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HomeResearch & LearnRecommended Resources by TopicLocal History

Local History

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Local History

Explore West Vancouver’s fascinating history. Find out more about your neighbourhood, your house and your family with these resources.

  •  Last updated: March 11, 2025

LIBRARY DATABASES

Access these resources using your WVML card.

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Canadian Newsstream

Read most major Canadian newspapers, including The Vancouver Sun, The Province and The Globe & Mail. You can also find local papers such as the North Shore News.

Access Information: Licensed for West Vancouver residents, students, and business owners only.

Digital.westvanlibrary.ca

The Library's special collection of historical photos and digital artifacts dating from 1900 to the late 1980s. Colour and black & white photographs, audio visual materials and History-onics, the newsletter of the West Vancouver Historical Society are included. An excellent resource.

Encyclopedia of British Columbia

Know BC is home to the Encyclopedia of British Columbia, an authoritative resource on BC past and present that features more than 4,000 articles and 1,500 accompanying photographs, maps, charts and tables, as well as sound and video clips.

Access Information: Licensed for West Vancouver residents, students, and business owners only.

North Shore Digital Libraries

A special collection of digitized newspapers from North Vancouver and West Vancouver, including the North Shore News from 1976-2000. Enter search terms or browse all newspapers to see what's available.

Presented in partnership by the North Shore News, North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library.

West Vancouver History Index

An index to newspaper articles, clippings, articles, books, with a focus on West Vancouver. To view full text, you must come to the Library.

ON THE SHELF

Check these out the next time you’re in the Library.

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History of West Vancouver: A Booklist

A list for those interested in local history who are looking for the best books about the history of the District of West Vancouver.

Names, Geographical — British Columbia — West Vancouver

Where did the name "Caulfeild" come from? Find this and other West Vancouver place names.

West Vancouver (B.C.) — History

Biographies of early residents and other stories from West Van's history.

on the web

These recommended websites are free and easily accessible! All you need is an internet connection.

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Museum of North Vancouver (MONOVA)

Explore North Vancouver's heritage through their historical thematic web tours, programs, exhibitions and digital online collections.

Musqueam Nation

West Vancouver is on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation).

The official site of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation), with information about governance, lands, current events, and their social sector.

North Shore Heritage Preservation Society

Provides information about preserving heritage buildings on the North Shore. Also includes a guide to doing house history research and links to other heritage websites.

North Shore News

The North Shore's community newspaper.

Squamish Nation

West Vancouver is on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation).

The official site of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), with access to current news and events as well as cultural and historical information.

Tsleil-Waututh Nation

West Vancouver is on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation).

The official site of the Tseil-Waututh Nation, with information about their history, governance, businesses, lands, and community projects and events.

West Vancouver Archives

Search or sift through West Vancouver's documentary heritage including public records created by the Municipal Government and private records which document the lives and experiences of residents, businesses, and community organizations in West Vancouver's past.

West Vancouver Art Musuem

Check out the museum's latest exhibition or browse through the museum's digital collection of important contemporary and modern artists, architects and photographers from British Columbia and beyond.

West Vancouver Heritage

The District's heritage page has information on National Historic Sites, heritage properties, and more.

West Vancouver Historical Society

The West Vancouver Historical Society is a nonprofit, public service organization interested in enjoying, celebrating, and preserving the history of West Vancouver.

West Vancouver Maps

Links to the District of West Vancouver's interactive web appplication WestMAP (GIS), the official Municipal Map and Guide, zoning maps, etc.

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