Well, as many will know, the past months have all been very busy - and no time for blogging or my own genealogy. January was a bit of a blur too, but March seems to be brighter, maybe with the 'time change'.  Of course, I did attend RootsTech Conference last month, online, and that was fun. I'd surely like to attend in person one more time, so I should start saving my nickels. (No new pennies in Canada, and really not many nickels around every day either.)   If by any chance you didn't attend RootsTech, go now online. Lots there to learn and do. All you need is to register ..read more

 Nearing the last of our Baker's Dozen of Vancouver Resources but never least - The City of Vancouver Archives - 90 years young this year - an essential source for Vancouver research. I like to point people to this page which has guides to research at the Vancouver Archives, including genealogy, house history and more: https://vancouver.ca/your-government/research-at-the-archives.aspx  The guides for genealogy include Directories (1882 to 1996; also some BC Directories), Mountain View Cemetery records, Voters' lists (1886 to 1992), News clippings, Private-sector records, Photogr ..read more

 So you've looked at some death records for Vancouverites. What did they leave behind, if anything? Do check to see if you can find if they left a will and/or an estate.   Start at the FamilySearch Wiki page which has links to information and indexes and images for British Columbia wills and probate files: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/British_Columbia_Probate_Records I recommend you read the BC Archives guides first; links are on the above FamilySearch Wiki page.  British Columbia Archives Research Guide to Probated Wills" and ""British Columbia Archives Research Gu ..read more

To research people in Vancouver, it's best to know at least a little about its history, neighbourhoods and transportation.  And its place in what we often still call 'Greater Vancouver'.  Here are just a few online resources illustrating Vancouver's streetcar history.  Hastings Streetcar with ads, Route No 20, Vancouver 1944. Photograph courtesy of City of Vancouver Archives CVA 586-1874: Public Domain. Creators listed as Don Coltman, Howard King, Warner Williams and Donn B.A. Williams (also donor). https://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/streetcar-ads-3 First, "Vancouver E ..read more

 Note: Today's resource is only available free to BC residents.  I did want to include this as I know many BCers haven't heard about this site.  (See the other link below for those who don't live in BC or the Yukon.) Over 125 years of B.C.'s heritage. Online access for anyone in B.C. or the Yukon. The Province (1894-2010) The Times Colonist (1884-2010) The Vancouver Sun (1912-2010) Although only one of these was always a Vancouver paper, if you search you will find plenty of Vancouver news in all these papers and indeed in other BC newspapers. Victoria is Britis ..read more

  Were you at the Abbotsford Family History Day last Saturday?  If not, you missed a great time. Although not quite as crowded as some years, this was the first big in-person event around here for a long time! We had lots of time to hear the talks, discuss topics, meet new people, buy books (yes, I did) and catch up with local genealogy groups and buddies 'live'.  Congratulations to the Abbotsford Family History Centre for this very successful event!  VANCOUVER BC Canada – Genealogy Approved Websites and Resources – A Baker’s Dozen I haven’t joined any of this year’s geneal ..read more

Yes, we do still love access to online talks and conferences both near and far away.   But! It's so good to see that there will be opportunities this year for genealogists to connect in person! Two events coming up in British Columbia, Canada  The Abbotsford Family History Day, Saturday, April 15th, 2023.  Abbotsford FamilySearch Centre. Lots of great speakers and talks, displays and more. Details soon: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Abbotsford_British_Columbia_FamilySearch_Centre I will be presenting two topics -  "Where are the Children in Your Family" "Resear ..read more

Today I finished reading Skeletons in the Attic by Canadian author Judy Penz Sheluk. She lives in northern Ontario and this book is one of her series, "A Marketville Mystery". Her website is:  https://www.judypenzsheluk.com/ A good read! wth a hard-to-guess ending.  Family secrets left to fester, with more than one skeleton hidden in the attic. Only Callie is left to figure out the mysteries and try to solve the disappearance of her mother so many years ago. I intend to read more from this author.  Still time for you to join the 2022-2023 Canadian Reading Challenge. Details ..read more

Still Zooming - and happy still to be talking with genealogists around the world.  Thngs are looking up locally - hoping to see one or two more 'real person' events coming soon. In the meantime,  BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS! ROOTSTECH 2023 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!  Choose either to attend in person in Salt Lake City, Utah, or online. Here's the link: https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/event/rt2023  GREAT 2023 NEWS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, TOO!  ABBOTSFORD FAMILY HISTORY DAY!  - all day, Saturday, 15th April, 2023. More details soon. Vancouver, BC - 2023 UNITED EM ..read more

 Are you a reader?  Do you read Canadian books and authors? Did you know there's an Annual Canadian Reading Challenge ! Neither did I till now. But you can sign up anytime, so I just did.  Go to Canadian Bookworm's website to learn all about the Challenge & sign up! The main idea is to  "read and review 13 or more Canadian books in a one year span: Canada Day to Canada Day eve". Usually I do short reviews on Amazon so that's likely where my reviews will be. As it happens I just reviewed a Canadian mystery by a British Columbia author set in Vancouver, British Columb ..read more