British Columbia Land and Property Records

The early applications for preemptions and Crown grants began in the mid-1800s and are at the British Columbia Information Management Services. They have an index for the preemption land records (1859-1971) which they can search for you. (See the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline.) Copies of Crown grants can be made only for legal or court purposes. They give the name of the grantor and grantee, a description of the land, the date of transaction, and sometimes names of relatives. For copies, write to the appropriate land title office. If you have the legal description of the land, they can trace the title of the land back to previous owners. For addresses, contact the Headquarters of Court Services. Original Crown grants are at:

Surveyor General Crown Lands Registry Services Ministry of Environment Lands and Parks 3400 Davidson Avenue Victoria, BC V8Z 3P8 CANADA