Those who are interested in exploring their family history may find the following Frequently Asked Questions and Resources useful.
This information is also available in a printable brochure, which can be viewed by clicking here - [PDF 71KB].
Frequently Asked Questions about Family History Research
Q. When did my ancestors arrive in Victoria?
A. A search through city directories gives an idea as to when a person arrived in Victoria. Unfortunately, this does not apply if you are searching for an unmarried woman. Passenger lists (see below) and the census records are also useful. Federal immigration records are available through the National Archives of Canada.
Q. Where can I find passenger lists?
A. In the early days, passenger lists were published in the daily newspaper. The City Archives does not have many of these, but some are available at the British Columbia Archives. Certain passenger lists are available online at the various sites including http://www.cyndislist.com/ships.htm.
Q. What if my ancestor is not buried at Ross Bay Cemetery?
A. In 1927, Royal Oak Burial Park became the main cemetery for the Greater Victoria area. In 1932, Hatley Memorial Gardens opened to serve the Western Communities. There are also numerous small church graveyards in Greater Victoria.
Q. How can I get a death notice from the years 1940 to 1984?
A. After establishing a date of death (check the British Columbia Archives' website Vital Events database), you can check the newspapers on microfilm at the Greater Victoria Public Library for death notices. These notices may also be available nationally and internationally through the inter-library loan service of your local library.
Resources for Family History Research
City Directories List
1860-1997 (not a complete set)
City directories can be useful to genealogists. They list residents of the City and environs, their address and often their occupation. Some directories include only the city, while others include Vancouver Island and British Columbia.
View City Directories List.
*City directories are not always accurate.
Census of Canada
1881 & 1891
Copies of the 1881 and 1891 federal census data, Victoria section, complied by the Public History Group at the University of Victoria, are available at the Archives. 1881 was the first year a census was compiled for British Columbia, because British Columbia joined confederation during the previous census year (1871). The Archives does not hold copies of the complete Canadian census, which are available at the Greater Victoria Public Library.
Census records can often be useful as they show name, marital status, birthplace, birthplace of parents, religion, age, sex, occupation, place of birth, relationship within the household etc.
*Census records have a high degree of inaccuracy.
*Names may be spelled incorrectly.
Death and Marriage Notices
1901-1939 (predominantly)
Obituary and marriage notices from the Victoria Daily Times are available for 1901-1939. Also available at the Archives are obituaries from the Times-Colonist, 1985 to June 1993. The earlier obituary and marriage notices are often very detailed and can provide considerable information. The marriage and death notice indexes are available online through the Archives' Vital Statistics Search page.
Photograph Subject Headings List
The City of Victoria Archives has an extensive photograph collection. Photographs are listed by subject headings. View Photograph Information and Subject Headings. Please note that the photographs themselves are not available online.
Clipping Files Subject Headings List
These extensive clipping files about the City of Victoria date mainly from 1985 but many articles from earlier newspapers are also included. These can be useful for information on prominent residents, ethnic groups, sports etc.
*View Clipping Files Subject List.
Fast Information File
This card file system provides general information on a wide variety of subjects including city features, streets, events, people, businesses and buildings. Arranged alphabetically.
Ross Bay Cemetery Records
1872-1981
These records are available on microfilm for the years 1872 to 1981. The information contained in the plot books include name, place of birth, place of death, date of death, time of death, plot location, officiating clergy and cause of death. By law, only records older than 20 years are available. Ross Bay Cemetery records are available online through the Archives' Vital Statistics Search page.
Voters Lists
1908-1992
These records are a City Records Series (CRS
21). They mainly cover the period from 1908 to 1992, although a few earlier
ones also exist. These records provide names and addresses. By law,
only records older than 20 years are available, and records that are available
can be viewed but not copied.
*Voters lists are not always accurate.
Tax Assessment Rolls
1864-1948
For genealogists, these records can confirm ownership of property. The
tax rolls are available on microfilm for the years 1864 to 1916. From the
1864 to 1871 they are accessed by name, from 1872 by lot number, and from 1916
by tax roll number. Tax assessment rolls consist of assessments made on
real property and improvements compiled for the purpose of determining taxes.
Tax assessment rolls show lot size, name of owner, land value and improvements
to the land (i.e. house). Further information about these records is available
in the City Record Series descriptions (CRS
150).
*When using tax assessment rolls it is useful to have the legal description of the property.
Private Records (PRs)
Private or non-governmental records that document the history and development
of Victoria are also acquired by the Archives through donation. Private
records consist of documents created in the normal course of affairs by a business,
organization or family, such as correspondence, journals, ledgers, photographs,
and property files. Private documents (PDs) generally consist of small accumulations
of miscellaneous material such as business cards, pamphlets, and postcards.
Descriptions of Private Records and Documents are available online through the
Archives' Private Records page.
Descriptions of many of the private records (but not the private documents)held by the Archives can also be accessed on the internet through the British Columbia Archival Union List (BCAUL). Although the descriptions on the BCAUL are not as detailed as those available on the Archives' web site or at the Archives, the BCAUL contains descriptions of records held by archives throughout British Columbia, and can therefore provide a more comprehensive search in some cases.
Reference Library
The Archives has a modest collection of publications dealing mainly with Victoria
local history. Although these items cannot be signed out of the Archives,
visitors are welcome to consult them in the reference room any time during open
hours. An index is available online through the Archives' Reference
Library page.
Please note that the Archives also has a wide variety of pamphlets and near-print material, as well as some rarer publications, which form part of the regular archival holdings rather than the reference library. These items are available for consultation in the Archives.
*The Who's Who publications are a good source for genealogists.
