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British Columbia (BC) began formal birth registration in 1872, though earlier records were kept by churches, particularly Catholic and Anglican parishes. As a province with a rich Indigenous history, BC’s genealogical records also include Métis and First Nations birth documentation.
The province experienced significant immigration during the Gold Rush of the 1850s and later waves of European and Asian settlers, particularly from China, Japan, and India. These diverse communities have influenced BC’s historical records.
The British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency manages modern birth records, while older records are preserved in provincial archives, aiding genealogical research for many family historians.
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