British Columbia Civil Registration: Difference between revisions

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==Online Resources==
===Introduction===
*'''1872-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20459/canada-british-columbia-deaths?s=275764761 Canada, British Columbia Deaths] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
A government civil registration and vital statistics system usually registers all births, marriages, and deaths for citizens and residents, issues certificates for each, and compiles the resulting vital statistics. Also included may be name changes, divorces, and adoptions. In British Columbia, this responsibility lies with the Vital Statistics Agency of the Ministry of Health. British Columbia became a province of Canada in 1871 and began civil registration in 1872. However, Vital Statistics Agency records also include some delayed registration of pre-1872 events, colonial period marriages, and overseas war casualties.


==Online Collections with Images==
The following FamilySearch collections have images of the original registration documents when allowed by privacy laws of the province.  For a detailed description of a collection, after opening it click on the "Learn more" link located under the collection description.<br>


==Online Collections with Images==
*[http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy '''BC Archives (Royal British Columbia Museum) indexes to births (1854-1903), marriages (1871-1944), deaths (1872-1999), colonial marriages (1859-1872) and baptisms (1836-1888)''']
*{{RecordSearch|1307731|'''British Columbia Birth Registrations, 1854-1903'''}}:  Records include birth registrations, delayed birth registrations, and delayed registrations of Native American births.  
*{{RecordSearch|1307731|'''British Columbia Birth Registrations, 1854-1903'''}}:  Records include birth registrations, delayed birth registrations, and delayed registrations of Native American births.  
*{{RecordSearch|1307718|'''British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938'''}}
*{{RecordSearch|1307718|'''British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938'''}}
*{{RecordSearch|1538285|'''British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993'''}}: These registrations include overseas casualties, delayed death registrations, and delayed registrations of Native American deaths.  
*{{RecordSearch|1538285|'''British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993'''}}: These registrations include overseas casualties, delayed death registrations, and delayed registrations of Native American deaths.  
*{{RecordSearch|2001136|'''British Columbia, Victoria Times Birth, Marriage and Death Notices, 1901-1939'''}} collection offers newspaper clipping substitutes for original birth, marriage, and death records.  The collection is described as follows:  "Newspaper clippings pasted onto cards and arranged chronologically. Includes the date (year, month, day) and page number on each card. The newspaper was variously known as the Victoria Times, Victoria Weekly Times, and Victoria Daily Times."
 
*{{FSC|662575|item|disp='''Pre-confederation marriage records, 1859-1872'''}}
The FamilySearch {{RecordSearch|2001136|'''British Columbia, Victoria Times Birth, Marriage and Death Notices, 1901-1939'''}} collection offers newspaper clipping substitutes for original birth, marriage, and death records.  The collection is described as follows:  "Newspaper clippings pasted onto cards and arranged chronologically. Includes the date (year, month, day) and page number on each card. The newspaper was variously known as the Victoria Times, Victoria Weekly Times, and Victoria Daily Times."


==Online Index Collections==
==Online Index Collections==
Ancestry.com and Findmypast collections can be searched free-of-cost at a [[FamilySearch Centers|'''FamilySearch Center''']] near you.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6092 '''British Columbia, Canada, Birth Index, 1851-1903''']:  ($) "The Vital Statistics Agency has released registrations of births that are at least 100 years old..."
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6095 '''British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935''']: ($) "The Vital Statistics Agency has released registrations of marriages that are at least 75 years old..."
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6093 '''British Columbia, Canada, Death Index, 1872-1990''']:  ($)  "The Vital Statistics Agency has released registrations of deaths that are at least 20 years old..."
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-columbia-canada-death-index-1872-1992 '''British Columbia, Canada, Death Index, 1872-1992'''] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1973 '''Canada, War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty), 1914-1948'''] ($)  The collection can be browsed by province.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8961 '''Canada, Obituary Collection, 1898-2015''']:  ($) This collection of substitute vital information was compiled from hundreds of newspapers.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2492 '''Central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, Newspaper Birth, Marriage & Death Indexes, 1911-1990''']: ($) This substitute vital information was extracted from three newspapers serving the Campbell River, British Columbia, area in central Vancouver Island.<br>


British Columbia indexes are also found in the FamilySearch {{RecordSearch|1520604|'''Canada Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959'''}} collection.
British Columbia Archives, Royal British Columbia Museum
675 Belleville Street<br>
Victoria, BC V8W 9W2<br>
1-250-356-7226<br>
1-888-447-7977<br>
reception@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca<br>
Genealogy and Family History Web page:  http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/genealogy/Pages/introduction.aspx<br>


==Background Information==
Indexes of births (1854-1903), marriages (1872-1941), deaths (1872-1996), colonial marriages (1859-1872), and baptisms (1836-1888) can be viewed online at the [http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy Genealogy search page]. A [http://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/help/genealogy/genealogysearch.pdf guide] for searching the records can be opened by clicking on the help link.<br>
A government civil registration and vital statistics system usually registers all births, marriages, and deaths for citizens and residents, issues certificates for each, and compiles the resulting vital statistics.  Also included may be name changes, divorces, and adoptions.  In British Columbia, this responsibility lies with the Vital Statistics Agency of the Ministry of Health. British Columbia became a province of Canada in 1871 and began civil registration in 1872. However, Vital Statistics Agency records also include some delayed registration of pre-1872 events, colonial period marriages, and overseas war casualties.
== What Can these Records Tell Me? ==
[[British Columbia, Index to Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records]]<br>
The following information may be found in baptisms records:<br>
{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
*Child’s name
*Child's birth date and place
*Baptism date and place 
*Gender
{{col-break}}
*Parents’ names
*First Nation or tribal affiliation 
*Aboriginal name
{{col-end}}
<br>
*{{RecordSearch|1307731|'''British Columbia Birth Registrations, 1854-1903'''}}
:The following information is provided in the index:
:*name
:*gender
:*birth date
:*birth place
:*registration number
:*British Columbia Archives (BCA) microfilm number
:*Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) microfilm number
:The index will only confirm the existence of a record on microfilm for the date listed. Once you have found an entry you can then view the actual record by obtaining a copy of the microfilm, and/or by contacting the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency (http://www.hlth.gov.bc.ca/vs/index.html)
<br>


*{{RecordSearch|1307718|'''British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938'''}}
Ancestry index collections are listed below.  Information regarding record release periods is noted for those with original vital records. ($)
::The following information is provided in the index: surname, given name, gender, year, month, day, event place, registration number, British Columbia Archives microfilm number, Genealogical Society of Utah microfilm number. The index will only confirm the existence of a record on microfilm for the date listed. Once you have found an entry you can then view the actual record by obtaining a copy of the microfilm, and/or by contacting the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency (http://www.hlth.gov.bc.ca/vs/index.html)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6092 '''British Columbia, Canada, Birth Index, 1851-1903''']: "The Vital Statistics Agency has released registrations of births that are at least 100 years old..."
<br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6095 '''British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935''']:  "The Vital Statistics Agency has released registrations of marriages that are at least 75 years old..."
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6093 '''British Columbia, Canada, Death Index, 1872-1990''']:  "The Vital Statistics Agency has released registrations of deaths that are at least 20 years old..."
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1973 '''Canada, War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty), 1914-1948''']  The collection can be browsed by province.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8961 '''Canada, Obituary Collection, 1898-2015''']:  This collection of substitute vital information was compiled from hundreds of newspapers.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2492 '''Central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, Newspaper Birth, Marriage & Death Indexes, 1911-1990''']: This substitute vital information was extracted from three newspapers serving the Campbell River, British Columbia, area in central Vancouver Island.<br>


*{{RecordSearch|1538285|'''British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993'''}}: These registrations include overseas casualties, delayed death registrations, and delayed registrations of Native American deaths.  
British Columbia indexes are also found in the FamilySearch {{RecordSearch|1520604|'''Canada Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959'''}} collection.
::The following information is provided in the index: surname, given name, gender, year, month, day, event place, registration number, British Columbia Archives microfilm number, Genealogical Society of Utah microfilm number. The index will only confirm the existence of a record on microfilm for the date listed. Once you have found an entry you can then view the actual record by obtaining a copy of the microfilm, and/or by contacting the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency


==Ordering Register Copies from the Vital Statistics Agency==
==Ordering Register Copies from the Vital Statistics Agency==
Line 74: Line 48:
V8W 9P3<br>
V8W 9P3<br>
Telephone: (Victoria & Outside B.C.) 250 952-2681, (within B.C.) 1 888 876-1633<br>
Telephone: (Victoria & Outside B.C.) 250 952-2681, (within B.C.) 1 888 876-1633<br>
*[http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/order-certificates-copies '''Web page with ordering forms and information''']
Web page with ordering forms and information: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/order-certificates-copies  
*[http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/forms/vital-statistics/vsa013_fill.pdf '''Application for Records''']  
 
Copies of original registration documents are available on microfilm at the British Columbia Archives, at several libraries in the province, and at the FamilySearch Library (see below).  To order copies from the Vital Statistics Agency, click [http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/forms/vital-statistics/vsa013_fill.pdf '''here'''] to open an online fillable Application for Genealogy Certificate.  Included with the application are relevant instructions, including the address to which the application is to be sent and the fee.  Event records are available when the individuals have been dead for at least 20 years.  Attach a copy of the entries you found in indexes to avoid errors.
 
[[Category:British Columbia, Canada]]
[[Category:British Columbia, Canada]]
{{British Columbia|British Columbia}}
{{British Columbia|British Columbia}}

Revision as of 10:34, 8 June 2017

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Introduction[edit | edit source]

A government civil registration and vital statistics system usually registers all births, marriages, and deaths for citizens and residents, issues certificates for each, and compiles the resulting vital statistics. Also included may be name changes, divorces, and adoptions. In British Columbia, this responsibility lies with the Vital Statistics Agency of the Ministry of Health. British Columbia became a province of Canada in 1871 and began civil registration in 1872. However, Vital Statistics Agency records also include some delayed registration of pre-1872 events, colonial period marriages, and overseas war casualties.

Online Collections with Images[edit | edit source]

The following FamilySearch collections have images of the original registration documents when allowed by privacy laws of the province. For a detailed description of a collection, after opening it click on the "Learn more" link located under the collection description.

The FamilySearch British Columbia, Victoria Times Birth, Marriage and Death Notices, 1901-1939 collection offers newspaper clipping substitutes for original birth, marriage, and death records. The collection is described as follows: "Newspaper clippings pasted onto cards and arranged chronologically. Includes the date (year, month, day) and page number on each card. The newspaper was variously known as the Victoria Times, Victoria Weekly Times, and Victoria Daily Times."

Online Index Collections[edit | edit source]

British Columbia Archives, Royal British Columbia Museum 675 Belleville Street
Victoria, BC V8W 9W2
1-250-356-7226
1-888-447-7977
reception@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
Genealogy and Family History Web page: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/genealogy/Pages/introduction.aspx

Indexes of births (1854-1903), marriages (1872-1941), deaths (1872-1996), colonial marriages (1859-1872), and baptisms (1836-1888) can be viewed online at the Genealogy search page. A guide for searching the records can be opened by clicking on the help link.

Ancestry index collections are listed below. Information regarding record release periods is noted for those with original vital records. ($)

British Columbia indexes are also found in the FamilySearch Canada Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959 collection.

Ordering Register Copies from the Vital Statistics Agency[edit | edit source]

British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency
PO Box 9657, Stn. Prov. Govt.
Victoria, BC
V8W 9P3
Telephone: (Victoria & Outside B.C.) 250 952-2681, (within B.C.) 1 888 876-1633
Web page with ordering forms and information: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/order-certificates-copies

Copies of original registration documents are available on microfilm at the British Columbia Archives, at several libraries in the province, and at the FamilySearch Library (see below). To order copies from the Vital Statistics Agency, click here to open an online fillable Application for Genealogy Certificate. Included with the application are relevant instructions, including the address to which the application is to be sent and the fee. Event records are available when the individuals have been dead for at least 20 years. Attach a copy of the entries you found in indexes to avoid errors.