British Columbia Genealogical Society

Library Catalogue
BC Research Assistance
Members' Resources

Over Willison Bay near Atlin, BC
Photo Courtesy of Chris Albrecht

Welcome to the British Columbia Genealogical Society

We are a registered charitable organization with over 300 members from a variety of backgrounds and, like you, we all have an interest in researching our family history in British Columbia and beyond. We hope you will consider joining our Society.

The Library will be CLOSED for summer break from Saturday August 1st through Monday September 7th. We will re-open on Tuesday September 8th.

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The Library will be CLOSED for summer break from Saturday August 1st through Monday September 7th. We will re-open on Tuesday September 8th. 〰️

The BCGS would like to acknowledge the ceded and unceded Indigenous ancestral territories of BC and Canada. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn the history, culture and traditions of the First Nations Peoples, alongside our personal investigations of familial settler history and encourage everyone to reflect on the Indigenous history of the lands where they reside.

BCGS Activities and Highlights

  • Genealogy - The Next Step (via Zoom)

    A course for “after you’ve learned the basics”. This 5 week course will focus on in-depth research tips and techniques, particularly pre-civil registration dates.
    Presented by Celia Lewis and Eunice Robinson, BCGS genealogists.

    The course includes Class outlines and handouts for each week.

    FREE for BCGS members and Affiliate Society members
    $40 for non-members.

    Next Classes Begin: October 2026

    Details and Registration

  • Members' Meeting at 7:30 pm August 12th

    Guest Speaker: Abby Lizee
    Cleaning and Maintaining Headstones

    If you want to learn how to properly care for headstones, join us at our August meeting.

    Our guest speaker, Abby Lizee, will present a talk on caring for headstones, based on her work over the past several years in Maple Ridge. 

    Learn More Here

  • Coffee Chats are now live!

    ‍Dates for the upcoming chats are now on the Events Calendar below.

    ‍ If you are already registered for a coffee chat, you should have received an email confirming the upcoming date(s).  The email includes the Zoom link but you will receive a reminder email a day or two ahead of each chat which will also contain the Zoom link.

    ‍You do not need to re-register if you are already registered.

    ‍ If you did not receive an email for a coffee chat you are interested in, please find the registration link on the Coffee Chats pages or on the calendar to register.

    Questions? Email: webeditor@bcgs.ca

Calendar of Upcoming BCGS Local & Zoom Events

 

12 August 2026

BCGS Members’ Meeting
via Zoom

Guest Speaker:  Abby Lizee

Members Chat - 7:00 - 7:30 pm
Meeting Starts - 7:30 pm

Members will receive a ZOOM invitation a few days ahead of the meeting. Non-members please contact info@bcgs.ca.

 
2026 Meeting Schedule

“What’s Up” In Genealogy in BC and Beyond

  • ProQuest - Online Access to BC Newspapers

    ProQuest provides free online access to past issues of the Vancouver Sun (1912-2010), Vancouver Province (1894-2010) and Victoria Times Colonist 1884-2010) for anyone in B.C. or the Yukon.

    ProQuest

  • Canadian Letters and Images Project

    Canadian Letters & Images Project - A digitization project for those who served Canada in conflict or war. Learn how you can contribute and what has already been digitized.

    Canadian Letters

  • Legacy Family Tree Webinars

    The world’s most popular webinar website for genealogy and DNA testing, where you can enjoy a robust offering of live and recorded webinars presented by top speakers. Over 2000 webinars to choose from.

    Legacy Webinars

  • UELAC Vancouver Branch Loyalist Day Picnic on July 19th from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at Port Royal Park Queensborough

    Members, friends and families are all welcome to our “bring your own lunch” picnic.
    Address 215 Salter Street, New Westminster

  • Flittin' Day: Forces that moved our Scottish Ancestors. Virtual Conference Oct. 17&18

    Presented by BIFHSGO

    Moved by economic hardship, social clearance, or the promise of new horizons, our ancestors' decisions to relocate shaped history and families across generations. This year’s conference dives deep into the forces behind Scottish migration and emigration, offering expert speakers with invaluable insights and practical strategies to help you trace your family line back to their homelands in Scotland.
    $40 BIFHSGO members; $60 non-members
    Registration opens 1 September.

    Learn More

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