Newspapers
Newspapers are a very useful source of information for genealogists.
Newspapers may contain stories, advertisements and other items related to your family history or provide useful background information. Birth, marriage and death announcements often include information about members of immediate and extended families as well as other clues.
Chinese Canadian researchers should consider consulting both "mainstream" and Chinese newspapers.
Mainstream
Mainstream newspapers — that is, English-language newspapers published for the community-at-large — may contain material of interest to Chinese Canadian genealogists, including announcements of births, marriages and deaths, news articles and background information. For details on locating birth, marriage and death announcements, see the Birth, Marriage, and Death Newspaper Announcements page.
FINDING THE RECORDS
Historic newspapers are available at many locations.
At the Vancouver Public Library - Newspapers on Microfilm
Level 5 at the Central Library has a large collection of both historical and recent newspapers. The focus of the historical collection is on Canadian newspapers. For more information on historical newspapers available at the Library, see the Newspapers section of the Genealogy and Family History research guide.
Print and electronic indexes for many of these newspapers are available at the Vancouver Public Library. For more information, see staff at the Central Branch.
At the Vancouver Public Library - Newspaper Directories
The following newspaper directories may be used to identify historical newspapers published across Canada:
Directory of Canadian Newspapers for 1900 Being a Catalogue of All Newspapers and Periodicals Published in Canada and Newfoundland(1900)
Special Collections Reference 050X D598
A Historical Directory of Manitoba Newspapers, 1858-1978 (1981)
Loveridge, D.M.
Reference 071.1 L91h
An Historical Directory of Nova Scotia Newspapers and Journals Before Confederation (1977)
Vincent, Thomas Brewer, comp.
Reference 071.1X V77h
Historical Directory of Saskatchewan Newspapers, 1878-1950 (1951)
MacDonald, Christine
Reference 071.1X M13h
Ontario Ethno-Cultural Newspapers, 1835-1972: An Annotated Checklist (1973)
McLaren, Duncan
Reference 070.484X M16o
Union Catalogue of British Columbia Newspapers, 3 vol. (1987)
Komorous, Hana, comp.
Special Collections Reference Desk 071.1X K81u
Union List of Canadian Newspapers (1993)
National Library of Canada
Central Reference Resources MICROFICHE 071.1X c212ua
At the University of British Columbia
The Koerner Library at the University of British Columbia has a collection of newspapers that is open to the public. See their Newspapers and News Sources guide for more information.
At the B.C. Archives
A collection of historical British Columbia newspapers on microfilm is available at the B.C. Archives in Victoria. The B.C. Archives does not participate in interlibrary loan programs so it is necessary to visit the Archives in order to consult their holdings. Holdings include a number of non-B.C. newspapers. For more information see their listing of British Columbia Newspapers on Microfilm.
At Library and Archives Canada
The Library and Archives of Canada (LAC) has over 200,000 reels of Canadian newspapers on microfilm. For a listing of LAC newspaper holdings see the Newspapers web page.
Online
Many newspapers have their own websites but, in most cases, content is limited to current and recent editions. However, a number of old newspapers have been digitized for the web. Some are free, while others are available by subscription only.
Chinese
The Chinese community in Canada has published newspapers — both Chinese and English — since 1903, when the China Reform Gazette began publication in Vancouver. The China Reform Gazette stopped publishing in 1911, but the Chinese community in Canada has since published many other newspapers.
To a considerable extent, Chinese newspaper publishing historically reflected political factionalism in the Chinese community. This in turn mirrored political turmoil in China. In Canada's Chinese community, the main tension was between the Kuomintang (KMT), also called the Chinese Nationalist League, and the Cheekungtong (CKT), later the Chinese Freemasons. Both had ties to powerful political forces in China, and each published its own newspapers. For more information on the KMT, CKT and politics in the Chinese community, see From China to Canada: A History of the Chinese Communities in Canada (Edgar Wickberg, ed.) and other resources listed in VPL's Chinese Canadian History research guide.
For an overview of the history of Chinese journalism in North America and a directory of historic Chinese newspapers (to 1975), including those published in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria and Winnipeg, see Chinese Newspapers Published in North America, 1854-1975, compiled by Karl Lo and Him Mark Lai (available through interlibrary loan).
Chinese newspapers occasionally included references to births, marriages and deaths, especially those associated with prominent members of the community. They also contained detailed information on the activities of various community organizations, such as clan associations, schools, etc., including many references to individuals. For example, annual lists of newly-elected executive members of community organizations were often published in the newspapers. Reports of court cases and information about businesses also frequently appeared. As such, although Chinese newspapers don't necessarily provide a great deal of nuts-and-bolts genealogical information (such as birth, marriage and death dates), they are very local in nature, and provide information about individuals in the community as well as a great deal of background information.
There are no indexes to Chinese newspapers published in Canada, so it is necessary to browse in order to find specific information. It is helpful if you can narrow your search to a specific range of dates.
FINDING THE RECORDS
Chinese newspapers are held by a number of libraries across Canada. Consult the Chinese Newspapers in... sections below for brief descriptions and holding locations of newspapers published in major Canadian cities. These listings have been derived primarily from Library and Archives Canada's Voilà database and the bibliography compiled by Karl Lo and Him Mark Lai's bibliography, cited above. In some cases, although the paper existed, no holding locations have been identified in Voilà. This is indicated in the Location notes as "Unknown". Titles in the listings are romanized as they appear in Voilà.
Chinese Newspapers in Edmonton
Chia Hua Pao = The Canadian Chinese Times
Weekly Chinese-language newspaper published in Edmonton from about 1982 to May 2, 2002. Continued by Guan Hua Bao = The Chinese Journal.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Guan Hua Bao = The Chinese Journal
Weekly Chinese-language newspaper published in Edmonton since May 9, 2002. Continuation of Chia Hua Pao = The Canadian Chinese Times.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Chinese Newspapers in Montreal
Da Ji Yuan Shi Bao = The Epoch Times
Weekly newspaper published beginning in 2000. Editions also published in Vancouver and Toronto.
Location: University of Victoria Libraries
Hua Chiao Hsin Pao = Les nouvelles chinoises
Weekly Chinese-language newspaper published beginning March 2, 1991.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Hua Ch'iao Lun T'an = East Wind
Chinese-language newspaper published by the East Wind Club, from May 10, 1959, to December 1960. Superseded by Tung Feng.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Kuang Chi Ts'ung
Monthly Chinese-language newspaper published about 1961.
Location: Unknown
Xin Shi Jie = Hebdomadaire chinois = Sino Weekly
Weekly newspaper published beginning 2000.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Chinese Newspapers in Ottawa
Chia Ching Hua Pao = The Capital Chinese News
Monthly Chinese-language newspaper with some English. Began publication July 4, 1977.
Alternate titles: Jia Jing Hua Bao, NCC News, National Capital Chinese Community Newsletter, Ottawa Chinese Community Newsletter
| Locations: | Archives of Ontario |
| Library and Archives Canada |
Chia Hua Chiao Pao = Chinese-Canadian Community News
Monthly Chinese-language newspaper with some English. Published monthly (irregular) beginning 1979.
| Locations: | Archives of Ontario |
| Library and Archives Canada |
Chinese Newspapers in Toronto
Bei Mei Hua Bao = North America Times
Weekly Chinese-language newspaper published beginning October 28, 2000.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Chia Hua Jih Pao = Chinese Canadian Daily
Alternate titles: Chinese Canadian News, Chinese Canadian Newspaper, Chinese Canadian Weekly.
Chinese-language newspaper published in Scarborough. Published as a daily from September 1, 1984, to October 31, 1989. Continued as a weekly beginning November 4, 1989.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Chung Chia Shih Pao = Chinese Canadian Times
Chinese-language daily newspaper with some English, published from about 1970 to 1971.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Da Ji Yuan Shi Bao (Jia Dong Ri Bao Ban) = The Epoch Times
Weekly newspaper published beginning 2000. Editions also published in Montreal and Vancouver.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Grange Community Storefront Newsletter
Chinese and English-language newspaper published from February to July 1974 (six issues).
| Locations: | Library and Archives Canada |
| University of Toronto Library |
Hsin Chi Min Pao = New Citizen
English-language newspaper published in Vancouver every 2 weeks beginning 1948. Includes some Chinese text. In October 1951, the paper began publishing in Toronto as well, continuing in Vancouver until August 26, 1952. The Vancouver paper changed its title to The Chinese Citizen, beginning February 14, 1953.
| Locations: | British Columbia Legislative Library |
| Library and Archives Canada | |
| University of British Columbia Library |
Hsing Jua Chou Pao = Shing Wah
Weekly newspaper published from approximately 1916-1922. Superseded by Hsing Hua Jih Pao = The Shing Wah Daily News.
Hsing Hua Jih Pao = The Shing Wah Daily News
Chinese-language newspaper published from about 1922 to September 29, 1990. An organ newspaper of the Kuomintang. Continued by Hsing Hua Jih Pao = The Shing Wah News. Issues from January, 1954 to September, 1990 have been digitized. To access these, see the Shing Wah Daily News collection on the SFU Digitized Newspapers website.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Hsing Hua Pao = The Shing Wah News
Monthly Chinese-language Kuomintang newspaper published from November 1990 to November 2000. A continuation of Hsing Hua Jih Pao = The Shing Wah Daily News.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Hung Chung Shih Pao = The Chinese Times
Chinese-language newspaper that began publication in 1928 and ceased in 1956. Started as a weekly newspaper, but became a daily about 1929. An organ newspaper of the Chinese Freemasons.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
K'ai Ming
Chinese-language newspaper published in approximately 1971.
Location: Unknown
K'uai Pao = Chinese Express
Alternate title: Chinese Express Daily News
Chinese-language newspaper of varying frequency published from January 13, 1971, to January 26, 1989.
| Locations: | Library and Archives Canada |
| Toronto Public Library |
To-Lung-To Shang Pao = Chinatown Commercial News
Alternate title: Duolunduo Shang Bao
Bi-weekly Chinese-language newspaper published beginning about 1966 and ending 1986.
Location: University of British Columbia Library
Xing Xing Sheng Huo Zhou Bao = New Star Chinese Weekly
Chinese-language newspaper with some English, published from 2001 to present.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Chinese Newspapers in Vancouver
C-C Bulletin Vacation Guide
Chinese and English newspaper published from May/June 1971 to June/July 1972. A continuation of Chinese-Canadian Bulletin. Continued by Chinese-Canadian Bulletin and Vacation Guide, International ed.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Chia-Na-Ta Ch'en Pao = The Canada Morning News
Chinese-language newspaper published in Vancouver (possibly daily) from approximately 1921 to 1929. An organ of the Kuomintang.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Ch'iao Sheng Jih Pao = The Chinese Voice
Alternate title: Qiao Sheng Ri Bao
Daily Chinese-language newspaper published from October 30, 1953, to October 5, 1987.
| Locations: | British Columbia Archives |
| British Columbia Legislative Library | |
| Library and Archives Canada | |
| University of British Columbia Library |
Chinatown
English-language newspaper published twice-monthly from September 3, 1953, to August 18, 1956. Continued by Chinatown News. To access digitized issues, see the Chinatown News collection on the SFU Digitized Newspapers website.
| Locations: | Library and Archives Canada |
| Vancouver Public Library |
Chinatown News
English-language newspaper published in Vancouver from about September 1956 to June 1996. A continuation of Chinatown. To access digitized issues, see The Chinatown News collection on the SFU Digitized Newspapers website. Digitized extracts are also available in the online Chinese Canadian Women, 1923-1967 exhibit.
| Locations: | Library and Archives Canada |
| Library of Parliament | |
| Simon Fraser University | |
| University of British Columbia Library | |
| University of Victoria | |
| Vancouver Public Library |
Chinese Bulletin
Chinese and English newspaper. Began publication December 1960. Continued by Chinese-Canadian Bulletin in 1968.
| Locations: | Library and Archives Canada |
| University of British Columbia Library |
Chinese-Canadian Bulletin
Chinese and English newspaper. Began about April/May 1968. Ceased publication March/April 1971. A continuation of Chinese Bulletin. Continued by C-C Bulletin Vacation Guide.
| Locations: | Library and Archives Canada |
| University of British Columbia Library |
Chinese-Canadian Bulletin and Vacation Guide, International Ed.
Chinese and English newspaper published from August/September 1972 - December 1979. A continuation of C-C Bulletin Vacation Guide. Continued by Chinese-Canadian Bulletin. International Ed.
| Locations: | Library and Archives Canada |
| University of British Columbia Library | |
| Vancouver Public Library |
Chinese-Canadian Bulletin, International Ed.
A continuation of Chinese-Canadian Bulletin and Vacation Guide, International Ed.
| Locations: | British Columbia Legislative Library |
| Library and Archives Canada | |
| University of British Columbia Library | |
| Vancouver Public Library |
The Chinese Citizen
Alternate title: Chung Kuo Kung Min
English-language irregular newspaper (published approximately twice a month), with some Chinese. Published from February 14, 1953, to November or December 1954. A continuation of The New Citizen. Continued by Citizen.
| Locations: | British Columbia Legislative Library |
| Library and Archives Canada |
Ching Pao = Mirror
Alternate title: Strathcona Community News
Chinese and English newspaper published by Strathcona Community News Service from June 10, 1977, to March 6, 1978.
Location: British Columbia Legislative Library
Chung Hsi Chou Pao = Sino-Western Weekly Post
Chinese and English. Published from October 24, 1975, to December 17, 1976.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Chung Hsing Jih Pao = The Chinese Free Press
Daily (later monthly) Chinese-language newspaper with some English. Published from March 1-27, 1954.
| Locations: | British Columbia Legislative Library |
| Library and Archives Canada |
Chung Kuo Pan Yeh Lao Kung = Chinese Lumber Worker
Chinese-language newspaper published from September 1948 to June 1, 1953.
Location: University of British Columbia Library
Citizen
Alternate title: The Citizen: The Voice of All the People
English-language newspaper published twice-monthly from December 20, 1954, to 1955. A continuation of The Chinese Citizen.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Da Han Gong Bao = The Chinese Times
| Alternate titles: | Ta Han Bao |
| Tai Hon Kong Bo | |
| Tai Hon Yat Bo |
Chinese-language organ of the Chinese Freemasons published in Vancouver beginning November 6, 1914. Suspended publication on October 3, 1992. A continuation of Ta Han Jih Pao = The Chinese Daily News. 250,000 pages of The Chinese Times have been digitized. To access these, see The Chinese Times [newspaper] collection on the SFU Digitized Newspapers website.
| Locations: | Burnaby Public Library |
| Library and Archives Canada | |
| U.B.C. Asian Library |
Da Ji Yuan Shi Bao = The Epoch Times
Weekly newspaper published beginning in 2000. Editions also published in Montreal and Toronto.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Da Zhong Bao
Alternate title: Ta Chung Pao
Chinese-language newspaper. Started as a semi-monthly, eventually becoming a weekly. Began 1961; ceased publication February 1981.
Location: University of British Columbia Library
Gum San Po
Chinese-language newspaper published in 1973.
Location: Unknown
Hsin Chiao = New Bridge
Chinese and English newspaper published 1971/72.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Hsin Min Kuo Pao
Chinese-language newspaper published from approximately 1905-1911.
Location: Unknown
Hsin Min Kuo Pao = The New Republic
Chinese-language newspaper published by the Chinese Nationalist League of Canada from May 1911 to June 23, 1984. Began in Victoria as Hsin Min Kuo Jih Pao, changing its name to Hsin Min Kuo Pao in 1925 and moving to Vancouver in December 1957.
| Locations: | British Columbia Legislative Library |
| Library and Archives Canada |
Hua Ying Jih Pao
Alternate title: Wa Ying Yat Bo
Chinese-language daily published in Vancouver from 1906 to 1910. Continued by Ta Han Jih Pao = The Chinese Daily News.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Jih Hsin Pao = China Reform Gazette
Alternate title: Chung Ch'ing Sun Bo
Chinese-language newspaper published three times per week from approximately 1901 to 1911. An organ newspaper of the Chinese Reform Association, and later the Chinese Constitutionalist Party.
Location: Unknown
Kuang Chi Ts'ung
Chinese-language newspaper published in 1961.
Location: Unknown
Li Tsu Yueh K'an
Chinese-language newspaper, not known when published.
Location: Unknown
Life Mirror Weekly
Began as a semi-monthly, changing to weekly and then every five days. Began publishing in 1956.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Mei Chou Hua Ch'iao Yueh K'an = Chinese in America
Chinese-language newspaper published from approximately 1950 to unknown.
Location: Unknown
Mu Yeh Ch'ing Pao
Chinese-language edition of B.C. Lumber Worker, published in 1944. Possibly the same as Chung Kuo Pan Yeh Lao Kung.
The New Citizen
English-language newspaper published in Vancouver every two weeks from 1948. Includes some Chinese text. In October 1951, the paper began publishing in Toronto as well, but continued in Vancouver until August 26, 1952. Continued by The Chinese Citizen, beginning February 14, 1953.
| Locations: | British Columbia Legislative Library |
| Library and Archives Canada | |
| U.B.C. Special Collections and Archives Division |
Richmond Review
Alternate title: The Richmond Review: For the Richmond Asian Community
Monthly Chinese and English newspaper published in a suburb of Vancouver.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Sing Tao Jih Pao, Vancouver Edition
Alternate title: Hsing Tao Jih Pao
Chinese-language newspaper published from 1972 - current.
Location: Unknown
Ta Han Jih Pao = The Chinese Daily News
Chinese-language daily newspaper. Began publishing in 1910 and ceased publication with the November 5, 1915, issue. A continuation of Hua Ying Jih Pao. Continued by Da Han Gong Bao = The Chinese Times.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
University of British Columbia Library
Ta Lu Pao
Chinese-language newspaper published in 1909. Ceased publication after a few months.
Location: Unknown
Tung K'an Chao Pao = Orient Weekly
Chinese-language newspaper published in 1975.
Location: Unknown
Tzu Yu Tao Pao
Chinese-language newspaper published from approximately 1961 until an unknown.
Location: Unknown
Wa Ying Yat Bo
Chinese-language newspaper published from approximately 1906 to 1910.
Location: Unknown
Wo Pao
Chinese-language newspaper published from approximately 1913 to 1914. An organ newspaper of the Kuomintang.
Location: Unknown
Chinese Newspapers in Victoria
Hsin Min Kuo Pao = The New Republic
Alternate title: Sun Min Kob
Chinese-language newspaper published by the Chinese Nationalist League of Canada from May 1911 to June 23, 1984. Began as Hsin Min Kuo Jih Pao, changing its name to Hsin Min Kuo Pao in 1925. The newspaper moved to Vancouver in December 1957.
| Locations: | British Columbia Archives |
| British Columbia Legislative Library | |
| Library and Archives Canada |
Ta Han Jih Pao
Published in 1910. An organ newspaper of the Chinese Free Masons.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
Chinese Newspapers in Winnipeg
Manitoba Chinese Post
Chinese-language newspaper with some English. Began publication November 1978.
Location: Library and Archives Canada
San Min Jih Pao
Chinese-language newspaper, possibly published in the 1940s.
Location: Unknown