Information Sources

This Information Source is the result of two projects; the first in 1978 by the then "Victoria Black People’s Society" which resulted in a 230 page "catalogue' with 11 sections as shown below; with hundreds of references to books, articles, newspapers, images and aural tapes that had been sourced through a number of public archives; the entire document typed on a Smith-Corona typewriter!

The 2nd project in 2017 was to convert the catalogue into this "online catalogue and information source". New information is added from time to time.

In January 2020, we were contacted by the Research team from Luxton/Happy Valley Archives; they had found and researched substantial information about Black settlers on the south-western shore of Vancouver Island. It was decided that the information about these settlers would be organized and presented in the same format as “The Catalogue” This section is Happy Valley-Highlands settlers

Notes on Information Sources provides information about the content of this catalogue and shows the original Cover Page, Preface and Acknowledgements written by then President Jesse J. Dillard, Jr., and the Location of Materials.

Section I: Blacks in Canada 

Provides an overview for Canada and context for British Columbia.

Section II: Blacks in British Columbia History.  References books, articles, newspapers, aural tapes dating back to 1858. Information is presented in more detail in its relevant category in the remaining sections. Special section on Happy Valley-Highlands settlers

Section III: Population  Data from Statistics Canada as well as historical "unofficial estimates: Canada, B.C. Vancouver, Victoria,
Salt Spring Island and Yukon.

Section IV: Education General Information, Schools and Integration, Teachers with brief biographical information.

Section V: Employment and Occupations General Information and Occupations: For each of the 50 plus occupations included, the names of persons in these occupations is provided.

 Section VI: Women Brief biographical information for each woman with references.

Section VII: The Military and Police Victoria Pioneer Rifles, Armed Forces, Early Black Policeman, Contemporary Policeman (up to 1978).

 Section VIII: Politics Legislative Assembly Elections in Victoria 1860 – 1864, The Saltspring Island Municipal Council 1873 – 1883, Political Organizations. Politicians:  Brief biographical information for each politician.

Section IX: Legal Issues    Civil/Human Rights Cases: Jury Duty, Access to Drinking Establishments, Theatre Segregation, Mining Claims, Immigration, False arrests. Criminal Cases: Punishable Offenses committed by Blacks, Victoria and the Cariboo 1858 – 1871, Punishable Offenses Committed Against Blacks 1858-1871.

Section X: The Church and Religious Life Church Segregation 1858–1861, Church Segregation 1882. The African Methodist Episcopal Church. Religious Life in Victoria and Saltspring Island. Noted individuals.

Section XI: Social Activities and Issues The social activities include social events as well as racial and/or discriminatory issues surrounding these events/activities.