and District Genealogical Society Kitimat Family History Society Okanagan Historical Society Prince George Genealogical Society Prince Rupert Genealogy Club South Cariboo Genealogy Society South Okanagan Genealogical Society Vernon and District Family History Society |
Now available at Interlink Bookshop Finding Your Canadian Ancestors By Sherry Irvine and Dave Obee |