The VGS Resource Centre, previously named called the Library, is staffed by helpful and welcoming volunteers (including Keith and Diana shown here).
Not only is it a place to do your genealogy research using our extensive genealogy collections, but you can also attend helpful Saturday morning workshops, attend special interest group (SIG) gatherings, connect with other genealogy enthusiasts and make new friends over a cup of coffee or tea.
Although it is primarily for the use of VGS members, visitors are always welcome. If you are a visitor or new member, information about the Society and a brief tour of the Library will be provided. Visitors wishing to research in our Library, will be charged $5 per 4-hour session.
The VGS Resource Centre has now been designated a scent-free area for the comfort and health of all our patrons. Your cooperation in respecting this regulation is appreciated.
Victoria Genealogical Society's Resource Centre -
our well-stocked shelves invite you to come and explore!
VGS Resource Centre - Hours of Operation
The Victoria Genealogical Society Resource Centre is open year round - see table
below.
Our regular opening hours (Sept - June) are:
Monday - Friday 12 noon to 3:00 pm,
and Saturday 12 noon to 4:00 pm.
Different summer hours apply for July & August (see below).
Please phone our Resource Centre for holiday hours: 250 - 360 - 2808
SPECIAL HOLDIAY HOURS
VICTORIA DAY - Monday, May 20, 2013 : CLOSED
See below for the regular schedule.
| Regular (Sept - June) | Summer (July & Aug) | |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | noon - 3:00 pm | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm |
| Tues | noon - 3:00 pm |
11:00 am - 2:00 pm |
| Wed | noon - 3:00 pm | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm |
| Thurs | noon - 3:00 pm | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm |
| Fri | noon - 3:00 pm | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm |
| Sat | noon - 4:00 pm | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm |
| Sun | (closed) | (closed) |
| Holidays | (closed) | (closed) |
Resource Centre Location
The Victoria Genealogical Society's Resource Centre is located at
947 Alston
Street in beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada.
The VGS Library Collection
SEARCH our VGS Library Collection Catalogue
( Please contact us if you have trouble accessing this catalogue search screen.)
The VGS Library Collection includes books, maps, periodicals, working papers and CDs of genealogical interest for Canada, UK, Eire, US and other countries. Microfiche/film readers and computers with internet access are also available.
Family Histories - Currently contains over 145 unique books for 343 families.
BC Vital Event Records for Births, Marriages and Deaths.
From this microfilm collection we are
able to offer a lookup service and provide copies. Please visit the Queries page for further details.
Indexes:
- BC Supreme Court Victoria: Indexes to Estates Probated in Victoria, and to All Wills Probated in the Province - 1861-1981.
- BC Attorney General - Registers and Indexes to Coroner's Inquiries/Inquests - 1874-1937 - 2 reels.
- BC County Court (Victoria) - Naturalization Records - 1859 - 1963.
For additional online indexes, please visit our resources page.
Research Assistance: Welcome to 1-ON-1
Are you:
- Just starting on your family’s history and don’t know where to begin?
- The family custodian of a box of old documents, photos and other memorabilia and uncertain where to start?
1-ON-1 is a service for the person who has decided to start family history research. It is designed to help understand & organize information, to explain different sources and to develop a family tree.
1-ON-1 will give you one uninterrupted hour with Diana Gaiger at the VGS Resource Centre. Diana will guide you on your personal family tree quest and answer your specific questions. Rates: $10.00 per hour for VGS members, $15.00 per hour for non-members. Please contact Diana at diana_g@shaw.ca for information or to make an appointment.
Examples of some subjects covered:
- Why do you want to do your family tree? What do you expect the finished results to be?
- Do you want to do just your direct line or all family members that you can find?
- Are you going to use a computer program or just a paper copy? Or both?
- What forms can be used for recording your information? How should these be filed and arranged?
- What is the difference between registrations & certificates? What information can be found on these documents? Do you need both?
- Is all genealogical information now found online? How & when should online sources be used? How to bookmark websites?
- Are family trees that have been done by other people good or bad?
- How should sources be noted? Why is it important to do so?
- What should be done with family stories? Can these stories be trusted?
- How should a research plan be devised?
Cerlox Binding Service
Have you ever wondered how to bind and publish those memoirs or family history stories that you have in your files? We can help! Take advantage of our Cerlox binding service at the VGS Resource Centre - just $5.00 each. Booklets make excellent gifts and help you share your family research with family members.
For additional sources of genealogical information relating to
the Greater Victoria area, British Columbia (BC), Canada and the world,
be sure to check out our resources page and our
links page.
The Resource Centre is also used for
Workshops
and for Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings.
