Curious about where your story begins? Whether you’re tracing a single family line or mapping out generations, genealogy research is a journey of discovery—and the ORL is here to help every step of the way.
From beginner-friendly books to powerful online databases and welcoming programs, the ORL offers a wide range of resources to support anyone interested in exploring their family history.
Sometimes the best place to begin is with a good research guide. The ORL’s collection includes practical, approachable titles that help turn curiosity into confident research.
Guide to Genealogy by Tamara J. Resler
A lively, hands-on introduction that walks readers through interviewing relatives, building a family tree, and using modern tools to bring family history to life.
Crash Course in Genealogy by David R. Dowell
A clear, step-by-step guide to genealogy research methods, sources, and strategies, including how to work with records, DNA information, and international research.
Genealogy Online by Elizabeth Powell Crowe
A comprehensive guide to researching family history online, covering everything from major genealogy websites to organizing, verifying, and sharing your findings.
Explore Powerful Online Resources
The ORL provides access to trusted genealogy databases that open doors to records, documents, and stories from around the world.
FamilySearch
Explore your family history using one of the world’s largest shared family trees. FamilySearch offers access to historical records, photographs, and stories that help connect generations. Full access is available at the Downtown Kelowna Branch only.
Ancestry
Search billions of historical documents, census records, images, and family trees using one of the most widely used genealogy platforms. Ancestry is available on in-branch library computers or through the ORL’s in-branch Wi-Fi.
Points to the Past
Dig into nearly 200 million digitized pages of newspapers, maps, photos, and historical documents. This resource is ideal for anyone researching local history, social movements, literature, or community stories.
Learn from ORL Research Guides and Trusted Collections
Created by ORL librarians, these guides and collections help researchers navigate both local and national history with confidence.
ORL Guides – Researching Local History
This online guide introduces key tools, tips, and strategies for uncovering local history. It highlights reliable sources and helps researchers understand where to begin and how to dig deeper.
In addition, these publicly accessible collections offer rich material for genealogical and historical research:
- Library and Archives Canada
Canada’s national archive provides searchable access to records that document the country’s people, communities, and government history. - Royal BC Museum and Archives
Offers extensive digitized records and research tools to support archival research from home. - UBC Library’s Open Collections
Features digitized books, newspapers, maps, photographs, videos, theses, and the complete Okanagan Historical Society Annual Reports. - Historypin
A crowd-sourced collection of photographs and stories that bring community histories to life across Canada. - The ORL’s Local History Collection
Includes historic newspaper collections at the Kelowna and Salmon Arm branches, along with the full run of the Okanagan Historical Society’s Annual Reports, searchable by name.
Connect Through Programs and Community
Genealogy research does not have to be a solo pursuit. The ORL offers programs that bring people together to learn, share, and problem-solve.
Family History Forum Online
Hosted in partnership with the Kelowna and District Genealogical Society, this virtual series explores a wide range of family history topics, from understanding sources to building strong research citations.
Genealogy Meetup In-Person
This welcoming, in-person group at the Salmon Arm Branch is open to beginners and experienced researchers alike. Participants share tips, explore research challenges, and learn new approaches together.
Start Your Search with the ORL
Whether you are just getting started or returning to a long-standing research project, the ORL offers tools, guidance, and community support to help you uncover the stories that shape your family history. Visit your local branch or explore the ORL’s digital resources to begin your journey.
Need More Help?
Call us at 1-844-649-8127 or email help@orl.bc.ca. Please include as many details as you can about your question, account, or device—this helps us support you more quickly and accurately. Library card expired? Reach out to your local branch or contact us online to renew—it’s quick and easy.
