Introduction - Indigenous & Métis

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are collectively referred to as Indigenous People. This guide outlines the Indigenous family history research resources available through our Family History Department. It will also provide information and links to external online resources that may further assist you in your research. 

This guide will focus on researching Indigenous People in BC, but will include resources for accessing information in other provinces as well. 

Our Family History Department has trained staff that are willing to assist you in your research. Contact familyhistory@surrey.ca or 604.598.7328.

To know before you begin

1. Bias and colonial records language in historical records
   When researching historical records, you will need to look for and use the historic terms “Indian’ ‘native’, ‘half-breed’; we would not use these terms today, but these were commonly used in records and documents.
2. Name variations and changes
   There was no standardized spelling. Sometimes only one name was used as a first name or surname. When only a first name was used, children of that parent were often assigned the parent’s first name as their surname. E.g. Father = “Joseph”; children become Mary Joseph, John Joseph, etc.
3. Restricted access to some records
   Records containing personal information may be subject to access restrictions due to privacy legislation or restrictions placed on them by the owners of the records.

First Steps

1. Work backwards, starting with yourself. Record what you already know: Names, dates, places (even your best guess) regarding your own generation and your parents and grandparents.
2. Ask relatives and/or friends of the family for information. Record the name of the person who provided the information, the date, and location.
3. Try to focus on searching for just one ancestor, or family name, at a time.
4. Keep track of what you find including the sources of the information used to find it. Forms are available to assist with this.