Genealogy Book Basics
Below is a list of titles to help you begin your genealogy research. Feel free to ask library staff for other suggestions.
Local History
The library has many local history books about our unique region including Kamloops, Savona, Chase, Clinton/South Cariboo, the North Thompson, Lytton. Merritt/Nicola Valley, Ashcroft, and more. Due to their condition and rarity some of these materials may be for in-library use only.
Research Books
We have lots of books to help you start researching your genealogy. Check out some of them below.
TNRL Digital Resources
Your library card gives you free access to a number of online resources that can help you with your family history research.
Ancestry LibraryAncestry Library is a genealogical resource that contains over 3,000 databases and billions of primary source documents. This genealogy treasure trove helps you find information to uncover your personal family history. Ancestry Library is only available for use at our TNRL branches.
Launch
British Columbia Historical NewspapersAnyone in British Columbia can access 125+ years of digital news archives remotely, anytime – no authentication required. This online access is made possible through a collaboration of academic, public, and school libraries across B.C. Newspapers include The Province, The Times Colonist, and the Vancouver Sun.
Launch
LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)Lynda.com is now LinkedIn Learning.
An online education tool offering over 5,000 video courses by experts in many different fields including design, business, photography and more.
Online Resources
Below is a collection of websites that may help with your genealogy search.
Vital Statisics
The B.C. Vital Statistics Agency collects registrations of life’s important moments: marriage, birth & death. This is an important historical resource for genealogists. The Kamloops Library has copies of these registrations in microfilm format.
- Birth registrations are available from 1854 – 1903 or 120 years after the date of birth.
- Marriage registrations are available from 1871 – 1945 or 75 years after the date of marriage.
- Death registrations are available from 1872 – 2000 or 20 years after the date of death.
- Colonial marriage index from 1859 – 1872.
- Baptisms from 1836 – 1888 (not available on film).
- Index data on the deaths of 3,423 British Columbians overseas during World War II.
A variety of legislation prevents the public release of the information earlier. If you need a registration for a more recent date, you can request a copy online at BC Vital Statistics.
Use the following links to access vital statistics from other provinces: