Genealogy Buzz

British Columbia Civil Registration Records Released

Posted June 5, 2022

Death records for 2001 and marriage records for 1946 are now available online from the British Columbia Archives. Learn more about it here.

More Canadian Historical Newspapers Added to VPL's Digital Library

Posted April 5, 2022

The Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Regina Leader-Post, Ottawa Citizen, Windsor Star, and Montreal Gazette newspapers have been added to our Canadian Historical Newspapers online resource.

1950 U.S. Federal Census Released

Posted April 4, 2022

On April 1, 2022, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) released the 1950 United States Census records. Search and learn more about the census here.

British Columbia Civil Registration Records Released

Posted August 29, 2021

Death records for 2000 and marriage records for 1945 are now available online from the British Columbia Archives. Learn more about it here.

Home-Access to Ancestry Library Edition Extended Again

Posted June 2, 2021

At-home access to Ancestry Library Edition (ALE) has been extended until December 31st, 2021. Sign-in with your library card barcode and PIN to get started.

Home-Access to Ancestry Library Edition Extended

Posted March 21, 2021

British Columbia Historical Newspapers Added to VPL's Digital Library

Posted February 7, 2021

British Columbia Historical Newspapers: Vancouver Sun, Province and Times Colonist

Digitized newspaper archives covering The Vancouver Sun (1912-present), The Province (1898-present) and the Times Colonist (1884-present).

Access: Everywhere for Vancouver residents.

Home-Access to Ancestry Library Edition Extended Yet Again

Posted November 24, 2020

At-home access to Ancestry Library Edition (ALE) has been extended until March 31st, 2021. Sign-in with your library card barcode and PIN to get started.

Home-Access to Ancestry Library Edition Available For the Rest of the Year!

Posted September 18, 2020

Even though most library locations are now open for limited services, including computer use, VPL's at-home access to Ancestry Library Edition (ALE) has been extended yet again - this time until December 31th, 2020! Sign-in with your library card barcode and PIN to get started.

Expanded ALE Access Extended until September 30th

Posted August 14, 2020

At-home access to Ancestry Library Edition (ALE) has been extended until September 30th, 2020. Make use of it while it lasts!

Ancestry Library Edition Now Available from Home

Posted March 20, 2020

For a limited time, Ancestry Library Edition will be available to all VPL cardholders from home - simply login with your library barcode and PIN. It is anticipated that this expanded access will continue until library locations have reopened.

In the Trenches: Digitized First World War Records - A Library and Archives Canada Introductory Workshop

Posted October 20, 2019

Are you interested in researching your ancestors' First World War military service?

This introductory genealogy workshop teaches participants how to access Canadian Expeditionary Force service files, identify an individual's military unit and consult various digitized resources such as war diaries to learn about the context of an individual's service.

Basic ability to use a keyboard and mouse in required.

In partnership with Library and Archives Canada.

Friday, November 1, 2019 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)
Central Library

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
Kitsilano Branch

Connection to Kith and Kin: Indigenous Ancestry Search

Posted September 17, 2019

Knowing where we come from connects us to land and culture, and empowers us to make change. In this workshop, experts help participants search online records for family documents.

In partnership with Library and Archives Canada, ALIVE, IRSSS, Our Place, and Britannia Community Services.

Wednesdays, September 18 – October 23, 2019
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Britannia Branch

British Columbia Civil Registration Records Released

Posted June 10, 2019

Death records for 1998 and marriage records for 1943 are now available from the British Columbia Archives. Learn more about it here.

Tasmania, Australia: Gender Now Optional on Birth Certificates

Posted May 18, 2019

Read about it on Thomson Reuters' online article: Controversy as Tasmania makes gender optional on birth certificates.

1926 Census of the Prairie Provinces is Now Online

Posted February 27, 2019

Library and Archives Canada and FamilySearch International have announced the release of the 1926 Census of the Prairie Provinces database which provides a free searchable index of over two million names with digital images of 45,000 pages.

Learn more and search the 1926 Census on Library and Archives Canada’s website, as well as at FamilySearch.org.

Genealogy: Trace Your Ancestors with FamilySearch

Posted February 26, 2019

Learn about FamilySearch, an exciting online resource for genealogy research available on the Internet.

Thursday, March 14, 2019 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm)
Central Branch

Genealogy: Trace Your Ancestors with Ancestry Library Edition

Posted February 26, 2019

Learn about the exciting online resources available through the library's Ancestry Library Edition database.

Thursday, March 7, 2019 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm)
Central Branch

Good News for Future Researchers of EU Residents

Posted February 9, 2019

The U.K. is registering all European Union citizens residing in the U.K. who “hold a valid passport and any non-EU citizen family members who hold a valid biometric residence card” to give them legal status after the U.K. leaves the European Union, the Guardian reported. An estimated 3.5 million EU citizens will need to be registered. Source: International Council of Archives Human Rights Working Group Newsletter, January 2019 Issue no.110.

Have You Heard of Archivists Without Borders?

Posted February 9, 2019

The Arxivers sense Fronteres - or in English, Archivists without Borders - is an organization (est. 1998) of archivists headquartered in Spain. It facilitates volunteer efforts to preserve documentary heritage, especially in developing countries. There are chapters and related organizations in the USA and France.

Free Access to Canadian Digital Documentary Heritage CANADIANA Online

Posted February 9, 2019

As of January 1, 2019, 60 million pages of Canadian digital documentary heritage will be available at no charge to users. The Canadiana collections are the largest online collections of early textual Canadiana in the world. The removal of the subscription paywall will allow unimpeded access to this unique historical content for researchers, students, faculty, and all users in Canada and around the world.

Maclean's Magazine Archive, 1905-2015 Now Available

Posted January 9, 2019

Access to Maclean's Magazine Archive, 1905-2015 is now available at the Vancouver Public Library. One hundred and ten years of searchable, cover-to-cover access to Canada's leading general interest magazine. Maclean's Magazine Archive is accessible via EBSCO to all VPL Cardholders.

Explore Your Roots: Researching Indigenous Genealogy at LAC

Posted November 7, 2018

Learn about resources related to indigenous genealogy held in Library and Archives Canada's (LAC) vast collection! This workshop will provide you with a greater understanding of LAC's holdings, how to use the LAC website and genealogy resources, as well as tips and tricks to help you delve into your indigenous genealogy. Beginners welcome.

This event is developed under a collective arrangement between the Vancouver Public Library and Library and Archives Canada.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018 (2:00 pm – 4:30 pm)
Mount Pleasant Branch

In the Trenches: Digitized First World War Records - A Library and Archives Canada Introductory Workshop

Posted October 21, 2018

This introductory genealogy workshop teaches participants how to access Canadian Expeditionary Force service files, identify an individual's military unit and consult various digitized resources such as war diaries to learn about the context of an individual's service.

In partnership with Library and Archives Canada

Tuesday, November 6, 2018 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)
Central Library

Quebec Opens Adoption Files 1920-1970

Posted August 1, 2018

The government of Quebec opened 300,000 adoption files for children adopted between the years 1920 and 1970. Read about it on Radio-Canada.

Records Problems for Families Separated at U.S. Border

Posted August 1, 2018

CNN reports that the United States immigration officials who separated children from their families in 2018 did not keep sufficient records of who came across the border with whom, nor did they keep adequate records of where each child was subsequently housed. Some border officials took photos of the children with the parents to create a record, but now both children and parents are having DNA tests done to see if they are related. This will likely impact future genealogical research on the afffected families.

Open Source Genealogy Database Gives Access to Law Enforcement Agencies

Posted August 1, 2018

Open source genealogy database GEDMatch – with a million voluntarily contributed genetic profiles—has changed its terms of service to explicitly open its data to law enforcement agencies. Learn more on Wired.com.

Residential School Research Centre Still Waiting on Some Church Records

Posted August 1, 2018

According to an article on CBC News, some “Catholic orders have still not turned over promised records to the research centre created as a repository for the documented history of residential schools.”

Genealogy Program at VPL: Trace Your Ancestors with FamilySearch

Posted June 26, 2018

Learn about this exciting online resource for family research available on the Internet at this genealogy workshop.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Central Branch

British Columbia Civil Registration Records Released

Posted June 19, 2018

Death records for 1997 and marriage records for 1942 are now available from the British Columbia Archives. Learn more about it on our guide.

General Data Protection Regulation for EU Individuals Impacts DNA Related Geneology Services

Posted June 18, 2018

World Families Network, Ysearch and Mitosearch, three businesses that supported “genetic genealogy” (DNA searches for relatives) are closing due to the cost of [European Union] GDPR compliance. Read about it on DNAeXplained.

Data Breach from MyHeritage Genealogy Site

Posted June 6, 2018

According to a recent Vice article, records for 92 million users of MyHeritage have been stolen from the service. Information stolen includes email addresses and hashed password.

Descendants of Gulag Victims can Now Discover the Fate of Their Family Members

Posted May 9, 2018

The Gulag History State Museum opened an archival center in Moscow to “help descendants discover the fate of their family members” who were sent to the forced labor camps. The center “houses a library, an interactive map of the Gulag camps accessible on computer screens and a growing archive of interviews with victims and descendants, and potentially even former prison guards,” The Art Newspaper reported. The information in the center “draws from Memorial’s database,” and the center “will work with government archives to add information.” The latter will be difficult because many of the relevant “records are held by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Security Service, successor agencies of Stalin’s secret police, which perpetrated the repressions.” A further complication is that since 2014 Memorial has been under the government’s “foreign agent” restrictions.

Trace Your Ancestors with Ancestry Library Edition

Posted April 23, 2018

Tuesday, June 19 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm)
Central Branch

Learn about the exciting online resources available through the library's ancestry database.

Imperial War Museum Launches War Memorials Register

Posted March 28, 2018

The Imperial War Museum has created a database of war memorials in the United Kingdom. It includes memorials to members of the armed forces, civilians and animals from all wars. You can search records of over 74,000 memorials. The database can be searched by name. It currently includes over one million names and continues to expand.

Restricted FamilySearch Images Now Available At VPL's Central Library

Posted March 13, 2018

Sometimes when you are looking at records at FamilySearch.org you'll see an image labeled, , .

This used to mean that you needed to visit a Family History Centre to view the image. Now you can come down to the Central Library at 350 West Georgia and use any of our public computers to view the image. You will be able to save the image on a USB stick or email it to yourself.

Records available include church records from Great Britain, probate records from Ontario, the full text of family history books and much more. To date, over 1.5 million microfilms (approximately 1.5 billion images) have been digitized by FamilySearch, including all microfilms which were borrowed in the last five years.

Please note that some digital images may still have privacy, copyright, contractual, or other restrictions which limit access even at the Central Library.

Researching Your Irish Family History

Posted February 27, 2018

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2018 by exploring your Irish roots. This workshop will introduce key records and how to find them using Vancouver Public Library resources and the Internet.

Saturday, March 17, 2018 (10:30 am – 12:00 pm)
D̲u̲n̲b̲a̲r̲ ̲B̲r̲a̲n̲c̲h̲ ̲L̲i̲b̲r̲a̲r̲y̲ [broken link removed]

Everyone Who Ever Sailed on the SS Great Britain

Posted February 13, 2018

The SS Great Britain was a passenger steamship that sailed from 1845 to 1886 mostly between England and Australia. The database includes information on all of the crew and passengers as well as background on what it was like to sail aboard.

New York Slavery Records Index

Posted February 9, 2018

This database from the City University of New York contains records of slaves and slave owners in New York State from 1525 to the American Civil War. It can be searched by name, locality, birth year and more.

Learn about Indigenous Genealogy with Library and Archives Canada

Posted December 19, 2017

Learn about resources, related to indigenous genealogy, held in Library and Archives Canada's (LAC) vast collection! This workshop will provide you with a greater understanding of LAC's holdings, how to use LAC's website and genealogy resources, as well as tips and tricks to help you delve into your indigenous genealogy. Beginners welcome.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 (2:30 pm – 4:00 pm)
Central Branch

Nearly 12,000 Genealogy Facebook Pages

Posted November 10, 2017

Facebook is an excellent to network with other family historians and get information and advice for your project. Genealogist Katherine R. Wilson has compiled a list of 11,700+ Genealogy/History Links on Facebook. The list spans the globe and is organized by location.

Colonial North American Project at Harvard University

Posted November 8, 2017

Harvard University has begun the process of digitizing images of the archival and manuscript materials in the Harvard Library that relate to 17th and 18th century North America. The online project so far includes 150,000 images of diaries, journals, notebooks and other rare documents.

New Jersey Marriage Index, 1901-2016

Posted October 12, 2017

Reclaim the Records has posted images of a paper index covering 115 years of New Jersey marriages on the Internet Archive. An index by bride's name and groom's name are available for most years.

Irish Historical Photographs

Posted September 29, 2017

The National Folklore Collection at University College Dublin has added 10,000 historic photos from across Ireland to its digitized collection of 250,000 folk stories. Stories and photos can be searched by place, person or topic. A great source for adding local colour to Irish family histories.

Great Resource for Australian Genealogy

Posted September 23, 2017

The Digital Panopticon: Tracing London Convicts in Britain & Australia, 1780-1925 provides access to millions of records for more than 90,000 people sentenced to transportation from the Old Bailey in London. Links court records in Britain to settlement records in Australia.

1921 Canadian Census

Posted September 18, 2017

The 1921 Canadian Census is now available on the Library and Archives Canada website. Previously access had only been through Ancesty.ca.

New Zealand Online Cenotaph

Posted September 13, 2017

The Auckland War Memorial Museum has posted a searchable database of records for over 100,000 New Zealand soldiers serving in World War II. Families and researchers are able to contribute additional information about each soldier to the database.

FamilySearch to Discontinue Microfilm Loans

Posted June 26, 2017

FamilySearch’s progress in digitizing microfilm and the decreased use of microfilm technology has led to this decision. The last day for ordering microfilm will be August 31, 2017. Read more on their website.

Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos

Posted June 12, 2017

The Holocaust Museum in Washington has released the first 2 of 7 online volumes with detailed information of Nazi-established persecution sites throughout Europe. Volume 2 lists all of the ghettos in Eastern Europe and describes geography, conditions, history, population and the fates of people forced to live in the ghettos.

Irish Burial Records

Posted May 25, 2017

Over 60, 000 burial records from the north part of County Dublin have been posted online into a free database. Maps, plans, history and photographs are also available. Records cover the period between 1905 and 2005.

Large Collection of Early Victorian Photographs

Posted February 15, 2017

The Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford have created a website with the complete works of William Henry Fox Talbot, one of the early inventors in photography. The site will contain more than 25,000 images from England, produced between 1834 and 1846.

Freedman's Bureau Records Online

Posted December 29, 2016

The Freedman's Bureau was a U.S. government agency established in 1865 to aid freed slaves in the South after the Civil War. Extensive records were kept of people helped. Sometimes this was the first time the names of those individuals were recorded.

You can volunteer to help index the records here.

You can view the records here.

Irish Regiments in the British Army

Posted November 29, 2016

The National Army Museum in London has uploaded the records of soldiers serving in the Irish regiments from 1920-1922. Enlistment books for the Connaught Rangers, the Leinster Regiment, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, the Royal Irish Regiment and the Royal Munster Fusiliers can be searched on the Museum's web site. The nearly 12,000 records include age, birthplace, spouse, children, campaigns and medals and more

21st Annual Finding Your Roots Tri-stake Seminar, October 15

Posted September 24, 2016

This free a̲l̲l̲-̲d̲a̲y̲ ̲c̲o̲n̲f̲e̲r̲e̲n̲c̲e̲ [broken link removed]. at the Surrey Family History Centre (6270-126 Street) includes 35 classes and tables from many local organizations including Vancouver Public Library.

Fall Classes at the Vancouver Public Library

Posted August 12, 2016

We're holding 3 Trace Your Ancestors with Ancestry Library Edition sessions this fall in the Level 7 Computer Lab at the Central Library:

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T̲u̲e̲s̲d̲a̲y̲,̲ ̲N̲o̲v̲e̲m̲b̲e̲r̲ ̲1̲,̲ ̲2̲0̲1̲6̲ ̲(̲2̲:̲0̲0̲ ̲p̲m̲ ̲–̲ ̲3̲:̲0̲0̲ ̲p̲m̲)̲ [broken link removed]

T̲u̲e̲s̲d̲a̲y̲,̲ ̲N̲o̲v̲e̲m̲b̲e̲r̲ ̲8̲,̲ ̲2̲0̲1̲6̲ ̲(̲2̲:̲0̲0̲ ̲p̲m̲ ̲–̲ ̲3̲:̲0̲0̲ ̲p̲m̲)̲ [broken link removed]

Did Your Ancestor Know Captain Ahab?

Posted July 28, 2016

The New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts has transcribed crew lists for the home port of the ship in Herman Melville's Moby Dick. The searchable database contains records for over 127, 000 whalers who left the port from 1840 to 1927. The records include name, age, ship, rank, and physical description.

More than 150 Years of Peterborough Ontario Directories Now Online

Posted July 19, 2016

Peterborough Public Library has helped the Internet Archive scan over 100 city and county directories. The annual directories go back as far as 1858 and are as current as 2010. They include listings for Peterborough residents and businesses. City directories often include occupational information as well as contact details. They are an excellent way to learn more about an ancestors and track their locations year by year.

Chinese Canadian Artifacts Project

Posted July 12, 2016

The C̲h̲i̲n̲e̲s̲e̲ ̲C̲a̲n̲a̲d̲i̲a̲n̲ ̲A̲r̲t̲i̲f̲a̲c̲t̲s̲ ̲P̲r̲o̲j̲e̲c̲t̲ [broken link removed] brings together and makes accessible in a single, searchable database over 6000 Chinese Canadian artefacts held by 16 local and regional museums throughout British Columbia. Anyone with Internet access can virtually enter these participating museums and discover much about the everyday lives of early Chinese Canadians – their resilience in the face of over a century of racist exclusions, their work and family life from decades past, and their ongoing community contributions. Whether searching family genealogies, investigating Chinese Canadian history, or looking for Qing-era pottery, CCAP opens new pathways into the past and present

New Welsh Almanac Collection

Posted July 4, 2016

The National Library of Wales has digitized a large collection of Welsh almanacs. Each almanac contains astronomical and astrological guides, lists of fairs and markets, a guide to reading Welsh and keeping accounts, a list of the law terms, the names of Welsh bishops, and miscellaneous advertisements. The collection runs from 1648 to 1819 and is a fascinating source of information on Welsh history and culture. Much of the text is in Welsh.

National Library of Scotland Digitizes Family Histories

Posted June 4, 2016

The collection includes 400 digitized printed items relating to the histories of Scottish families. They are available free in the Library's digital gallery.

Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Prisoners Books

Posted May 17, 2016

University College Dublin has posted digitized records from 1905-1908 and 1911-1918 online. Details of over 30,000 people who were arrested during this period are included in the books. Information includes date of and grounds for arrest and the name of the arresting officer.

Case Files for Early Chinese Immigrants to San Francisco and Hawaii

Posted May 5, 2016

A s̲e̲a̲r̲c̲h̲a̲b̲l̲e̲ ̲i̲n̲d̲e̲x̲ [broken link removed]. to many of the nearly 200,000 files about Chinese people who immigrated to the United States between 1882 and 1943. To see the actual case file, you will need to come to the National Archives and Records Administration, Pacific Region, in San Bruno, California.

British Red Cross First World War Volunteer Records

Posted April 29, 2016

Information the more than 90,000 people who volunteered for the British Red Cross at home and overseas during the war is now online. The searchable records include time served, duties performed and awards received. Scans of the original index cards have been posted

The Canadian National Digital Heritage Index (CNDHI) is Now Live

Posted April 14, 2016

This current and regularly updated index of the digitized collections in Canada provides links to over 600 digital collections. Collections include newspapers, images, maps, government records and much more.

York's Archbishops Register Now Online

Posted March 7, 2016

Free access to over 20,000 images of Registers produced by the Archbishops of York, in northern England, from 1225 to 1650. The Registers record the formal acts of the Archbishop of York and are a great source for local and family history. An index of names is available.

Thousands of letters from Ireland in 1916 Digitized

Posted March 4, 2016

Maynooth Universtiy has a crowd-sourced digital collection of letters written around the time of the Easter Rising (1 November 1915 – 31 October 1916). You can search the letter for names of individuals or browse through them to find out more about life in Ireland during this important period. You can also join the project as a volunteer transcriber.

World War One British Army Chaplain Records

Posted January 28, 2016

The Museum of Army Chaplaincy has digitized more than 9000 C̲h̲a̲p̲l̲a̲i̲n̲ ̲I̲n̲t̲e̲r̲v̲i̲e̲w̲ ̲R̲e̲c̲o̲r̲d̲ ̲C̲a̲r̲d̲s̲ [Broken link removed] from World War One. The cards are a record Anglican clergy who applied to become Temporary Chaplains between October 1914 and November 1918 .

National Archives (USA) Launches History Hub

Posted January 27, 2016

History Hub is a pilot crowdsourcing platform sponsored by the National Archives. It is a place to share information, work together, and find people based on their experience and interests. It includes a section where genealogists can ask questions and share information.

Ukrainian Immigrants, 1891-1930

Posted November 19, 2015

This new database from Library and Archives Canada includes 14,793 references to names of Ukrainians who arrived in Canada taken from passenger lists and Notes about early Ukrainian settlers and pioneer families in Canada gathered by Dr. Vladimir Julian Kaye.

Immigrants to Canada, Porters and Domestics, 1899-1949

Posted November 12, 2015

This new database from Library and Archives Canada provides access to 8,653 references to names of domestics and some Black porters who arrived in Canada between 1899 and 1949.

Vancouver Genealogy Show

Posted September 2, 2015

October 3, 2015 (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

Members of the British Columbia Genealogy Society will offer advice to individuals and family members researching their family history. Participants are encouraged to bring details on their research to date. Beginners receive advice on where to begin their research, based on their knowledge and family documents.

New Digitized Library and Archives Canada Microfilms on the Héritage Portal

Posted August 13, 2015

Material on the Heritage Portal includes land records, Chinese immigrant registers, Japanese Canadian Citizens Association records, voters lists, and war diaries.

Search British Merchant Navy Crew Lists Online

Posted July 13, 2015

Volunteers have transcribed close to a million names of men who served in the British Merchant Navy in 1915. Records include name, rank, age, hometown and the name of the ship.

Images for Ontario Births, Marriages and Deaths now on FamilySearch

Posted July 13, 2015

Images for Ontario birth records from 1869-1910, marriage records from 1869-1927, and death records from 1869-1937 have been added to the Ontario Historical Records Collection. Find out more on our Ontario Civil Registration page.

Sessions from Gobal Family Reunion Conference are Now Online

Posted June 18, 2015

The conference was held on June 6 in New York City. Speakers included Henry Louis Gates, Dr. Oz, CeCe Moore and Joshua Taylor.

Family Research: Coming to Canada - A Look at Immigration and Shipping Records

Posted June 15, 2015

The British Columbia Genealogy Society presents a panel discussion on immigration and shipping records which allow individuals to trace the journey of their ancestors to Canada. The majority of records relate to passengers arriving between 1880 and 1920, however, other sources of information are also available. Rob Whitlock, president of the Society, will moderate.

June 16, 2015 (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM)
Central Branch - Alma VanDusen and Peter Kaye Rooms

Archives of Ontario Releases New Vital Events Records

Posted May 21, 2015

This set of microfilm records covers registrations for 1917 Ontario births, 1932 marriages and 1942 deaths, as well as all indexes. They are avaialble through our Interlibrary Loans service. Learn more on our Ontario Civil Registration page.

Top 100 Genealogy Sites Mega-Search

Posted May 19, 2015

This new search engine [broken link removed] allows you to search the 2015 Genealogy in Time‘s Top 100 Web Sites. The search is a simple keyword Google search and you can limit your search to 46 free web sites. Can be a good way to find new resources on the Internet.

Genealogical DNA Database Used to Link an Innocent Man to a 20-year-old Murder Case

Posted May 4, 2015

Police in Idaho gained access to the Sorenson database, one of the largest collections of genetic genealogy data in the world. A close match led them to investigate an innocent man. This article raises serious concerns about the use of DNA gathered for genealogical purposes for law enforcement.

Paston Letters Now Online

Posted May 1, 2015

The British Library has made a collection of more than 1000 letters and other documents from a 15h century Norfolk family available.

Discover Photographs of Mennonite Life in Canada and around the World

Posted March 23, 2015

Over 80, 000 historic photos are now available at the Mennonite Archival Image Database.

England’s Immigrants 1330 – 1550: Resident Aliens in the Late Middle Ages

Posted February 19, 2015

The Universities of York and Sheffield, together with the National Archives, have teamed up to provide a searchable database of over 64,000 people who arrived in England in the 14th through 16th centuries. Records were collected from a variety of sources and information can include origin, place of residence and occupation.

New Database at VPL: Points to the Past

Posted February 12, 2015

Points to the Past contains 200 million pages of historical content. This Gale product has been generously funded by: Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, and UBC. It is free to all BC residents. It includes searchable primary source material dating from 1450 to 2010 mostly from the United Sates and Great Britain, with access to over half a million books, digitised newspapers as far back as the 1600s and 6.5 million manuscript pages.

The London Times is available back to 1785 and allows you to search for obituaries, birth and marriage announcements.

New City Directories from Library and Archives Canada

Posted January 31, 2015

Over 150 new directories for the Ontario cities of Hamilton, Kingston and London and for the counties of Southwestern Ontario from the 1850s to the early 1900s are avaialble. Directories include names, addresses, professions and businesses.

Online Index to Wills from England and Wales

Posted December 29, 2014

The UK government has launched an index of over 40 million wills going back to 1858. The index includes names, date of death, address, and next of kin. It is currently in beta testing, but is available to the public.

Changes to the Procedures for Microfilm Orders from the Family History Library

Posted December 11, 2014

We've made some changes to our procedures for microfilm orders from the Family History Library. See Borrowing Microfilms from the Family History Library for more details.

Genealogy Help from Guangzhou Library Genealogy Reference Centre

Posted November 4, 2014

For those seeking genealogical records or information about families within the city of Guangzhou and Guangdong Province you can send your questions via email to Guangzhou Library Genealogy Reference Centre at: gtdfwxs@gzlib.gov.cn or Telephone #: (020) 83839820. For more infomration, check out our Chinese Canadian Genealogy guide.

British Red Cross Launches Database of First World War Volunteers

Posted October 26, 2014

Personnel records can be searched by name and include infomation on dates served, locations and tasks performed. Currently 30 000 records available. Database to be complete in a year.

Library and Archives Canada Announces Major Update to the 1861 Census of Canada Database

Posted August 21, 2014

More than 133, 000 records were corrected.

Records for the cities of Hamilton, Kingston, London, Ottawa and Toronto previously mislabeled now appear as districts. Other records have been recovered and image linking errors corrected.

Find out more at Library and Archives Canada Blog.

New Civil Registration Records Available from BC Archives

Posted July 30, 2014

More recent data has been received from Vital Statistics and is now available.

New legislation restricts the future release of birth information from 100 years to 120, so no new data will be added for births. Marriages will be added for the year 1938, as well as deaths for the year 1993.

Learn more about finding these records on our BC Civil Registration page.

Library and Archives Canada to Digitize 640,000 First World War Service Files

Posted January 30, 2014

As part of the centennial commemoration of the First World War, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) will digitize 640,000 personnel service files of the First World War’s Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) members.

As part of the First World War commemorations, Canadians will be able to research high-quality digital copies of all service files, anytime and anywhere, by 2015. The newly digitized files will complement the approximately 13,500 service files and the more than 620,000 attestation papers already available on LAC’s website.

Canadians will be able to consult the newly digitized service files in the existing database, Soldiers of the First World War – CEF, on LAC’s website as they become available. The first series of files is expected to be added as of Summer 2014. After digitization, the originals will be permanently stored thus ensuring their preservation.

To learn more, please see the Library and Archives Canada News. [broken link removed].

Remembering The Great War - 1914-1918

Posted November 19, 2013

With the 100th anniversary of World War I in 2014, here are two websites which focus on the Great War and Canada’s participation in it.

The University of Victoria presents a new site A̲ ̲C̲i̲t̲y̲ ̲G̲o̲e̲s̲ ̲t̲o̲ ̲W̲a̲r̲ [broken link removed] featuring the roles various Canadian cities played during the Great War 1914-1918. The City of Victoria is used as a model, with other interested communities invited to participate. Features include a diverse document archive, with images of war diaries, maps, correspondence, and artifacts as well as documents pertaining to topics such as gender and race during the war. Under "Records of Service" users can search for Canadian soldiers through various filters, including region and country of birth, religion, and occupation. For interested teachers and educators, there is also a section connecting the Great War to the high school curriculum, which includes a fun sample assignment for students.

The second is the Canadian Great War Project, a work-in-progress site whose goals are to identify every Canadian man and woman that served during the war and to promote interest in Canada’s participation in the Great War. Along with military records, such as attestation papers, the site features war diaries, statistics on the war, books and media, memorials, rolls and awards, images, letters and news clippings.

Ancestry.ca Launches Only-Known Collection of Early 19th Century Passenger Lists

Posted October 1, 2013

TORONTO (Sept. 25, 2013) – Ancestry.ca, Canada’s largest family history website, announced today the launch of almost 200,000 passenger records dating from 1819 to 1836, documenting passengers travelling between Quebec City and Montreal on the ships of the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company.

The history of the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company is an important part of Canada’s history. Following the successful launch of his brewing company in the 1780s, John Molson and his sons expanded into the shipping industry by creating the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company. The vessels transported passengers and freight along the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City.

To learn more, please see the A̲n̲c̲e̲s̲t̲r̲y̲.̲c̲a̲ ̲p̲r̲e̲s̲s̲ ̲r̲e̲l̲e̲a̲s̲e̲ [broken link removed]. Search Ancestry Library Edition for free at any VPL branch location.

US National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair

Posted August 26, 2013

Researchers looking for their US ancestors (or Canadian ancestors who passed through the United States) may want to check out the US National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair, September 3-4, 2013. This inaugural virtual fair will include live lectures and chat and a call-in genealogy help line. Visit the US National Archives website for more information.

1921 Census of Canada Images Now Available Online

Posted August 8, 2013

The 1921 Census of Canada is finally here! You can now browse approximately 200,000 images of the collection for FREE via Ancestry.ca, who is also busy indexing all 8.8 million records. Be sure to return often for updates – the entire collection will be indexed and ready to search later this year (subscription required).

Ancestry is a popular collection of databases for international genealogical research. Highlights include images and indexes to Canadian, UK and US census records, Ontario birth, marriage and death records, and much more. It's a subscription website, but there's also a library version known as Ancestry Library Edition. Visit any VPL branch location and access the Ancestry collections for free (tip: bring your USB flash drive or mobile device).

Eastman's Online Genealogy Calendar of Events

Posted July 16, 2013

Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter has a new feature: the G̲e̲n̲e̲a̲l̲o̲g̲y̲ ̲C̲a̲l̲e̲n̲d̲a̲r̲ ̲o̲f̲ ̲E̲v̲e̲n̲t̲s̲ [broken link removed].

The calendar provides information about future genealogy conferences, seminars, conventions, cruises, trips and even online "webinars." All of the information is provided by event organizers, organizations and readers of the newsletter. Currently there are events listed for Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, the United States, Australia, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

For programs at the Vancouver Public Library, please visit the Library's Events Calendar.

International Day of Families

Posted May 15, 2013

In 1992, the General Assembly of the United Nations established May 15th as the International Day of Families.

"Families hold societies together, and intergenerational relationships extend this legacy over time. This year’s International Day of Families is an occasion to celebrate connections among all members of the constellation that makes up a family. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how they are affected by social and economic trends - and what we can do to strengthen families in response." - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message for 2013

Explore the history, business and exciting developments in family history research with this article and video: Who Am I? Data and DNA Answer One of Life's Big Questions: The Eternal Search for Our Ancestors is Reaching its End Game.

Family Tree Magazine's Top 40 Genealogy Blogs

Posted May 2, 2013

Family Tree Magazine has posted a Top 40 Genealogy Blogs list to their website. If you're not familiar with blogs, check some of these out. Blogs can be a great way to stay up-to-date on a topic. For genealogists, they're a great way to discover helpful research and technology tips, find how-to information, discover products and resources, and more.

The Top 40 list is organized into six categories. You can find blogs that provide (1) Good Advice, offer good (2) Tech Support, will help you with (3) Gravestone Matters, provide (4) Heritage Help, give good (5) Shop Talk, and offer (6) Story Time. Maybe one or two of your favourite blogs is on the list, but hopefully you'll also discover one or two that will become a favourite daily read and will help you with your research.

To find other lists on the Family Tree Magazine website, use the search box in the top right of the screen and enter keywords like "best" or "top".

Updated 1881 Census Database

Posted April 30, 2013

Library and Archives Canada has released an updated 1881 Census of Canada. This new version includes suggestions for corrections that were received from users in recent months, as well as revised district and sub-district information.

This second general census covered the seven provinces and one territory that were then part of Confederation: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories.

DNA Day

Posted April 25, 2013

DNA Day commemorates the day in 1953 when James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin and colleagues published papers in the journal Nature on the structure of DNA. On April 25, 2003, the Human Genome Project announced it was very close to completing their scientific project to sequence, identify and map the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes of the human genome.

Interested to find out what your DNA can tell you about your ancestors? Curious to know how it can help with your genealogical research? Here are some resources to help get you started:

• 'DNA genealogy' (VPL catalogue search)
• International Society of Genetic Genealogy
• All About the Human Genome Project (National Human Genome Research Institute)
• Genealogical DNA test (Wikipedia)

New Enhancements to FamilySearch

Posted April 19, 2013

SALT LAKE CITY — FamilySearch International, a nonprofit, volunteer-driven genealogy organization, announced the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance—all for free. Find out more at:

• New Online Tools Help Preserve and Share Precious Family Photos and Memories
• FamilySearch.org

BC Land Grant Records

Posted March 4, 2013

FamilySearch has digitized British Columbia land grant records from 1851-1874. These records describe the sale or transfer of specific parcels of Crown land from the provincial government to private persons and organizations, including Hudson's Bay Company grants. This is a browsable database; there is no search function.

Browse these records here: British Columbia, Crown Land Grant Records, 1851-1874

For more information on these and other land title records, see our Land Records page.

1911 Nominal Census Index for Canada Now Online

Posted February 26, 2013

The 1911 Canadian census has been indexed and can now be search by name online. See Library and Archives Canada's Census of Canada, 1911 web page to start your search.

For more information on this and other historical Census records for Canada, see our Census Records page.

Reproduction Services

Posted February 22, 2013

What do you do if you identify a document but a copy is not available through your local library or through interlibrary loan and you are unable to visit the repository? Did you know that some institutions provide reproduction services, and that some of these institutions now provide digitized reproduction services? How great is that?!

The main thing to note about this type of service is that it is a "reproduction" service and not a "research" service. Institution staff will not conduct research for you. You must provide details about a specific document. Read carefully through any information and/or forms available to make sure you understand what is available, what information you must provide, and how the service works before you place your request.

Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada's Reproduction Requests are submitted electronically using an online form. Include reference numbers or as many details as possible concerning the document(s) for which you are requesting a reproduction. You are required to complete a form for each document or your order will be returned to you. For details on prices be sure to visit the P̲r̲i̲c̲e̲ ̲L̲i̲s̲t̲ ̲a̲n̲d̲ ̲S̲e̲r̲v̲i̲c̲e̲ ̲S̲t̲a̲n̲d̲a̲r̲d̲s̲ [broken link removed] web page.

FamilySearch
The Family History Library (FHL) now provides digital copies of items in the catalog. This service is for patrons that do not have local access to a Family History Center, and for those records that may not be available to a local Family History Center. These and other criteria will be used by Family History Library staff prior to fulfilling cases, so check through the Photoduplication Services wiki entry before you send in your request.

Did you know? VPL is an affiliate FHL library. This means that you can borrow microfilms for a fee from the Family History Library and have them sent to VPL's Central Library for viewing.

1906 and 1916 Nominal Indexes Now Available Online

Posted January 29, 2013

The 1906 and 1916 Canadian census records have been indexed and can now be searched by name online. See Library and Archives Canada's Census of the Northwest Provinces, 1906 and Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1916 web pages to start your search.

For more information on these and other historical Census records for Canada, see our Census Records page.

Ontario Overseas Death Records, 1939-1947

Posted January 4, 2013

The Vancouver Public Library now owns the complete set (11 reels) of Ontario Overseas Death Records, 1939-1947. The reels are in the genealogy collection on Level 6 of the Central Library. Note that these are complete records, unlike all the other Ontario birth, marriage, and death reels at VPL which contain index entries only. For more information on finding Ontario civil registration records at VPL, visit our page on Ontario Civil Registration.