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Chinese Consular Records

C.I. 5 certificate (head tax) - Lee Don, 1918 (front). VPL 30625
C.I. 5 certificate (head tax) - Lee Don, 1918 (front). VPL 30625

China established a consulate-general in Ottawa in 1909. Between 1909 and 1970, Chinese consulates existed at various times in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. People of Chinese origin registered with one of the consulates, and information about these individuals may be found in consular records.

Finding the Records

At Library and Archives Canada

Two sets of Chinese consular records are available at Library and Archives Canada. The records have not been microfilmed. For information on how to consult them, see Library and Archives Canada's Consult LAC material web page.

China. Consulate (Canada)
This set of records covers the period from 1919-1948 and 1960-1966. The collection is both in Chinese and in English. The records have not been microfilmed and must be consulted on-site. To see the records, request volumes/boxes from MG10-C2. Contents include:

Volumes 1- 3, 7

Consists of application forms, registration certificates, and oath of citizenship forms. The collection includes almost 1600 applications. Most items in Volume 7 relate to Chinese residents of Calgary. Information on each application includes:

  • Name
  • Age
  • Native Province
  • Place of Birth
  • Present Residence
  • Profession
  • Establishment
  • Date of Arrival
  • Name of Wife or Husband
  • Names of Children and their Sex
  • Date

Volume 5
Comprises membership lists for the Kuomintang and the Montreal Chinese Laundry Association. Also includes two files listing members of the Chinese foreign service.

For more information, see the archival description of these records on the Library and Archives Canada website.

China. Consular Records

This set of records consists of a set of letters kept by Lin Shih Yuan, the Chinese Consul in Vancouver, B.C. The letters cover the period from 8 November 1914 to 29 May 1915. Two-thirds of the letters are in Chinese and one-third are in English. A nominal (name) index appears at the beginning. The records must be consulted on-site at Library and Archives Canada.

For more information, see the archival description of these records on the Library and Archives Canada website.

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