British Columbia Genealogical Society
Pend d’Oreille River in The Kootenays
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 is OPEN Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am - 3pm. Drop in to check out our resources!
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The Library is OPEN Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am - 3pm. Drop in to check out our resources! 〰️
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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Getting Started with Legacy Family Tree (via Zoom)
Kathy Jones is presenting a four-week course by Zoom to get you started using Legacy Family Tree software
Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026; 7:00PM-8:30PM
FREE to BCGS Members, $40 for Non-members.
This four-week course will introduce you to the basics of Legacy Family Tree. For maximum benefit, please plan to attend all classes. Each week builds on knowledge learned the previous week. The first week covers an overview of the software's capabilities and how to use a GEDCOM file to transfer an existing family tree. In the second week, you design your home page and learn about backups. The third week covers tools, merging, colour coding, DNA, and privacy. The final class covers sources, printing reports, and advanced features.
Space is limited. - register today! -
BCGS Members' Surname Interests
BCGS maintains a register of our members’ surname research interests. Members can add as many surnames as they wish, along with the specific locations and dates they are researching.
The surname interests have now been updated, so be sure to take a look! And If you haven’t yet added your surname interests, we encourage you to do so. It’s a great way to connect with other members who may be researching the same families or surnames.
And there’s an added benefit: BCGS members’ surname interests are also included in the Family History Federation’s surname listings, giving your research interests even greater exposure and increasing the chances of making a valuable connection. -
Genealogy for Beginners (via Zoom)
These virtual classes will cover research basics, software programs, online databases, online/offline resources, and common issues and problems. These are perfect for the beginning researcher but a great refresher for any level of genealogical experience. Why not join us and jumpstart your research?
Presented by Celia Lewis and Eunice Robinson, two genealogists from the British Columbia Genealogical Society.
The course includes Class outlines and handouts for each week.
Classes are FREE for BCGS members & Affiliate Society members, $40 for non-members.
Next Classes Begin: Jan 2027
Mondays, 7-9 pm (6:40-9:15 Zoom)
Jan 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 8.
Registration will open in early October
To be placed on a waitlist for future classes, please email education@bcgs.ca.
Calendar of Upcoming BCGS Local & Zoom Events
14 October 2026
BCGS Members’ Meeting
via Zoom
Guest Speaker:
Members Chat - 7:00 - 7:30 pm
Meeting Starts - 7:30 pm
Members will receive a ZOOM invitation a few days ahead of the meeting. Non-members please contact info@bcgs.ca.
“What’s Up” In Genealogy in BC and Beyond
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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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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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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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Unraveling Family History with AI
Presented by the Kelowna & District Genealogy Soc. Monday 5 October at 6:45 PM via Zoom
Cost: KDGS members Free; non-members $10
Presenter: Diane Henriks
Explore how AI technology, exemplified by ChatGPT, can revolutionize your family history, by embarking on a journey through an ancestor's life, leveraging AI to uncover their story and shed light on the broader implications for genealogical research.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED. -
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My Most-Used Ancestry.com Tricks
Searching on Ancestry.com but not having success? Join SVGS on Saturday October 10, 2026, at 1pm for “My Most Used Ancestry.com Tricks” with Aimee Cross. Aimee is a professional genealogist and the host of YouTube channel AncestryAimee.com. Learn how to get the most out of Ancestry.com from a true power user with years of research experience. Can’t make it to the Burlington Library, request a zoom link by emailing info@skagitvalleygenealogy.org.
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Flittin' Day: Forces that moved our Scottish Ancestors. Virtual Conference Oct. 17&18
Presented by BIFHSGO
Moved by economic hardship, social clearance, or the promise of new horizons, our ancestors' decisions to relocate shaped history and families across generations. This year’s conference dives deep into the forces behind Scottish migration and emigration, offering expert speakers with invaluable insights and practical strategies to help you trace your family line back to their homelands in Scotland.
$40 BIFHSGO members; $60 non-members
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN -
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Abbotsford Family History Day October 17th
The 2026 Abbotsford Family History Day is the perfect chance for beginners and for those with experience doing family history research to dive into your family story, meet fellow family history enthusiasts, and share tips and tricks. Whether you are a seasoned genealogy researcher or just curious, there’s something here for everyone.
There will be three blocks of eight concurrent workshops covering a wide range of topics.
When: Saturday October 17th 8:30am-12:30pm In Person
Cost: FREE! -
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Campbell River Genealogy Soc. Fall Seminar
November 14th @ 9:30 am via Zoom
Presenter: Kathryn Lake Hogan
Cost: $10
1. What’s in your Canadian genealogy Toolbox? Fill your toolbox with the best websites to get you researching.
2. All Kinds of Loyalists. Was your ancestor a Loyalist?Pre-registration required.
