Nanaimo Family History Society

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 October 16, 2023

Dalys Barney of Nanaimo, BC, Telling My Norwegian Story, will appear in person and will have a booklet to sell, Message on a Bottle: Nanaimo’s Soda History

Dalys Barney is the great granddaughter of Ole and Konstanse (Fyhn) Olsen who came to Canada separately from Norway prior to meeting and marrying in Bella Coola in 1914. Dalys’ talk will cover the story of their individual emigrations from Norway; the life they built together in Hagensborg in the Bella Coola Valley; and their eventual move to Vancouver Island in 1935.

Drawing on her experience working as a library technician at Vancouver Island University, Dalys will also give a brief overview of some of the resources available at VIU that might be of interest to the NFHS.

In addition to her interest in family history, Dalys is also passionate about local history. In 2023, she self-published a booklet, Message on a Bottle: Nanaimo’s Soda History, which is a look at the city’s soda industry, focusing on single-serving glass soda bottles and local manufacturers. She’s a member of the Nanaimo Historical Society, blogs at vanislehistoryexplorer.ca, and can be reached at vihistoryexplorer@gmail.com

(Hybrid Meeting for members to appear in person at Beban Park or by Zoom)

NFHS 2023 Quilt Fund Raiser

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight (54 – 40 Or Fight)

This quilt pattern was chosen as our raffle quilt because of its historical reference to a 19th century territorial dispute between Britain and the United States. Part of the land in question would eventually become British Columbia.

Look for more on this in our Fall edition of AncesTree.

The NFHS Executive would like to thank Ruth Stewart for creating and donating this beautiful quilt.

Tickets are 3 for $5.00 and only 600 are available. Tickets can be purchased from an executive member or by emailing infonfhs@gmail.com . Tickets are also available to be purchased by e-transfer. Tickets stubs will not be mailed out but will be sent by email.

MEET MY ANCESTOR 2023 CONTEST ENTER HERE

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