Comments on: Who lived in your house — in 10 (mostly easy) steps

By: Barbara (Kelman) Sandover

Barbara (Kelman) Sandover — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 05:05:29 +0000

I would like to find how old our Family home at 6251 Commercial Street in Vancouver BC. When was the water connected. First owner, any previous owners names etc.
My parents Alan David & Harriett Mary Louise Kelman purchased this home in 1940 & sold it in 1992.

By: Briean

Briean — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 23:11:30 +0000

How do I find out information post-1955 (when the city directories stop?) 🙂

By: Heritage Vancouver Society

Heritage Vancouver Society — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:03:05 +0000

In reply to Heritage Vancouver Society.

Oops, the correct URL should be: http://permits.heritagevancouver.org

By: Heritage Vancouver Society

Heritage Vancouver Society — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:39:00 +0000

…and the actual building permits are a key resource: http://permits.heritagevancouer.org

We’ve been actively transcribing the original handwritten registers from the CVA, and as of March 2014, have 30,000 pre-1922 building permits online in a searchable database (historical data, not necessarily contemporary data). More to come, based on volunteers transcribing 🙂

The database covers the three pre-1929 districts of the City of Vancouver, Municipality of South Vancouver, and the Municipality of Point Grey.

Also, digging into the water permits at the CVA, will give you additional clues to when the house was completed and/or details.

By: jmv

jmv — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 23:45:11 +0000

Great! Speaking of which, I see I need to correct my address! 725, not 729! Thnx!

By: jmv

jmv — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 23:03:50 +0000

Photo credit required! Seen above is the home of Mayor John Hendry at 729 Queen Ave in New Westminster, at the corner of Queen and Douglas Streets (between 7th & 8th Streets). Douglas Street no longer exists, and I believe it is now known as Ash Street. Then in 1899, Hendry is living at the corner of 8th Street and 3rd Ave. And according to James Johnstone, the house was demolished in 1912. As a footnote, you could also add the book “Street Names of Vancouver” to your list in order to sort out all those street name changes (also listed at the vpl with the BCCDs).

By: Loretta Houben

Loretta Houben — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 16:08:58 +0000

Hello Eve,
I saw this link on FB so followed it to here. I just love the BC directories! I discovered them a few years ago, but recently when indulging in the fascinating hobby of genealogy research I learned that there are shelves of actual directories at the central library branch in Vancouver. They are truly unique. I love the online ones too, and have found out where my paternal grandparents lived in 1942 after they moved to Vancouver from Saskatchewan. I also wrote an article for the Renfrew Collingwood Community newspaper for March 2014. My Dad gave me a 1930 BC directory a while back and that’s what started my love of such research. I enjoy your columns.