British Columbia Genealogical Society
Photo Courtesy of Chris Albrecht
Welcome to the British Columbia Genealogical Society
We are a registered charitable organization with over 300 members from a variety of backgrounds and, like you, we all have an interest in researching our family history in British Columbia and beyond. We hope you will consider joining our Society.
The Library will be CLOSED on the morning of Saturday March 8th, but will be open 12:30- 3PM
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The Library will be CLOSED on the morning of Saturday March 8th, but will be open 12:30- 3PM 〰️
The BCGS would like to acknowledge the ceded and unceded Indigenous ancestral territories of BC and Canada. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn the history, culture and traditions of the First Nations Peoples, alongside our personal investigations of familial settler history and encourage everyone to reflect on the Indigenous history of the lands where they reside.
BCGS Activities and Highlights
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Members Meeting & AGM Mar. 12th 7:30 pm via Zoom
Guest Speaker:Ron Williams
The Lost Fifty-Seven:
A Genealogical Journey of Discovery, Deception, Secrets, and ScandalJoin us! Non-members email
info@bcgs.ca to receive an invitation. -
BCGS Seminar with CHRIS PATON
SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2025
Chris will deliver two talks:
Scottish Burgh & Trade Incorporation Records
What is Ireland? Understanding the Lay of the LandFREE for BCGS members $20.00 for non-members
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**Open Research Day at the BCGS Library**
Sunday March 16th 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Join us for an Open Research Day at the BCGS Library - the largest genealogical library in Western Canada.
Calendar of Upcoming BCGS Local & Zoom Events
March 12, 2025
BCGS AGM and
Members’ Virtual Meeting
Members Chat - 7:00 - 7:30 pm
Meeting Starts - 7:30 pm
Guest Speaker: Ron Williams
The Lost Fifty-Seven: A Genealogical Journey of Discovery, Deception, Secrets, and Scandal
For a ZOOM invitation, please contact info@bcgs.ca.
“What’s Up” In Genealogy in BC and Beyond
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Canadian Letters and Images Project
Canadian Letters & Images Project - A digitization project for those who served Canada in conflict or war. Learn how you can contribute and what has already been digitized.
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ProQuest - Online Access to BC Newspapers
ProQuest provides free online access to past issues of the Vancouver Sun (1912-2010), Vancouver Province (1894-2010) and Victoria Times Colonist 1884-2010) for anyone in B.C. or the Yukon.
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Legacy Family Tree Webinars
The world’s most popular webinar website for genealogy and DNA testing, where you can enjoy a robust offering of live and recorded webinars presented by top speakers. Over 2000 webinars to choose from.
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The Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria
2025 Tours and Excursions
Our tours begin at 2 pm. No reservations needed. It costs $5 for non-members and $2 for members. The fee can be paid by cash or e-transfer.Tour locations are noted in the description. Most of our tours take place at Ross Bay Cemetery, RBC. For the Ross Bay Cemetery tours we meet at the cemetery entrance on Fairfield Road, opposite the south end of Stannard Street.
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RootsTech 2025
March 6 - 8, 2025
Registration is now open for RootsTech 2025. A huge learning and sharing opportunity for genealogists from around the world.
Attend in person or online.
Learn more and register via the link below. -
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AI and Genealogy, with Dave Obee
March 8th, 1-3 pm at the Burlington Library, or via Zoom
Join the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1pm for AI and Genealogy with Dave Obee, author, journalist, and genealogist. Dave has written a dozen books and has given more than 700 presentations at genealogy and history conferences. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library? Request a zoom link below.
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![Donna Rutherford]()
The Hull Mystery (the Story of John Dring)
15 March 2025 11am-1pm (EST)
Speaker: Donna Rutherford. Presented by The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History. The Hull Mystery uncovers a century-old secret about my great grandfather John Dring. Born in 1874 in Sculcoates Hull, Yorkshire, John ran off to New Zealand, unaware that his true parentage may have been hidden right next door. DNA evidence suggests that John might not have been who he thought he was – but did he know?
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Scottish Indexes Conference
Saturday March 15, 2025
Interested in tracing your Scottish genealogy? The Scottish Indexes Conference is an opportunity to learn new research skills, discover diverse records and see how others have put these into practice. If you want to trace your Scottish family tree, this is the event for you. It is a FREE online event.
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Caribbean Research for your British Ancestors
24 March 2025 11am-6pm (EST)
Presented by the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History. Join us for a genealogical journey through the Caribbean Islands! Our expert guides, Dan Poffenberger, AG, and Todd Knowles will describe the “five W’s” of Caribbean research. You’ve got questions? They’ve got answers!
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Nova Scotia Genealogy Virtual Conference
The Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia's annual virtual genealogy conference is returning for its third year from May 3 - 4, 2025. Registration is now open for this two day conference.
If you register by March 18 you can enter into our Brick Wall Buster Session where genealogical experts will tackle your toughest Nova Scotia genealogy brick wall.
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Briitsh Institute 2025
6 -10 October 2025 in Salt Lake City Presented by the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History. Attend in person or purchase access to video recordings.
Scotland: Chris Paton
Feudalism, Foes and Fornication: Tracing Your Family History in Scotland
Ireland: Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt,
Tracing Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors
England: Paul Milner
English Research: The Fundamentals and Beyond
