User:Rmbackus/sandbox/canada preparation

British Columbia government and church records are generally available and are the primary source of genealogical information.

Civil Registration and Vital Records
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 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: www.gov.bc.ca/vitalstatistics www.vs.gov.bc.ca

In British Columbia, records date from 1872, although those for the earlier years are not complete. There are also some baptismal records as early as 1849. Microfilm copies of original birth registration documents (1872-1903), marriage registration documents (1872-1928) and death registration documents (1872-1983) are available for onsite research at the British Columbia Archives and through FamilySearch (see below).

Online fillable applications for copies of these documents, together with relevant instructions, are available on the a Vital Statistics Agency web page. Click on the relevant link below to complete a form.
 * Birth certificate of a person who was born in B.C. but is now deceased.
 * Marriage certificate or registration photocopy.
 * Certified copy of a death registration for a person who died in B.C.
 * Certificate commemorating the stillbirth of a child.

To verify the need for these records for genealogy research purposes, submit an Application for Genealogy Certificate in conjunction with the applications noted above. For researchers, the Agency issues unique registration copies that make available all the information recorded on the original event record.

Online indexes to the above records are available on the British Columbia Archives Web site:

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

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. Also included are World War II overseas casualties for the years 1940 to 1945.

Through its Electronic Certificate Ordering System, orders can be placed for Birth, Death, or Marriage Certificates or certified photocopies of Birth or Marriage registrations for events that have taken place in British Columbia. Payment is made by credit card.

Information about this service can be found on the Vital Statistics Agency Online webpage at https://ecos.vs.gov.bc.ca/. Orders can be initiated by selecting the "Start" button on that page.

Use the Related Link "BC Vital Statistics" to the left of this page for more detailed information on these documents and to view Certificate samples. https://ecos.vs.gov.bc.ca/ http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/order-certificates-copies

Button and “Try…"

1. Civil Registration brief definition online links from the OGR actual government link for ordering certificates (if not already included)—also if it isn’t in OGR, add it there Instructions for writing and link to request form

2. Census table—but shorter version because census started later (see any county in Ontario) Add link to full Canada Census Records article (For more details, see Canada Census Records.)

3. Church records brief definition--child christening substitue for birth note that religion is given in census that many records require correspondence Family History Library instructions (change link to specific county) list of links to denominations (whittled down to specific diocese when applicable) Letter Writing Guide Add link to full British Columbia Church Records article (For more details, see British Columbia Church Records.)
 * Anglican
 * Baptist
 * Lutheran

2. Microfilm Copies of Church Records Searched at a Family History Center
First, try to find church records in the microfilm collection of the Family History Library. These microfilms may be ordered for viewing at Family History Centers around the world. To find a microfilm:


 * a. Click on '''Places within Canada, Alberta and open the drop down list.
 * b. Select your locality, if available.
 * c. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles. Notice whether there are cemetery records listed, too.
 * d. Choose the correct record type and time period for your ancestor.
 * de. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the microfilm listed for the record. FHL icons.png. The magnifying glass indicates that the microfilm is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the microfilm. Clicking on the microfilm reel will lead to information on how to rent the film. Family History Center staff will assist you in ordering the film.

4. Cemetery- see Cemetery table any Nova Scotia county if county article is weak, use nationwide links from Ontario Cemetery Records

British Columbia Counties County of Cariboo County of Kootenay County of Nanaimo County of Prince Rupert County of Vancouver County of Victoria County of Westminster County of Yale