British Columbia Genealogical Society
211-12837 76th Avenue V3W 2V3 Surrey, BC, Canada

The BCGS Genealogical Library will continue to be closed until at least February 6, 2021. The library has been closed since November in response to the Province of BC State of Emergency put in place because COVID-19. We are monitoring the situation closely and will open as soon as it is safe for our volunteers (some of whom are elderly) and researchers. We hope to see you all soon!

"The contributions and struggles of Black Loyalists who founded many of Nova Scotia's most historic communities is being marked with a commemorative coin announced Monday by the Royal Canadian Mint. The Black Loyalists were a group of people of African birth or descent who emigrated to Nova Scotia because of the American War of Independence against Britain. In an effort to gain support, the British declared that any enslaved people would receive freedom and land if they took up arms for the British cause. The British ultimately lost and their supporters moved north, with more than 3,000 Black Loyalists arriving between 1783-1785."

Ever wonder what the FamilySearch granite vault looks like in Utah? This is an older video but the immensity of the vault is truly impressive.

My personal favourites are "Myth 8: Hey look, it’s our family crest!" and "Myth 1: Surnames were changed at Ellis Island".

Barnard Avenue, Vernon. Photo from 193[?]. Credit: BC Archives.

Are you just getting started in Canadian genealogy? You may want to register for this free webinar from FamilySearch on March 4th. Research in Canada: An Introduction This class will introduce background information for each province, learn the difference between records in the U.S. and Canada, and show the availability of records to use as you begin your ancestral hunt.... https://churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us//WN_6WUqJ9xXQiSEm9Lc_N

1912 Atlas of the City of Vancouver. Map published by Ricketts, Taschereau & Co. Ltd. Credit: Library and Archives Canada.