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Archival description
Only top-level descriptions Vancouver Island (B.C.)
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Baptismal, marriage and burial church registers

  • GR-3258
  • Series
  • Microfilmed 1946 (originally created 1849-1903)

The series consists of copies of British Columbia baptism, marriage and death registers created by churches that conducted the ceremonies. Currently only records (baptisms 1849-1899; marriages 1864-1903) of St. Andrews Cathedral, Victoria , are available.

Churches were required to submit their baptismal registers to the Vital Statistics Division in the 1940s so the registers could be microfilmed. Vital Statistics subsequently created an alphabetical index to the microfilmed registers, and a database was created from the index volumes with supplementary information from the microfilmed registers added to the entries. This information is searchable via the BC Archives Genealogy database. The microfilm copies of the original registers may include some additional information or context that was not included in the database.

Each bound volume was created by one church. Each entry corresponds with one ceremony, but may involve multiple individuals. The entries within each volume are ordered chronologically and may be numbered. Every volume varies in the type and presentation of information included and may not be consistent throughout one volume. All entries include the date of the ceremony, name of individual(s) involved in the ceremony, and the name of the priest who conducted the ceremony.

Baptism register entries may also include name of child, date of birth, place of birth, sex of child, name and surname of father, name and maiden name of mother, residence of parents, profession of parents, religion of parents, name and surname of grandparents, religion of grandparents, and name and surname of godparents.

Marriage register entries may also include name and surname of groom, name and maiden name of bride, age of bride, age of groom, name and surname of their parents, name and surname of witnesses present, religion of named individuals, place of birth, and signatures of parties involved.

Death register entries may also include: death dates, cause of death, age at death, location of internment and information about the funeral ceremony.

Indigenous people are included in the registers (as Indians or Sauvages). Some Indigenous names are included. Many baptisms of Indigenous people were in groups and may only consist of a list of the Christian names the priest gave to the baptized individuals. Tribal or community affiliations may be included.

Some entries include the geographical location that the ceremony took place. This location may vary from the location of the church, as some priests travelled quite widely to conduct ceremonies.

British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency

Colonial correspondence : correspondence of the Government of the Colony of Vancouver Island, 1849-1866 and of the Government of the Colony of British Columbia, 1858-1871

  • GR-1372
  • Series
  • 1852-1872

GR-1372 is an artificial series, created by the Provincial Archives of British Columbia in the 1920s and 1930s from records of the governments of the Colony of Vancouver Island (1849-1866), the Colony of British Columbia (1858-1866) and the United Colony of British Columbia (1866-1871). The records, consisting of correspondence inward to and among officials and departments, were originally organized more or less chronologically as records of the department or agency to which they were sent, e.g. Colonial Secretary, Attorney-General, Commissioner of Land and Works, etc. Letters when received were logged into a register and assigned sequential numbers with the last two numbers of the year appended, creating the file number, e.g. 105/62. Some of these registers still exist, e.g. GR-0625. The correspondence was often accompanied by enclosures such as reports, sketches and maps which were considered part of the file.

Sometime during the 1920s and 1930s, Archives staff undertook to re-organize these records into a single alphabetical series organized primarily by the name of the originating office or sender (road tolls and petitions are notable exceptions). Formerly separate records were intermingled and the original order was lost. The records were indexed using new file numbers assigned for that purpose. These are the F numbers written in red crayon on the records. Starting with the number 1, each folder of records in the new alphabetical sequence was assigned a number as well as the individual files (items) within that folder, e.g. F33/1.

It appears that later insertions into the alpha sequence, after the initial assignment of numbers, were dealt with by using letters (e.g. F85a, F85b), or a number in parentheses (e.g. F79(1), F80a(1)). When an F file required more than one folder, either letters were added to subsequent folders, (e.g. F102, F102a, F102b) or numbers in parentheses were used (e.g. F142b(1), F142b(2)). The F numbers on the documents, however, were not affected by the change in numbering as they formed one continuous sequence (e.g. F102, files 1-9; F102a, files 10-22; F102b, files 23-30b).

Some of the correspondence was transcribed by Archives staff. These typed transcripts are either in the file folders together with the originals or in a separate file folder following the file folder with the originals. Most of the transcripts were not microfilmed and consequently do not appear on the microfilm reels. The records were microfilmed 1978-1980.

See attached finding aid for more information about the history, contents, and indexing of this collection.

Provincial Archives of British Columbia

J.F. Prowse fonds

  • PR-1522
  • Fonds
  • 1852-1853 [Photographed 1965]

The fonds consists of photographic extracts from a log kept by Midshipman James Ferris Prowse whilst aboard the H.M.S. Thetis under Captain Augustus L. Kuper. There are 90 negatives (2 negatives per page) and 42 print copies.

The printed extracts are those which have any mention of any place or point near Vancouver Island or Queen Charlotte's Island (Haida Gwaii), or of any item which might be of interest. These items are marked in red pen on the right hard edge of the photographic prints. The period covered is from the arrival of the ship outside the straits of San Juan de Fuca on May 22, 1852 to the time it sailed from Esquimalt Harbour for England on January 22, 1853.

Prowse, J.F.

Vancouver Island Supreme Court of Civil Justice bench book

  • GR-2032
  • Series
  • 1853-1856

Series consists of one bench book for Colony of Vancouver Island Supreme Court of Civil Justice civil and criminal cases heard by Judge David Cameron at Fort Victoria from November 1853 to January 1856 and one criminal case at Nanaimo in May 1854. It also includes civil cases heard at Victoria in the Inferior Court of Civil Justice in 1856. The volume additionally served as a criminal record book for 1853, a cause book for 1856, and a Registrar's record book for 1853. It opens with a notation that Judge Cameron's commission was read and that he took his seat on 6 October 1853. The Registrar also notes that he received the court seal from Judge Cameron.

Vancouver Island. Supreme Court of Civil Justice

Vancouver Island land registers

  • GR-2623
  • Series
  • 1855-1942

Bright, Cedar, Cranberry, Mountain, Nanoose, Nanaimo, and Wellington Land Districts, all on Vancouver Island, land registers, superceded 1928 (i.e. no further entries were made after 1928). The registers list the land in numerical order, usually by Range and Section, but occasionally by lot. There can be up to three methods of land description within one Land District. Information may include the name of purchaser, dates and number of certificate issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. The volume contains an index to districts by page number, and an alphabetical index to grantees.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands

Colonial Correspondence Index

  • GR-1920
  • Series
  • ca. 1930

This index covers most - but not all - files from 1 to 1212a (A - Na) in GR-1372 - correspondence inward to Vancouver Island and British Columbia colonial government officials. The indexing was done on cards, by name of sender, recipient and subject. It was never completed. Files 1212b - 1939 (Na-Z), and some correspondence in files 1-1212a have not been indexed.

Each index card provides the file number, and often a secondary number to indicate the specific item within that file e.g. F123 6 The numbers were written in red crayon on the first page of each document. The index also includes cards for records initially meant to be part of a Hudson's Bay Company correspondence collection and are designated as H.B.Co. files. This collection was abandoned and the records made part of separately catalogued records such as the Donald Ross papers.

The original card catalogue is available in the Reference Room.

Provincial Police correspondence and accounts

  • GR-0092
  • Series
  • 1858-1868, 1898-[ca. 1933]

The series consists of records created by the British Columbia Provincial Police Force between 1858 and ca. 1933.
The records include correspondence and other material regarding financial matters such as budgets, estimates, vouchers issued, revenue returns, bills, statements and receipts. The records also include correspondence and lists regarding stores, uniforms, equipment and supplies; vehicle reports and some colonial era records relating to Victoria and Vancouver Island police, prison, fire department and prisons.

British Columbia. Provincial Police Force

Customs Dept. letter book

  • GR-1733
  • Series
  • 1858-1876

The series consists of a letter book created by the Collector of Customs in the Vancouver Island Customs Dept. between 1858 and 1871 and the Canada Customs Department between 1871 and 1876. It contains copies of correspondence outward from the Customs Houses in Victoria and New Westminster. There is an index to the volume.
The Collector of Customs was based as follows:
A.C. Anderson, Victoria, July 1858 - April 1859
W. Hamley, Victoria, April 1859 - June 1859
W. Hamley, Queensborough, New Westminster, June 1859 - December 1868
W. Hamley, Victoria, January 1869 - June 1876

Vancouver Island (Colony). Customs Dept.

Account books

  • GR-0823
  • Series
  • 1858-1873

This series consists of three volumes of record books from the Colony of Vancouver Island Police and Prisons Department, and later and Colony of British Columbia Police, 1858-1873. Records include an account book, 1858-1863 (contains also some fire department accounts); requisition book, 1859-1861; record of constable's clothing and advance warrants, police and gaol, 1866-1873.

Vancouver Island (Colony). Police and Prisons Dept.

Cause books

  • GR-0657
  • Series
  • 1858-1882

This series consists of civil cause books from the Supreme Court of Vancouver Island, 1858-1870 and Supreme Court of British Columbia (Victoria), 1870-1882. All volumes are indexed. From 29 October 1866 fees relating to these cases are entered in the mainland fees book.

Vancouver Island. Supreme Court of Civil Justice

Comiaken Land District land register

  • GR-2626
  • Series
  • 1859-1885

This series consists of a Comiaken Land District land register for Range 1, Section 1 to Range 3, Section 19 on Vancouver Island. The volume date 1859-1885.

The register is arranged numerically by Range and Section and records the alienation of land from the Crown (by purchase, pre-emption, etc.). Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments and reference numbers to correspondence and field books. The volume includes an alphabetical name index.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Works

Goldstream and Highland District land register

  • GR-2633
  • Series
  • 1859-1930

This series consists of one land register for the Goldstream Land District and Highland Land District on Vancouver Island. Records cover Section XXIII, Rows 1-26, and R I W Section I to R III W, Section 26, (Goldstream), and R IV W, Sections 1-23, and Sections 1-94, in two sub volumes of the Highland (V.I.). Earliest entries date from 1859 and the volume was superseded by 1930 (i.e. no further entries were made after 1930).

The land is listed in numerical order and records the alienation of land from the Crown (by purchase, pre-emption, lease, etc.). Information may include, the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. The volume includes an alphabetical index.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands

Voter's lists and poll books for Vancouver Island

  • GR-0484
  • Series
  • 1860

This series consist of voters lists and poll books for the Vancouver Island House of Assembly elections, 1860-1866. Includes electoral districts of Nanaimo (1865), Esquimalt (1865), Victoria District and Victoria Town (1865, 1866) and Sooke (1866).

Vancouver Island (Colony). Sheriff

Records of the Colony of Vancouver Island Treasury

  • GR-4218
  • Series
  • 1860-1866

This series consists of a variety of records related to the Colony of Vancouver Island Treasury from 1853-1866. The majority of the records are various receipts, expenditures, estimates and financial statements of accounts. Accounts relate to a wide variety of government expenses, particularly those of the Land Office and transactions with the Hudson's Bay Company.

Other records include: a 1859 return of officers submitted to the Legislative Assembly detailing all employees of the colony, including their names, title, salary and remarks; an 1860 index of letters outwards including the date and subject; and a copy of the 1866 budget act with associated schedules.

Vancouver Island (Colony). Treasury

Canadian Collieries (Dunsmuir) fonds

  • PR-1156
  • Fonds
  • 1860-1940

The fonds consists of deeds and survey book, cash book (1901-1904) of coal accounts recording sales and shipments to various companies, a record book of employees (1918-1925), photographs of the Puntledge River power project and of the Comox and Union Bay Mines (1911-1922), and various forms and stock certificates (1921-1946).

Canadian Collieries Resources, Limited

Correspondence

  • GR-1169
  • Series
  • 1860-1865

This series contains letters inward and outward of J.D. Pemberton and B.W. Pearse, Colonial Surveyors. It also includes copies of correspondence with Edward Stamp and Gilbert Malcolm Sproat pertaining to purchases of lands and various agreements on lands at Alberni and Barclay Sound in regard to the establishment and operation of a sawmill and a copper mining company. Includes a map of company land holdings in the Alberni valley.

Vancouver Island (Colony). Office of the Surveyor General

Comox Land District land register

  • GR-2627
  • Series
  • 1862-1933

This series consists of a Comox Land District land register for Sections 1-113 and lots 1251 on Vancouver Island. Earliest entries are from 1862 and the volume was superseded in 1933 (i.e. no further entries were made after 1933). The land is listed numerically within the sections or lots and records the alienation of land from the Crown (by purchase, pre-emption, lease, etc.). Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and number of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. The volume contains an alphabetical name index.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands

Maynard family collection

  • PR-1259
  • Collection
  • [ca. 1862]-1937

Collection consists of records created by members of the Maynard family, primarily Hannah Hatherly Maynard and Richard Maynard. Hannah, Richard, and their son, Albert Hatherly Maynard, were professional photographers based in Victoria. Records include photograph albums, a portion of the photographic portfolio of Hannah and Richard Maynard, a studio register with over 5,000 customer entries for portrait orders fulfilled by Mrs. R. Maynard's Photographic Gallery, and a small number of textual business records. Within this collection, the works of other photographers and photographic studios may be found. Images depict studio portraits, family gatherings, field photographs for Department of Indian Affairs tours of inspection of Indigenous communities, construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (C.P.R.), documentary photographs of the natural history collection of the Provincial Museum (now Royal BC Museum), and Hannah's experimental artistic works such as tableau vivants, photocollages, composites, montages, photo-sculptures, and double- and multiple-exposure studio portraits.

Records within this collection have been arranged into series that roughly correspond to Maynard Collection numbers that were assigned according to themes by either one of the Maynard family members or early BC Archives staff.

Maynard (family)

Requisition book

  • GR-0427
  • Series
  • 1863-1864

This series consists of a requisition book from the Colony of Vancouver Island Police and Prisons Department.

Vancouver Island (Colony). Police and Prisons Dept.

Colony of Vancouver Island Supreme Court of Civil Justice bench book

  • GR-2031
  • Series
  • 1863-1865

Series consists of one bench book for Colony of Vancouver Island Supreme Court of Civil Justice chancery cases heard by Chief Justice David Cameron between January 1863 and August 1865.

Vancouver Island. Supreme Court of Civil Justice

Certificates of improvement

  • GR-0765
  • Series
  • 1863-1878

This series consists of certificates of improvement nos. 1-276, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Missing certificates are listed.

Certificates from before 1868 are created by the Colony of Vancouver Island Office of the Surveyor General.
Certificate from 1869-1871 are created by the Colony of British Columbia Department of Lands and Works. Certificates created after 1871 are created by the Province of British Columbia Department of Lands and Works.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Works

Letterbook

  • GR-1308
  • Series
  • 1863-1864

This series contains letterbook copies of despatches from Governor Douglas to the Senior Naval Officer of Esquimalt during the period 6 July 1863 to 15 February 1864. Most of the correspondence herewith concerns measures taken against possible attacks from indigenous populations on Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island (Colony). Governor (1851-1864 : Douglas)

Mining Records Register Book

  • GR-1121
  • Series
  • 1864-1911

This series contains a Mining Records Register Book. This volume is a register of various land grants, mineral claims, mining records, and water rights. Included are a record book of all claims and water privileges recorded in the Leech and Sooke River districts commenced December 1864 (1864-1878), and a register of all mining records and mineral claims recorded at Victoria, B.C., by the Chief Gold Commissioner, 1873-1911. Areas covered include the Queen Charlotte Islands, Cassiar district, and portions of Vancouver Island and the adjacent coast of British Columbia. Also included in this volume are the following items relating to the Royal Engineers in British Columbia: (1) List of men of Royal Engineers who purchased their discharge in British Columbia or Vancouver Island on the return of the North American Boundary Commission to England, 26 Sept. 1863. (2) Schedule of Crown Grants issued to Royal Engineers who served in the Colony of British Columbia under Colonel Moody.

British Columbia. Gold Commissioner

Douglas Land District land register

  • GR-2632
  • Series
  • 1864-1865

This series consists of a Douglas Land District land register from Range 1, Section 1 to Range 8, Section 20 on Vancouver Island. Entries date from 1864-1865. The registers record the land in numerical order and records the alienation of land from the Crown (by purchase, preemption, lease, etc.). Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. The volume contains an alphabetical name index.

British Columbia (Colony). Lands and Works Dept.

North Pacific Coal Company fonds

  • PR-0345
  • Fonds
  • 1864-1866

The fonds consists of a minute and transfer book of the North Pacific Coal Company.

North Pacific Coal Company

Board of Education minutes and other records

  • GR-1467
  • Series
  • 1865-1869

This series contains records of the Vancouver Island Board of Education and its successor, the British Columbia Board of Education. Records include minutes of Board meetings, letterbook of correspondence outward, account book of text books and other school supplies, and a notebook regarding Vancouver Island schools and visits to them by Superintendent of Education. The letterbook of correspondence and notebook of school visits in handwritten by Alfred Waddington.

Vancouver Island (Colony). Board of Education

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