Genealogy and Family History   Tags: family history, genealogy, history  

Explore your roots at VPL and beyond:
resources and services for genealogists

Genealogical research is one of the most popular and fastest growing hobbies in North America. This guide will assist the first time and advanced family history researcher with the ever-growing amount of resources available in print and online.

International Day of Families

Posted May 15, 2013

In 1992, the General Assembly of the United Nations established May 15th as the International Day of Families.

"Families hold societies together, and intergenerational relationships extend this legacy over time. This year’s International Day of Families is an occasion to celebrate connections among all members of the constellation that makes up a family. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how they are affected by social and economic trends - and what we can do to strengthen families in response." - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message for 2013

Explore the history, business and exciting developments in family history research with this article and video:

• Who Am I? Data and DNA Answer One of Life's Big Questions: The Eternal Search for Our Ancestors is Reaching its End Game

Family Tree Magazine's Top 40 Genealogy Blogs

Posted May 2, 2013

Family Tree Magazine has posted a Top 40 Genealogy Blogs list to their website. If you're not familiar with blogs, check some of these out. Blogs can be a great way to stay up-to-date on a topic. For genealogists, they're a great way to discover helpful research and technology tips, find how-to information, discover products and resources, and more.

The Top 40 list is organized into six categories. You can find blogs that provide (1) Good Advice, offer good (2) Tech Support, will help you with (3) Gravestone Matters, provide (4) Heritage Help, give good (5) Shop Talk, and offer (6) Story Time. Maybe one or two of your favourite blogs is on the list, but hopefully you'll also discover one or two that will become a favourite daily read and will help you with your research.

To find other lists on the Family Tree Magazine website, use the search box in the top right of the screen and enter keywords like "best" or "top".

Updated 1881 Census Database

Posted April 30, 2013

Library and Archives Canada has released an updated 1881 Census of Canada. This new version includes suggestions for corrections that were received from users in recent months, as well as revised district and sub-district information.

This second general census covered the seven provinces and one territory that were then part of Confederation: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories.

DNA Day

Posted April 25, 2013

DNA Day commemorates the day in 1953 when James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin and colleagues published papers in the journal Nature on the structure of DNA. On April 25, 2003, the Human Genome Project announced it was very close to completing their scientific project to sequence, identify and map the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes of the human genome.

Interested to find out what your DNA can tell you about your ancestors? Curious to know how it can help with your genealogical research? Here are some resources to help get you started:

• 'DNA genealogy' (VPL catalogue search)
• International Society of Genetic Genealogy
• All About the Human Genome Project (National Human Genome Research Institute)
• Genealogical DNA test (Wikipedia)

Fore more Genealogy and Family History Buzz, please visit the Archives.

The Vancouver Public Library hosts free workshops on topics of genealogical interest. Programs are mainly held at the Central Library. Some require registration and others are drop-in. For more information on upcoming events at the library, please visit the online Events & Courses calendar or call 604.331.3716.

Upcoming Genealogy Events & Courses

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Here is a select list of genealogy-related titles recently added to the library collection. You can also view the full list via the library's catalogue.

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Stay up-to-date with new developments in the rapidly changing world of genealogy with the help of our semi-annual Genealogical Resources eNewsletter.

Questions? Please contact us!

Fine Arts and History
Level 6, Central Library
604.331.3716
finearts.history@vpl.ca