Home BasicsTechniques and tools History &
PioneersChinese-Canadian heritage		 Chinese
NamesTraditions and characteristics of Chinese names		 Family
SourcesInterviews and heirlooms		 Documents
& RecordsArchival and published information about your family		 Back to
ChinaYour ancestral home
 

Documents and Records

Pioneer Medallion Application Forms 1970

Basics

As part of the celebrations of the centennial of B.C.'s entry into Confederation in 1871, commemorative medallions were awarded to residents of B.C. who were born in Canada or resident in Canada before January 1, 1897. A similar program was offered in 1967 in connection with Canada's Centennial - see Pioneer Medallion Application Forms 1966-1967.

Eligible B.C. residents could apply by completing and submitting a Pioneer Medallion Application Form. The following information was collected on the forms:

  1. Name in full
  2. Date of birth
  3. Place of birth
  4. If married - Maiden name
  5. Husband's given names
  6. Wife's full maiden name
  7. Occupation before retirement
  8. If born in Canada but outside British Columbia:
    a. When did you first come to British Columbia
    b. Where did you first live in British Columbia
    c. Where did you live immediately before coming to British Columbia
  9. If born outside Canada:
    a. Where did you live immediately before coming to Canada
    b. When did you first come to Canada
    c. When did you first come to British Columbia
  10. Names of parents in full, including maiden name of mother:
    a. Father
    b. Mother
  11. Given names of brothers or sisters
  12. Any remarks you may care to make about your family background or experiences
  13. Address, signature and date

Finding the Records

Although increasing numbers of Chinese were settling in Canada prior to 1897, few Pioneer Medallion Application Forms corresponding to individuals of Chinese origin have been identified in this collection of records. However, there is no index and the records have not been comprehensively surveyed.

The records are owned by the B.C. Archives and have not been microfilmed. Forms were completed in duplicate, and filed in two separate sequences: by name of community and name of pioneer. To see the files, you will have to visit the B.C. Archives and request boxes and files from GR-1489. A list of boxes and files is found in the archival description of GR-1490, which includes a Detailed Finding Aid. If you are unable to visit in person, contact the B.C. Archives for more information about obtaining copies of Pioneer Medallion Application Forms.

Photo banner: Detail from VPL Historical Photograph 78362