If you are searching for information on your ancestors in British Columbia you may find assistance with your search through the RootsWeb Network. A link to the Peace River BC GenWeb site is included on the sidebar. From the Peace River site you can quickly access other regions of BC and find assistance within your research area. The RootsWeb network is one of my all time favourites. The network is one familiar to experienced researchers and highly recommended to anyone new to genealogy research.
Online Genealogy Resources for BC
Nanimo Ships List
BC Vital Stats
BC Archival Information Network
Canadian Cemetery Project BC
BC Provincial GenWeb Site
Roots Web Family Tree Search
Cemetery Records & Obituary
The Obituary Daily Times
BC Cemetery Finding Aid
Canadian Cemetery Project BC
BC Random Acts Of Genealogy Kindness
Birth Marriage and Death Records
BMD Birth Death and Marriage Records for British Columbia. The British Columbia Vital Stats site provides online searchable resources and digital images of the physical documents with online payment for services. On the Site you will also find information regarding where and how to access the microfilms through local libraries, and Historical Societies . The site also provides a listings for organizations and researchers who may assist you in accessing hard copies for a much smaller fee then the $25.00 per image charged by the BC Archives for online delivery of the digital image. If your considering using the services of a researcher or historical society to secure copies of documents, collect the source and reference information for your request to save having to pay additional search fees. ( you will find a list of BC research assistance resources on the Peace River GenWeb site )
BC Vital Stats Files online search:
Search Births Registration Index: 1872 to 1903, events up to 1903.
Search Marriage Registration Index: 1872 to 1932
Search Death Registration Index: 1872 to 1987
Search Colonial Marriage Index: 1859 to 1872.
Search Baptisms Index: events over 120 years old.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Protecting Your Data
For the first couple of year that I was researching my family lines I had stacks of papers, piles of printouts and sticky notes everywhere. New to the process I thought that entering the data onto my computer was all that was needed. I did not recognized the need for a growing pile of documents and papers nor did I recognize the importance of maintaining hard copies of my source information.
It took about three years before the research of my lines went full circle and I found myself digging through those piles of paper and believe me the stacks of paper were easier to review then the thick piles of sticky notes that I had collected. That piece of information I knew I had - where did it go ? I learned from the process and started entering the information into the notes section of my genealogy program. When this task was complete I took additional days out of my otherwise busy schedule and got down to the task of scanning documents, and organizing the files for storage on my computer. Finally I though I was fully organized. Over the next few years many applauded me for my attention to detail and fellow genealogists called on me to resolve or interpret data discrepancies and conflicts. I had possession of this huge wealth of information and I did not know that I was running a great risk. What could possible go wrong?
I took good care of my computer what with being a computer Teck building computers and being the computer resource person for our entire neighbourhood not to mention my family too. I kept my machine equipped with new Maxtor hard drives and defragged them regularly. I even installed the best antivirus software available, AVG AntiVirus by GRISOFT now know as AVG Technologies at a fraction of the cost of Norton AntiVirus software.
Then it happened !! My new hard drive which was less then a year old failed. It was replaced by Maxtor, very quickly I must say. I had backups of course so only lost a minor amount of data though it took some time and effort to rebuild my system to a working state. But who would have thought the the new drive once installed would only lasted 4 months before it died. Not only was this a nightmare it was also the most important lesson of my life. Lightening can strike twice.
I hope that some may learn from my experience as I certainly did. From the double crisis I learned the importance of maintaining both computer and hard copy files. Once my computer was restored I bought large volumes of printer ink, paper, binders, and plastic protective sleeves. I printed off every piece of information and filed it in binders for safe keeping. I have leaned to take time out from surfing the Internet for data and resources spending an occasional day printing and storing my collection. My collection is complete and well organized with the two storage systems complementing each other. I no longer worry about data loss and have directed my focus to sharing the information I have collected.
It took about three years before the research of my lines went full circle and I found myself digging through those piles of paper and believe me the stacks of paper were easier to review then the thick piles of sticky notes that I had collected. That piece of information I knew I had - where did it go ? I learned from the process and started entering the information into the notes section of my genealogy program. When this task was complete I took additional days out of my otherwise busy schedule and got down to the task of scanning documents, and organizing the files for storage on my computer. Finally I though I was fully organized. Over the next few years many applauded me for my attention to detail and fellow genealogists called on me to resolve or interpret data discrepancies and conflicts. I had possession of this huge wealth of information and I did not know that I was running a great risk. What could possible go wrong?
I took good care of my computer what with being a computer Teck building computers and being the computer resource person for our entire neighbourhood not to mention my family too. I kept my machine equipped with new Maxtor hard drives and defragged them regularly. I even installed the best antivirus software available, AVG AntiVirus by GRISOFT now know as AVG Technologies at a fraction of the cost of Norton AntiVirus software.
Then it happened !! My new hard drive which was less then a year old failed. It was replaced by Maxtor, very quickly I must say. I had backups of course so only lost a minor amount of data though it took some time and effort to rebuild my system to a working state. But who would have thought the the new drive once installed would only lasted 4 months before it died. Not only was this a nightmare it was also the most important lesson of my life. Lightening can strike twice.
I hope that some may learn from my experience as I certainly did. From the double crisis I learned the importance of maintaining both computer and hard copy files. Once my computer was restored I bought large volumes of printer ink, paper, binders, and plastic protective sleeves. I printed off every piece of information and filed it in binders for safe keeping. I have leaned to take time out from surfing the Internet for data and resources spending an occasional day printing and storing my collection. My collection is complete and well organized with the two storage systems complementing each other. I no longer worry about data loss and have directed my focus to sharing the information I have collected.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Free Family Tree Software
If you are new to researching your family tree and need a Family Tree Program there are many available to choose from. If you are looking to purchase the software please check out the following collection of the best Genealogy Software available on the internet.
if you are looking for Free Software ?? The best availabe is offered by the LDS site. Their Free Program provides a solid now frills program for storing your data. The files produced can be easily imported in a Paid for Software at a later date should you wish to purchase one later. For anyone new to genealogy research the program provides a straight forward easy to use interface. The program can be downloaded without out charge by clicking on the "Order/Downloads Tab" on their main site. Your need to register on their site to download the EXE file. CLICK HERE
if you are looking for Free Software ?? The best availabe is offered by the LDS site. Their Free Program provides a solid now frills program for storing your data. The files produced can be easily imported in a Paid for Software at a later date should you wish to purchase one later. For anyone new to genealogy research the program provides a straight forward easy to use interface. The program can be downloaded without out charge by clicking on the "Order/Downloads Tab" on their main site. Your need to register on their site to download the EXE file. CLICK HERE
Educate Yourself
One of the most important things to remember when searching for your family lines is that it is a Process of Self Growth. Researching the branches of our personal family tree take us on a journey to other times and places. Even if we start out with NO passion for history the journey through time will eventualy lead to having at least a basic knowledge of historical facts as they pertain to our family history.
I for one never thought that I would delve into the realm of history. In high school I found it horribly boring and often skipped history class all together. But look at me now. I think it was the dictate of the course outline or perhaps I just had no interest at all. When starting out on researching my family lines it was not long till I had questions which I NEEDED ANSWERS TO. I started asking my father for more information and found that little was known. It was not until I started reaching further and found it necessary to actually read a history book. Surprise, Surprise ! Finding ones family roots in written works, stimulates the reader. I bacame an glutton for reading old books and those of published genealogists, finding many available online in digital archives. History somehow became a large part of my life and I no longer find myself embarassed by my lack of knowledge. It was not long till I found I could hold my own in open discussion and felt proud of my growth.
I for one never thought that I would delve into the realm of history. In high school I found it horribly boring and often skipped history class all together. But look at me now. I think it was the dictate of the course outline or perhaps I just had no interest at all. When starting out on researching my family lines it was not long till I had questions which I NEEDED ANSWERS TO. I started asking my father for more information and found that little was known. It was not until I started reaching further and found it necessary to actually read a history book. Surprise, Surprise ! Finding ones family roots in written works, stimulates the reader. I bacame an glutton for reading old books and those of published genealogists, finding many available online in digital archives. History somehow became a large part of my life and I no longer find myself embarassed by my lack of knowledge. It was not long till I found I could hold my own in open discussion and felt proud of my growth.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
ASP Genealogy Database Site
Like others who have searched for and ASP Database for Genealogy I came empty handed. I tried the PHPGedView which is a lovely script with a fantastic presentation of my Genealogy information. It includes a wonderful members log in script and allows the administrator the option to assign editing authority to select members. The script also provides for the presentation of individual notes and media files.
The script is huge and requires at least a working knowledge of PHP scripting to set it up and administer the site. It is definitely not a program for newbies or those who want a simple script to display their web pages. Hence the reliance of genealogists on the automated page creation provided by genealogy software such as Family Tree Maker.
There were several reasons why I removed the script from my site after using it for almost a year. Firstly, I was never able to integrate the mail services for use with my hosting server. This resulted in my inability to communicate with any new members. All services associated with the the mail script were inoperable resulting in the loss of automated membership applications and access. This drove me nuts as what is the use of having a great genealogy site offering membership if one is not able to offer membership.
The second concern which led to my removing the script was my inability to control or block access to visitor who wanted to strip my site of the photos and other data. I know that genealogy research published on the Internet has been traditionally open for free access by others researching the same lines. I know for certain I would never have made the progress which I have without the assistance of many researchers you have share openly often over long periods of time. By majority it is a sharing experience with others giving credit and recognition for research that has been shared. Unfortunately not everyone chooses to maintain socially acceptable standards resulting in "Moral Theft" of others research efforts.
The third and most costly problem with the script was the wonderful traffic it brought to my site as it was well linked to automated submission search engines. Unfortunately the page loading and image file downloads drove the cost of my providing free genealogy information over the roof. My collection of data and the associated documents and photo collections which I want to make available for use by others nearly put me in the poor house.
Three years Later I have the solution !!
I have neared completion of my ASP Genealogy script which will use an Microsoft Access database to present my collection of data. I have built in components for Photo and Documents presentation but have kept the initial provision of information simple. I hope to have my genealogy files available in the near future and will be integrating a membership system for control over member access and allow the site admin control over the number of downloads for each member.
The script is huge and requires at least a working knowledge of PHP scripting to set it up and administer the site. It is definitely not a program for newbies or those who want a simple script to display their web pages. Hence the reliance of genealogists on the automated page creation provided by genealogy software such as Family Tree Maker.
There were several reasons why I removed the script from my site after using it for almost a year. Firstly, I was never able to integrate the mail services for use with my hosting server. This resulted in my inability to communicate with any new members. All services associated with the the mail script were inoperable resulting in the loss of automated membership applications and access. This drove me nuts as what is the use of having a great genealogy site offering membership if one is not able to offer membership.
The second concern which led to my removing the script was my inability to control or block access to visitor who wanted to strip my site of the photos and other data. I know that genealogy research published on the Internet has been traditionally open for free access by others researching the same lines. I know for certain I would never have made the progress which I have without the assistance of many researchers you have share openly often over long periods of time. By majority it is a sharing experience with others giving credit and recognition for research that has been shared. Unfortunately not everyone chooses to maintain socially acceptable standards resulting in "Moral Theft" of others research efforts.
The third and most costly problem with the script was the wonderful traffic it brought to my site as it was well linked to automated submission search engines. Unfortunately the page loading and image file downloads drove the cost of my providing free genealogy information over the roof. My collection of data and the associated documents and photo collections which I want to make available for use by others nearly put me in the poor house.
Three years Later I have the solution !!
I have neared completion of my ASP Genealogy script which will use an Microsoft Access database to present my collection of data. I have built in components for Photo and Documents presentation but have kept the initial provision of information simple. I hope to have my genealogy files available in the near future and will be integrating a membership system for control over member access and allow the site admin control over the number of downloads for each member.
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