User:Rmbackus/sandbox/canada preparation

General Province Information
British Columbia is the westernmost province of Canada. From 1858–1871, it was called British Columbia, British Colonial America. Approximately 200,000 Aboriginal people live in British Columbia. These include First Nations, the predominant group south of the Arctic, the Inuit in the Arctic area, and the Métis, who descend primarily from First Nations people and European settlers.

Jurisdictions
British Columbia counties are responsible for the administration of justice, and not for the administration of government. They include the Counties of Cariboo, Kootenay, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Victoria, Westminster, and Yale. Local government is organized by municipalities and, in the absence of an incorporated municipality, by regional districts. Admin Boundaries: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/data/geographic-data-services/land-use/administrative-boundaries

Priority Records to Search
Government and church records are generally available and are the primary source of genealogical information in western Canada provinces.

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.

The British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency is the provincial government agency legislatively mandated to register events, provide certification and identity information management services for all vital events occurring in the Province of British Columbia. (Each province in Canada maintains its own registry.)

This Electronic Certificate Ordering System has been developed by the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency, Ministry of Health. With this Electronic Ordering System you can order Birth, Death or Marriage Certificates and/or certified photocopies of Birth or Marriage registrations for events that have taken place in British Columbia. Payment will be made using your valid credit card. The service is completely electronic - no need to download an application and mail it in!

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