On the third Monday in February, we celebrate Family Day. Schools are closed, most people get the day off work, and families of all definitions are encouraged to get together and celebrate the day.

Whether it's accepting donated items from the relatives of clergy members or finding Sacramental Records for soon-to-be-married couples, here at ARCAT we encounter the concept of family in a number of ways. One way in particular is through the multitude of genealogy requests we receive. Genealogy is the study of family history and requires the searcher to trace a family's lineage through oral histories, historical records, and other records that shed light on a person's ancestry.

Sacramental Records such as marriage certificates prove to be a rich resource for genealogists, along with birth and death certificates from government archives. However, mandatory government-implemented vital records registration only traces its roots back to the 19th century. In Canada, the Census and Statistics Act was first passed in 1847, providing for a decennial census and the registration of births and deaths. Legislation enforcing the registration of these life events with civil authorities was passed by various provinces between 1864-1905.

For vital records that pre-date mandatory vital records registration, where might a genealogist search for proof of lineage? The answer for many genealogists is the Family Bible.

Prior to the 20th century, the Family Bible was a staple in households and acted as the official place for a family's vital records. These books were often given as gifts to married couples or passed down through generations, allowing members to record their marriage, births of children, family deaths, and other vital family events. These sections for family history were found either at the back of the bible or in between the first and second testament.

Enjoy three family bibles from our collection: