Research Resources
Searching for Stories
Additions and revisions to the biographical profiles in this wiki are welcome. This section provides guidance on how to find additional biographical information on individuals recorded in the Chinese Immigration List.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Little is known of the individuals listed in the Chinese Immigration List at the core of thisproject. In many cases, the only known facts are their names and the dates and places of their births. As members of a marginalized community whose social and economic opportunities were constrained by the prevailing social and institutional racism of their time, their stories have not been told.
Through research, it may be possible discover more about these individuals. Information gleaned from a variety of sources -- interviews with descendants, birth, marriage and death records, census extracts, obituaries, directories, and more -- can help build portraits of their lives. You can contribute to this endeavour by undertaking research related to individuals profiled in this wiki. You may choose to focus on one or more individuals listed in the wiki, or search for a group of individuals in a selected resource, such as 1901 census records. Whatever approach you take, many resources are available to support your research, including the Vancouver Public Library's own Chinese-Canadian Genealogy website. In some cases, information is available in free online databases. In others, the search for stories may require the use of microfilms and documents available only in archives.
Refer to the quick guide below, and/or use the following printable resources to get started and keep track of your research:
People
| Summary |
Descendants and others who remember individuals listed in the Chinese Immigration List -- or who perhaps just recall hearing about them from others -- are one of the best sources of information about early members of the Chinese-Canadian community. Impressions and anecdotes can create a vivid portrait of a person's life. |
Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL)
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Interview Questions |
Heirlooms and Family Treasures
| Summary |
Many families have documents and other items collected over the years that provide a record of the history of their family -- items such as diaries, newspaper clippings, wedding invitations, photograph albums, school report cards and more. These records can be a rich source of information about ancestors' lives. Because they are private sources, please consider the policies governing this wiki when using them to develop a wiki profile.
In a few cases, collections of family papers are held in museums, archives and other repositories.
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Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL)
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Heirlooms and Family Treasures
Museums and Archives
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Immigration Records
C.I. 9 Certificate
| Summary |
The C.I.9 certificate was issued to individuals of Chinese origin leaving Canada temporarily. It was surrended on their return. Certificates are available on microfilm. |
Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL)
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C.I. 9 Certificate |
Central District Register of Chinese Out-Registration
| Summary |
This register lists individuals of Chinese origin resident in southern Ontario who were planning to travel in and out of Canada, including through other ports, such as Vancouver and Victoria. The register is available on microfilm. |
Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL)
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Central District Register of Chinese Out-Registratio |
Lists of Persons Readmitted to Canada at Victoria under C.I.9/ 9A Certificates and Other Readmissions and Cancellations
List of Persons to Whom C.I.9 Certificates Have Been Issued in Vancouver and Victoria
Newfoundland Register of Arrivals and Outward Registrations
Civil Registration - British Columbia
Census Records
1881 Census of Canada
| Summary |
Personal returns from the 1881 federal census of Canada. Records contain information about all the members of a household. The original returns are available on microfilm. Full and partial transcriptions and indexes are available online. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
1881 Census of Canada |
| Search Now! |
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1891 Census of Canada
| Summary |
Personal returns from the 1891 federal census of Canada. Records contain information about all the members of a household. The original returns are available on microfilm. Partial transcriptions and indexes are available online. In some cases, printed transcriptions and indexes are available. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
1891 Census of Canada |
| Search Now! |
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1901 Census of Canada
| Summary |
Personal returns from the 1901 federal census of Canada. Records contain information about all the members of a household. The original returns are available electronically or on microfilm. Full and partial transcriptions and indexes are available online. In some cases, printed transcriptions and indexes are available. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
1901 Census of Canada |
| Search Now! |
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1906 Census of the Northwest Provinces
| Summary |
The census of 1906 covered only the new provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, which had joined Confederation in 1906, and Manitoba. The personal returns from the 1901census of the Northwesat provinces contain information about all the members of a household. The original returns are available electronically or on microfilm. Full and partial transcriptions and indexes are available online. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
1906 Census of the Northwest Provinces
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| Search Now! |
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1911 Census of Canada
| Summary |
Personal returns from the 1911 federal census of Canada. Records contain information about all the members of a household. The original returns are available electronically or on microfilm. Full transcriptions and indexes are available online. |
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| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
1911 Census of Canada |
| Search Now! |
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National Registration File of 1940
| Summary |
Information collected by the federal government in 1940 in order to mobilize human and material resources for the purpose of Canada's defence and security. Available by application to Statistics Canada. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
National Registration File of 1940 |
Church Records
| Summary |
Records of baptism, marriage and burial from various Christian denominations. Location, format and availability vary. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
Church Records |
Directories
| Summary |
City and provincial directories, as well as directories published by the Chinese community. Location, format and availability vary. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
Directories |
Land Records - British Columbia
| Summary |
Records of grants of Crown land in British Columbia and of private land transactions between individuals. In B.C., the provincial archives are the major repository but some information is available online. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
Land Records - British Columbia |
| Search Now! |
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Military Records
| Summary |
Records associated with military service in World War I and II. Library and Archives Canada is the major repository but a large amount of information is available online. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
Military Records |
| Search Now! |
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Newspapers
| Summary |
Birth, marriage and death announcements as well as news articles. Location, format and availability vary. Some information is available online. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
Newspapers |
| Search Now! |
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Claims Arising Out of Riots in 1913 and 1914 on Vancouver Island
Coroner's Records - British Columbia
Wills and Probate
Wills - British Columbia
| Summary |
Legally enforceable declarations by means of which individuals directthe disposal of property after their death. Indexes and wills are available on microfilm. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
Wills - British Columbia |
Probate Case Files - British Columbia
| Summary |
Probate case files document the legal process of settling the estate of a deceased person. Probate occurs with or without a will. Some probate case file numbers are available on microfilm or online. Others are available only at the B.C. Archives. Probate case files are held by the B.C. Archives. |
| Information from Chinese-Canadian Genealogy (VPL) |
Probate Case Files - British Columbia |
| Search Now! |
B.C. Archives - Textual Records
(use probate AND the name of the individual as search terms, e.g. probate AND fong) |
Cemetery Records and Monumental Inscriptions - British Columbia
