Documents & Records
Chinese Telephone Directories
Basics
The Chinese community has published directories for a number of years. These directories are in both English and Chinese. Titles have changed over the years.
Finding the Records
At the Vancouver Public Library
Vancouver Public Library has a collection of Chinese directories dating back to the late 1930s.
Titles include:
Chinese Business Telephone Directory, Greater Vancouver
Ref. CB380 C53ch
- Holdings:
- 1986-1987
- 1989-1995
- 1997
- 2002
- 2007
Chinese Business Telephone Directory (B.C.)
Ref. CB380 C53cha
- Holdings:
- 1993-1996
- 1999-2002
Chinese Directory & Telephone book
Ref. 971.199 C53c
- The title of this publication has varied over the years.
- Holdings:
- 1937
- 1945
- 1947-1948
- 1951-1953
- 1955
- 1958-1964
- 1966
- 1968
- 1970
- 1973-1983
- 1985
- 1987
- 1989-1996
- 1997
- 1999-2004
Chinese Yearbook & Directory
Ref. 971.199 C539
- Holdings: 1962/1963
Chinese Yellow Pages of Vancouver
Ref. 971.199 C5392
- 1992/93
At the University of British Columbia Library
The University of British Columbia Library has the following directories.
Chinese Directory, Saskatchewan
- Holdings: 1964
Chinese Directory of Victoria, B.C.
- Holdings:
- 1942
- 1947
Chinese Directory of Calgary-Lethbridge
- Holdings: 1973
Vancouver & B.C. Mainland Chinese Telephone Directory
- Holdings: 1955-1994 (some missing)
Vancouver Island Chinese Directory & Telephone Book
- Holdings:
- 1955-1958
- 1960-1964
- 1966-1971
At Library and Archives Canada
The Library and Archives of Canada (LAC) collections include Chinese directories. Directories are not available for inter-library loan, so if you are unable to visit the library in person, you may need to hire a researcher or contact the library.
A brief listing of LAC Chinese directory holdings is provided below. Please note that titles varied over the years. The most recent is listed. Notes have been added to indicate scope changes. The range of years doesn't mean that every year is represented or holdings are complete.
For more information on each title search the AMICUS database.
Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Surrounding Communities Chinese Telephone Directory
- Holdings: 1961-1992
Chinese Directory. Northern Ontario
- Holdings:
- 1964-1966
- 1970-1971
Chinese Directory & Telephone Book. Northeastern Ontario.
- Holdings: 1972, 1974
Chinese Directory & Telephone Book. Northern Ontario
- Holdings: 1971-1974
Chinese Directory & Telephone Book. Quebec
- Holdings: 1970-1975
Chinese Directory & Telephone Book. South Western Ontario.
- Holdings: 1964-1974
Chinese Directory for the Maritime Provinces
- Holdings: 1961-1975
Chinese Directory, Ottawa & Vicinity
- Holdings: 1965, 1971
Chinese Directory, South Eastern Ontario
- Holdings: 1970-1971
Edmonton and Surrounding Communities Chinese Telephone Directory
- Holdings: 1963-1993
Manitoba, Winnipeg and Vicinity Chinese Telephone Directories
- Holdings: 1965-1992
Metropolitan Toronto Chinese Directory
- Holdings: 1965-1975
NE, NW & SW Ontario Chinese Directory
- Holdings: 1968
Saskatchewan Chinese Telephone Directory
- Holdings: 1962-1992
Vancouver & B.C. Mainland Chinese Telephone Directory
- Holdings: 1960-1992 (some missing)
Vancouver Island Chinese Telephone Directory
- Holdings: 1963-1990
Photo banner: Detail from VPL Historical Photograph 78362
