History of the BCGS Genealogical Library
It all started with a small group of people who shared a common interest
A ‘small idea’ that eventually outgrew its surroundings. The date was February 12, 1971 and the meeting place was the Richmond Arts Centre. Under the direction of Mrs. Gay Husband, a small genealogical resource library was created. In its early days, the library consisted mainly of books and materials donated by these first few members, namely Jim Anderson, Helen Bunch, Lila Burgess, Betty Harvey, Alice Marwood, Margaret Orlandi, and Ann and Phillip Yandle. The British Columbia Genealogical Society was born with the election of the first four interim officers, Mrs. Gay Husband, President, Mrs. Lila Burgess, Secretary, Mr. Jim Anderson,,Vice President and Mrs. Alice Marwood, Treasurer.
A list of the founding members of the BCGS can be seen here.
“Members in photo are, from left to right, Peter Claydon, Eunice Robinson, Marg Steele, Tom Steele, Judy Emmerson, Keith LaChance, Dave Stannard, Marion Elder, and Shelly Tegart. The back of the head, might be of Maureen Hyde. ”
The Society’s initial efforts focused on increasing membership, educating society members and preserving British Columbia records for future generations. It was a non-profit organization, with a membership fee of only one dollar. Many books, records, etc. were donated by members and other libraries. Members of the Society collected, collated, sorted and organized a significant amount of data which was then published in the form of documents, records and instruction booklets designed to preserve British Columbia’s heritage and to be used in libraries and family history societies throughout the world.
As the contents of the library steadily grew, its resources expanded to the extent that re-location became necessary—on numerous occasions. Owing to size restrictions, monthly meetings were held at different locations, apart from where the library materials were kept. In its early days, the library records were moved between various member’s residences while from 1971 to 1974, the monthly meetings were held at the Richmond Arts Centre. The first Society symbol was designed by Bill Topping in 1972 and illustrated by artist Lillian Ytri. It was first used on the cover of the Society’s second quarterly issue, Winter 1972. In February 1975, a new BCGS Logo was completed based on Arthur Murdock Post’s idea, and illustrated by T.E. Southwell, a prominent Vancouver artist. It was described in the 1975 Quarterly:
“The BCGS has acquired a new emblem which graphically depicts our aims. The primary design element is an 18th century key which incorporates the pedigree symbol in the bow of the key. The outline of the Province of B.C. is depicted on the background with the overall design enclosed in a double circle. The key, of a kind in use at the time Captain Vancouver visited the area, indicates that our Society is in fact the key to genealogical research not only within the Province but throughout the world.”
In 1975, the Langara College Library allotted a few shelves to contain the Society’s library collection and from 1974 to 1977, the monthly meetings were held at the College as well. In 1976, the publication of Alex Haley’s book, Roots, initiated a new surge of interest in genealogy, but the time came when Langara College needed the extra space and the Society’s library had to be moved. For the next three years, the collection remained at the Blanchflower home while from 1977 to 1981, monthly meetings were held at Britannia Center in Vancouver.
On 3 February 1978 the British Columbia Genealogy Society was officially registered under the Society Act of British Columbia.
It had taken almost six years for the Society to formulate a constitution and by-laws that were acceptable to both the members and the Registrar. The constitution and by-laws would be updated as required to reflect changing needs and practices..
In January 1980, the Aberthau Community Centre near Jericho Beach donated an 800-square-foot floor space on the second floor to house the library collection and from 1981 to 1992, monthly meetings were held at St. Giles Church in Vancouver. In the twelve years that the library was kept at these premises, it grew to the extent that the weight of the books was causing the floor to sag so a new location was imminently needed. In December 1992, the books, which now numbered in the thousands, were placed in storage and from 1992 onwards, monthly meetings were held at Edmonds Community Centre in Burnaby..
The books were kept in storage for about a year, until a suitable site became available at 8th Avenue and Cambie Street in Vancouver. The library re-opened in April, 1993 and was officially opened by the then acting Mayor Phillip Owen on November 13, 1993. But by September 1994, the Society had to once again gather up the library of more than 6,000 books and thousands of journals, storing some in members’ homes and putting the major portion into storage. A Building Fund had been started, in the hopes that one day the Society would own a more permanent premises for its important collection. That time came when a bequest from Walter Draycott allocated a substantial contribution from the sale of his house as a donation to the Society.
Walter Draycott was born in England in 1883, moved to Lynn Valley (North Vancouver) in 1912, and passed away in 1985 at the age of 102. He had a long and notable history. He fought in the Boer War and the First World War, served with the Boy Scout movement, was an accredited genealogist, a naturalist, a Justice of the Peace and an author on the history of Lynn Valley among other writings. In 1999, Lady Patricia Mountbatten, Countess of Burma, came to Vancouver to dedicate a plaque honouring Walter, who had belonged to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. A statue of him stands at the corner of Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Highway in North Vancouver. Walter Draycot had been a member of the BC Genealogical Society for ten years and his genealogical research on his family history is now a part of the BCGS Resource Centre – a tribute to his memory..
The substantial contribution from this generous benefactor enabled the Society to achieve their goal and on May 22, 1996, the Society moved into its very own premises at #211, 12837 76 Street. The resource library collection was designated as the Walter Draycot Memorial Library in his honour, and for the first time, non-members could use the Resource Centre—it was ‘members only’ before then. The general public can now purchase a Reader’s Ticket for the day to use the facility..
Today, the Society remains committed to the following aims:
the perpetuation of British Columbia heritage.
the collection, publication, and preservation of those materials relevant to the promotion of ethical principles, scientific methods and effective techniques in genealogical and historical research.
The Research Centre continues to be run by volunteers dedicated to helping members and visitors interested in genealogy. A visit to the Centre just may inspire you to delve into your own family history. Genealogical research is akin to an ‘archaeological dig’ through streams of records that may lead you to discover some ancient ancestor forgotten long ago.
Members’ meetings are still being held the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
During the pandemic they were held by ZOOM and this continues.
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This article is a slightly updated and reworked version of an article written by Sylvia Pencer and printed in the The British Columbia Genealogist, December 2005, Volume 34, No.4, pp. 192-194. Much of the information in this article was sourced directly from the following references:
- Rogers, Barbara (edited by) and Maureen Hyde (compiled by) British Columbia Genealogical Society 1971-1996, The First Quarter Century Assisted by the Committee and Members of The British Columbia Genealogical Society. Richmond, B.C. Printed and bound by PrestoPrint 1998
- Marwood, Alice (Genealogist, a founding member) Interview 13 November 2004
- BCGS [former website]. “BCGS History Page”. August 5, 2003. British Columbia Genealogical Society. 6 November 2004
- Allen, Betty (Library Administrator). Interview. 14 November 2004
- Steele, Tom (Chairman of the Scottish Group). Interview. 6 November 2004
- Kitchen, Gil (President). Interview. 14 November 2004