Family History Research Resources at the BC Archives
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Selected Resources
2.1 Published Material
2.2 Historical Records, Manuscripts, and Government Records
2.2.1 Government Records
2.2.2 Non-Government Records (Private Papers)
2.3 Newspapers
2.4 Sound Recordings
2.5 Moving Images
2.6 Photographs, Paintings, Drawings, and Prints
2.7 Cartographic Records
3.0 Other Guides and Resources
An important source of information for those involved in family history research is the British Columbia Archives. Its holdings include government records, maps, newspapers, as well as personal, family, and other non-governmental records. Researchers who familiarize themselves with the BC Archives' holdings and how to access them will find their search for information more rewarding. Following is an outline of some of the resources available.
The BC Archives has an extensive library of published works dealing with British Columbia and Pacific Northwest history, politics, government, natural history, and ethnography. The library's holdings can be searched online.
Handbooks on Genealogical Research
Guides to doing family history research and to resources can be found by searching "genealogy" and "handbooks" as a Match All Words (AND) keyword search or as a subject in Advanced Search.
Family Histories
Family histories are best searched for under the name of a specific family, e.g. Rogers family.
Cemetery Listings
Mostly compiled by volunteers, these listings cover a large number of cemeteries throughout the province and may include transcriptions as well as dates. Search the online library catalogue with the truncated keyword "cemeter?" together with location or by the name of the cemetery. The BC Cemetery Finding Aid database can assist in determining place of interment.
BC City and Provincial Business Directories
These directories list businesses, individuals, and individuals and occupations. Many of them have been microfilmed. Consult the Directories binders on top of the microfilm cabinets in the Reference Room for listings of holdings. The Vancouver Public Library has digitized copies of selected BC city directories from 1860-1901 on their website. Wrigley's BC Directories for 1918-1922 can be found as Internet Archive texts.
BC Telephone Directories
Consult the Guide to BC Telephone Directories binder in the Reference Room to determine our holdings as will as the directories in which a specific community is listed.
Crockford's Clerical Directory (Anglican) NW283 C938
1860 - . BC Archives has 1868, 1896, 1910-14, 1916-18, 1920-22, 1923-27, 1929-36, 1941, 1947-50, and 1953-68. This source and the Clergy List cited below provide information on members of the Anglican clergy.
Clergy List (Anglican) NW283 C629
1841-1917. BC Archives has 1882 and 1911-1916.
Army/Navy/Militia Lists
BC Archives has Navy List, 1806-1975 (NW 359 N326n); Royal Navy List, 1879-1916 (NW359 R888r); Mercantile Navy List, 1857-1977 (NW359 M553); Army List, 1789-1976 (NW355 M789), Canada Militia List, 1867-1925 (NW355 C212); Canada Defence Forces List, 1934-1939 (NW355 C212d). Lists include name, rank and date of birth. Holdings are not complete.
Nominal Roll of Officers, N.C.O.s & Men, CEF NW355 C212 vols. 1-24
List of World War I officers and enlisted men of the Canadian Expeditionary Force by battalion. In addition to name and rank, additional information such as name and address of next of kin, country and date of birth, and former corps, may be given. For an index to CEF personnel files at Library and Archives Canada and digital images of attestation papers see the Soldiers of the First World War database.
Canadian Who's Who Ref NW920 C212 and Index Ref NW920 C212c
1910 to date (irregular until 1981, then annual). BC Archives has 1910, 1917, 1936-1939, and 1948-90. Index covers 1898-1984.
Who's Who in British Columbia NW920 W628b
1931, 1933-34, 1937-39, 1940-41, 1942-43, 1944-46, 1947-48, 1949-50, 1953, 1969.
Who's Who in Who's Whos: An Index to Biographical Dictionaries of British Columbians Ref NW920 W628m
This publication is a good place to start when looking for individuals in biographical dictionaries. See also Index of Deaths 1901-1939 and Index of Marriages 1901-1939 (by groom and by bride) as recorded in the Victoria Times as well in BC biographical dictionaries, 1890-1953.
BC Voters' Lists (by provincial electoral district)
BC Archives has 1874-1983 (some gaps). Under the Elections Act, lists less than 25 years old are not open to the public. In addition to names, the lists provide information on occupation and address (for urban areas) or community (for rural locations). Researchers need to know where the individual resided in order to determine the proper electoral district. Although names are listed alphabetically by polling stations within each electoral district, there is no comprehensive list or index. For the larger urban ridings such as Vancouver and Victoria with a large number of polling stations (identified only by number), city directories can be used to help identify a more precise location. Note that women could not vote until 1917 and various groups were disenfranchised prior to 1952 (see Electoral History of British Columbia, p.530).
Electoral History of British Columbia 1871-1986 NW324.1 B862e
Results, party affiliation, and names of the the candidates are included in the election results. There is also an alphabetical list of the successful candidates (with election dates). Available online together with the 1987-2007 supplement. The Electoral History can be used to identify relevant Statement of Votes (NW324.711 B862s) which provide the occupation of each candidate. BC candidates for federal elections can be searched on the History of Federal Ridings since 1867 database.
Canadian Parliamentary Guide NW328.71 C214 and NW328.71 C214a
1862 to date. BC Archives has 1862-1912 (Microfiche NW328.71 C214a) and 1912-1994 (NW328.71 C214). Includes brief biographies of federal MPs and provincial MLAs.
British Columbia Gazette NW 320.05 B862
BC Archives has 1863-1980. This publication includes notices of government appointments, land grants and leases, licenses etc. For the Canada Gazette (1841-1997), which will cover federal activities, including appointments, in BC see the Library and Archives database.
British Columbia Public Accounts NW336.71 B862p and D-30
1872 to date. BC Archives has 1880-1997. Also available in BC Sessional Papers (Microfilm D-30). Public Accounts prior to 1951 provide not only the names and remuneration of persons employed but also the position held or the service provided. From 1951 to 1954 names are listed by vote with only the position of the person in charge identified. Starting in 1954 names are listed alphabetically by Department (later Ministry) or Agency. More recent Public Accounts limit employee listings to those with salaries exceeding a specified minimum amount.
British Columbia Public Schools (Department of Education) Annual Reports NW371.0171 B862 and D-31
1872 to date. BC Archives has 1872-1945 (NW371.0171), 1872-1950 (Microfilm D-31) and 1872-1982 in the BC Sessional Papers. This source includes the names of teachers and information about schools.
British Columbia Department of Mines Annual Reports NW971.35 B862a and D-86
1874 to date (reports issued under various names). BC Archives has 1874-1977 and indexes covering 1874-1964 (NW971.35 B862a), 1874-2001 (Microfiche Df-86) and 1874-1982 in the BC Sessional Papers. The reports and indexes can also be found online. Older reports in particular include the names of individuals killed or injured in the mining industry.
Researchers seeking historical records, manuscripts, and government records can search the online databases (Textual Records and Fonds Descriptions) and the old, pre-1975 card catalogue in the Reference Room. Some of the contents of the catalogue have been entered into the Fonds Descriptions. Generally, the main entries in the catalogues are based on the name of the organization or individual that produced the record.
Many of the Textual Records descriptions include finding aids which provide a detailed description of the contents and allow researchers to narrow their search to particular parts of large record series. Researchers may also wish to consult the government records binders located on top of the card catalogues and organized by ministry or agency.
Birth, marriage and death records
British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency (Births, Marriages and Deaths)
Death Registrations GR-2951 (events over 20 years old)
Marriage Registrations GR-2962 (events over 75 years old)
Birth Registrations GR-2965 (events over 120 years old)*
An index is accessible online through the Vital Events Indexes page on the BC Archives web site that provides basic data (names, date, place) for historical marriage, death, and birth events open to the public and provides researchers with the index information necessary to view a copy of the original on microfilm. The microfilm collection is available at the BC Archives, and at several other locations, including public libraries and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) through the Church's local Family History Centers. Individuals may view the microfilm at the BC Archives and other repositories or order rolls through the LDS Family History Centers.
Birth registrations are available 120 years following the date of birth, marriage registrations are available 75 years after the date of marriage, and death registrations are available 20 years after the date of death. Release of these records is consistent with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The index is updated and records are released on an annual* basis.
*Note: Repositories which acquired birth registrations microfilm after 2004 are limited by the 120-year limit imposed in 2004 and will have reels covering 1854-1889 in 2010. Repositories with reels to 1903 will not receive an update until 2025.
British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency (Divorces)
From 1935 to 1985 the Vital Statistics Branch collected certified copies of final divorce decrees from BC court registries. Those from ca. April 1935 to mid 1983 were microfilmed and are available at the BC Archives (GR-3255). An index was created for divorces from 1901-1983 and is also available on microfilm at the Archives (GR-3254). For information on how to search these records see the reference guide.
Colonial Secretary Pre-Confederation Marriage Records (Colonial Marriages 1859-1872) GR-3044
Copies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia pre-confederation marriage records submitted to the Colonial Secretary by clergy, 1859-1872. An online index is available as one of the Genealogy Indexes. The volumes contain certified copies of marriage certificates, or returns of marriages, submitted by clergy of various, but not all, denominations. The most notable absence is that of the Church of England (Anglican Church). These records, which are not indexed, can be found in MS-0520.
Census records
Canada Census Office, Manitoba and Red River, 1832-1847, 1849, 1856, 1870 GR-2017
On microfilm (reel B00396). For a list of enumeration districts consult the finding aid.
Canada Census Office, British Columbia, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 GR-0469, GR-0288, GR-2927, GR-3261
A census attempts to record information about every individual in a given area and is therefore of immense value to genealogists. The BC Archives has the British Columbia portions of each census on microfilm. Consult the finding aids for reel numbers. These censuses are available online at Library and Archives Canada (LAC). A database of census records for Vancouver Island and parts of mainland British Columbia for 1881, 1891 and 1901 also exists and includes an 1871 municipal census for Victoria. Guides are available for each census and include information about available indexes, both online and printed.
Land records
Crown Land Grant Records, 1851-1930
Crown Land Grants, 1851-1874 GR-3139
Crown Land Grants, 1869-1930 GR-3097
Crown Land Grant Indexes, 1869-1930 GR-3096
Crown Land Auctioneers' Agreements, 1899-1914 GR-3140
Crown grants were routinely issued by the Province of British Columbia to convey surface, subsurface, and other rights.
The BC Archives has a copy of the above Crown land grant records on microfilm. The records were microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah and are also available through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) local Family History Centers. An electronic index of the 1860-1930 Crown land grants is available through the Historic Crown Grant Search. The index can be used to obtain volume and grant number as well as the BC Archives microfilm reel number for the record. The index was created by volunteers from the West Coast Family Histories Society. Note that not all crown grant information is included in these records.
British Columbia Department of Lands Pre-emption Records to 1970 GR-0112 and others
GR-0112 contains information on name of pre-emptor, date, and description of the land. Consult "Government Records Relating to Crown Lands in British Columbia" in Binder 15 in the Reference room. There is an incomplete card index by name of pre-emptor. The Crown Lands Grants Index (GR-3096) and the Historic Crown Grant Search can be used to locate completed pre-emptions. See Lands Records Guide and Preemption and Homestead Guide for more information about pre-emption and homestead records. See also Crown Land Grant Records above.
British Columbia Surveyor of Taxes (Assessment Rolls), 1876-1948 (incomplete) GR-1999
The information given concerns owners of property, not necessarily residents. Use the finding aid in the Reference Room to determine taxation district before referring to the microfilm reel list.
Canada Department of Interior, Dominion Lands Branch, 1885-1930 GR-0436
On microfilm. Includes correspondence and applications to homestead in the Railway Belt and Peace River Block. Names of applicants can be searched on the finding aid.
Immigration records
Canada Department of the Interior, Immigration Branch, Central Registry Files GR-1547
Copies on microfilm of Library and Archives Canada (LAC) records relating to BC. Includes records which deal with Asian immigration, child immigration and Doukhobor settlements in BC as well as registers of Chinese immigration at the Port of New Westminster, 1887-1908, and headquarters registers of Chinese immigrants and residents, 1885-1903. Consult the subject index in the hard copy finding aid in the Reference Room.
Canada Department of the Interior, Immigration Branch, Ships' Passenger Lists, 1900-1922 (Vancouver and Victoria) GR-1739
Copies on microfilm of Library and Archives (LAC) records relating to BC. Passenger lists were the official immigration documents until 1935. The lists are organized by port and date of arrival and contain information such as the name, age, country of origin, occupation and destination of each passenger. An LAC database, Ships passenger lists 1865-1922, provides access to passenger lists for Canadian ports, including Vancouver and Victoria for 1900-1922. It can be searched by name of ship, port and date. A related database indexes the names of Home Children (1869-1930) found in LAC records, including passenger lists. See also NW929.7311 B862d (Victoria ships' passenger departures, 1859-1861) and NW929.3711 V645 (Victoria ships' passenger lists, 1858-1861 arrivals).
Canada Department of the Interior, Immigration Branch, Border Entry Lists, 1908-1918 GR-1918
Copies on microfilm of Library and Archives Canada (LAC) records relating to BC. Border entry records document the entry of persons into Canada as immigrants, visitors, persons in transit and returning Canadians.
Naturalization records see under Court, Coroner, and Police Records
Court, coroner and police records
British Columbia Attorney General (Coroner's Records 1859-1970)
The contents of these records is often of a sensitive nature, and may include autopsy reports, photographs, jury findings and police reports. Access restrictions may apply. See the reference guide for more information.
British Columbia Attorney General (Court Records ca. 1849-1990)
Records of civil and criminal proceedings. Holdings of both records and indexes are incomplete and vary from court registry to court registry. The "Court Records Guide" in Binder 7B is out of date but is a useful starting point. Some court records finding aids have nominal lists. Access restrictions may apply. For wills and probate records see below. For divorce records see the divorce reference guide.
British Columbia Attorney General (Wills, 1861-1981)
An index to probated wills for the province and to wills and probate records for Victoria. See the wills reference guide for more information.
British Columbia Attorney General (Probate Case Files ca. 1861-1990)
Court records relating to the probate of an estate, with or without a will. Holdings of both records and indexes are incomplete and vary from court registry to court registry. See the probate reference guide for more information.
British Columbia Attorney General (Naturalization and Citizenship Records ca. 1859-1966)
Mostly County Court records, consisting of indexes, record books, registers of certificates, notices of intention to apply, etc. Coverage is incomplete with no records for some registries (e.g. Vancouver) and date coverage varying for others. Prior to 1947 immigrants to Canada could petition the court to become naturalized British subjects (those immigrants already British subjects did not need to apply). Canadian citizenship was introduced in 1947. These court records are not the official naturalization or citizenship records which are federal documents. For more information see Canadian Naturalization 1915-1932, which includes a database searchable by name and linked to information about 200,000 naturalized individuals.
British Columbia Provincial Police, 1858-1950 GR-0055, GR-0091 and others
GR-0055 includes a list of constables names and the stations at which they were serving (1889-1929) taken from the Public Accounts. GR-0091 consists of personnel records includings applications, oath books, pay lists, and nominal rolls. Consult Binder 12 or search Textual Records for information about other BCPP records. Access restrictions apply to many of the post 1908 records.
Other government records
Health Care Records
These consist primarily of patient case files for provincial institutions such as Essondale (Riverview), Tranquille, and Woodlands. See the Duty Archivist in the Reference Room or contact us for information on how to access the records.
Colonial Correspondence GR-1372
This collection is composed of inter-governmental and inter-departmental correspondence as well as correspondence inward to the colonial governments of BC and Vancouver Island, 1849-1871. Consult the card index in the Reference Room and then the finding aid to determine the required microfilm reel number.
British Columbia. Canadian Confederation Centennial Committee 1967 GR-1489 and Centennial 1971 Committee GR-1490
Applications for pioneer medallions that include genealogical information. Consult the finding aids for additional information.
Church Registers of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials
Consult the card and online catalogues under church name, place name, or subject headings (e.g. "Registers of Births," "Religious Records"). Memory BC can be searched for holdings in other BC repositories. Use the keywords "births", "marriages", "deaths", "baptisms" alone or in combination with "records" or "registers".
Family Papers
Genealogical information can often be gleaned from such family papers as diaries, correspondence, etc. Consult the catalogues under the family name.
Family Trees
The BC Archives holds a few family trees that can be found through the manuscript and library catalogues under the family name.
Colonial Settlers on the Mainland of British Columbia MS-0700
Alexander Begg Collection MS-0467
This collection includes three volumes of questionnaires distributed to settlers in the North West Territory in 1884-85.
Hudson's Bay Company Records MS-2053
MS-2053 is a finding aid which allows researchers to determine the reel numbers for microfilmed records at the Hudson Bay Archives which can be borrowed through their local libary on interlibrary loan. See the HBC Archives website for more information and to search its holdings for additional material. To identify BC Archives holdings of HBC records, search the old manuscript card catalogue as well as online (Textual Records) for "Hudson's Bay Company", as well as names and personnel.
The BC Archives has a large collection of newspapers on microfilm, though major 20th century Vancouver and Victoria papers are not included with the exception of the Victoria Colonist (to 1939). These can be accessed at university and public libraries. See British Columbia newspapers on microfilm which lists newspapers alphabetically by community and provides details of what issues are available. Indexes to the content of newspapers held by the BC Archives are selective and with the exception of the British Colonist 1858-1910 online, are not available electronically.
Researchers may also wish to consult the clipping file index. This microfiche index of selected newspaper articles (1858-1983) can be searched by subject, name, or place. Each entry contains the title of the article, the name of the newspaper, the date, the page number, and indicates if the article is also included in the vertical file collection. The vertical file is a collection of over 88,000 files on various subjects that provides easy access to newspaper articles on a given topic. The index to the vertical files is contained in four large black volumes in the reference room. The vertical files have been microfilmed (D-19) and are available in the Reference Room.
For general information about our collections of sound recordings (which include numerous oral history interviews), please consult the Sound Recordings page on the BC Archives web site. Most of our holdings are described and the descriptions can be searched online by title, creator/author, date, places shown and subject, as well as other parameters. Onsite researchers may also make use of the sound recordings card catalogue and finding aids that provide further details about some collections.
Researchers interested in archival film and video should consult the Moving Images page on the BC Archives web site. The Moving Images Index provides online access to descriptions of these materials through the search page. The descriptions are searchable by title, creator/author, date, places shown and subject, as well as other parameters.
Copies of photographs and art works at the BC Archives are available in the Photo Reference Room. The General Reference File arranges photographs by location, subject heading, or family name. Copies of some photograph collections have been put into binders by theme or photographer. Colour slide and black and white photographs of art works are also found in the Photo Reference Room. Many of the visual images in the collection are accessible through the Visual Records search on the BC Archives web site. Over 100,000 text descriptions are available on-line for searching, with more than 95,000 on-line images available for viewing.
2.7 Cartographic Records (maps, plans, architectural drawings)
Card catalogues in the map reference area list the cartographic records by author, title, subject, chronologically, and/or by National Topographic Series (NTS) number, depending upon the catalogue. Finding aids are also available that make locating a map easier if it happens to be part of a series. A selection of cartographic images can be found on the BC Archives web site..
3.0 Other guides
Genealogical Resources for British Columbians (2004)
Canadian Genealogical Resources: a Guide to Material held at the Cloverdale Library
Return to the Table of Contents.