Welcome to the website of the Nanaimo Family History Society. Our society was formed in 1981 and is one of the oldest family history societies in British Columbia.

Our society strives to create a friendly atmosphere where people interested in genealogical research and family history, not only in Nanaimo, but also across Canada and around the world can come together. We promote, foster and encourage members to learn the principles, methods and effective techniques of genealogical research. We also collect, preserve, display and share information that may lead to a greater understanding of genealogy.

Our meetings are held on the third Monday of each month (except July and August) at 7:00 p.m. in the Beban Park Social Centre, Rooms 7 and 8, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, BC.

We hope you enjoy your visit to our site.

Next meeting is April 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., 

Marianne Rasmus of Ottawa, Ontario – A RUSSIAN REVELATION:  A FAMILY SHAPED BY SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL EVENTS.

We have all hit our fair share of brick walls while doing family history research, but how about an ‘Iron Curtain’?  When Marianne Rasmus began exploring her family history, little was known about her maternal grandmother’s ancestry. Her grandmother had died before Marianne knew to ask her about her childhood, her emigration from Communist Russia in 1926, or how she adjusted to life in Canada. Starting with a handful of names, Marianne will reveal the process and sources used to discover a deep maternal heritage about which she knew little, and the circumstances which made it challenging to learn.

Marianne Rasmus will share how historical events in both Canada and Europe affected her grandmother in a life-altering fashion, and how perseverance and a little DNA shed light on long-unanswered questions.

This meeting is a Hybrid meeting

 

 

Nanaimo Obituaries

Index of obituaries from Nanaimo newspapers from late 1998 to December, 2004

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Passenger Lists

Index of passenger arrivals at Quebec Ports from July 3, 1903 to October 13, 1910

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