The Royal British Columbia Museum

The Royal British Columbia Museum is located in downtown Victoria, close to the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel.

From June 1 to September 3, 2012, the museum will feature an exhibit called "Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee".

The website says, "This special exhibition of nearly 100 portraits by royal photographer, Cecil Beaton (1904-80) depicts Elizabeth in her roles as princess, monarch and mother, and will include a number of rarely-seen photographs alongside extracts from Beaton’s personal diaries and letters"

You can see what is upcoming in the exhibit at www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Exhibit_Gall/Upcoming.aspx

You can also link over to the BC Archives at www.bcarchives.bc.ca/BC_Our_Collections/BC_Vital_Rrd_Collect.aspx and stop at the World War Two Overseas Casualties (1940-1945); Colonial Marriages (1859 to 1872); and Baptisms (1836-1888).

Postscript #1 – BIFHSGO held its monthly meeting on November 12, with a large capacity crowd of 195 members present to hear Glenn Wright give a brief overview of history and genealogical books available online that one can search.

Brooke Broadbent talked about "Moonrakers at Peace and War" which covered the lives of four families that emigrated from the U.K., and settled in the Peterborough, Ontario, area, and who had sent soldiers to serve in both the First and Second World Wars. It was a very interesting talk from a former history teacher, and was punctuated at the end with a graphic (and because of Remembrance Day, timely) video showing poignant archived footage from the Battle of the Somme, where one of his relatives lost his life in service.

Afterwards, Glenn announced surprising news that BIFHSGO has been given a year's reprieve by Public Works (PWGSC), allowing BIFHSGO to use their facilities at the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) until the end of 2012! Monthly meetings will continue to take place at the LAC as will the Conference in September.

The news was met with clapping and cheers from the membership, for it has been a hard-fought battle by Glenn, his executive, and BIFHSGO members.

The next conference will focus on Scotland. If you want to be considered as a presenter, you may submit a brief outline of your proposed talk(s) to conference@bifhsgo.ca no later than 31 January, 2012.