Glossary of Terms

The ability to look at historical documents at an archives, following the guidelines and restrictions set by the institution that manages the collection.

A larger or sometimes more historically important diocese led by an Archbishop. In this project, the Archdiocese of Vancouver is the central coordinating body for the online portal.

An institution that collects, preserves, and makes available historical documents and records for research within the confines of privacy laws.

A Catholic sacrament of initiation, often the first record of a person's life in Church records. It usually includes names of parents and godparents, date of birth, and baptism.

A Government record recording the birth of all children in the province. British Columbia started collecting this information in 1872. The Catholic Church does not have birth records although sometimes date and place of birth are recorded in the baptismal record.

A document recording the date and location of a person's burial. Often includes age, cause of death, and place of death.

The internal legal system of the Catholic Church that governs Church practices, including the creation and preservation of sacramental records.

A group of materials, such as documents, photographs, and maps, preserved in an archives, usually grouped by origin or subject.

A Catholic sacrament that typically follows baptism, especially for young people or converts. It may include the name of the bishop and sponsor.

The practice of repairing or stabilizing damaged documents to prevent further deterioration.

A Government record recording all deaths in the province. British Columbia started collecting this information in 1872. The Catholic Church does not have death records, although burial records sometimes records date and place of death.

A geographical area or region of the Catholic Church overseen by a bishop. Each diocese has its own parishes and archives.

A written, printed, or digital piece of material that provides information or serves as an official record.

Printed materials originally meant for short-term use, such as pamphlets, flyers, or event programs, now preserved for their historical value.

A Catholic sacrament marking the first time a person receives the Eucharist. It may be recorded in parish sacramental registers.

A guide that provides context, structure, and contents of archival collections to help researchers locate useful materials.

The study of family history and ancestral lines using historical records such as birth, marriage, and death registers.

All the archival records held by an institution, including photographs, documents, personal papers, maps, plans and more.

The smallest unit in an archival collection, such as a single letter, photograph, or document.

A document recording the Catholic sacrament of marriage, typically including the names of the bride and groom, witnesses, and officiating priest.

Information about a digital object (e.g., name, date, location) that helps describe and locate it in a searchable system.

A flat sheet of photographic film that holds miniaturized images of documents. Requires a special reader to view.

A roll of photographic film used to store small images of records. Commonly used for old newspapers and government records.

An open-source software platform used for displaying digital collections online. This project uses Omeka to provide access to Catholic records.

A local Catholic community with its own church and priest, forming part of a diocese. Parish priests maintain sacramental records. Parish secretaries are responsible for the safe keeping of the records. The central archives may or may not have copies of the records.

A small-scale version of a larger project used to test and improve a system before full implementation.

An original record or document created at the time of an event. Examples include baptismal registers, letters, or photographs.

A sacrament in the Catholic Church involving confession and forgiveness of sins. Also used more broadly to describe efforts to heal relationships, especially between Indigenous peoples and institutions like the Church.

A bound volume where sacraments (baptism, marriage, burial, etc.) are recorded by a parish priest.

Official Catholic documents created when sacraments such as baptism, marriage, or burial are performed. These are primary sources for both spiritual and historical research.

A work that interprets or analyzes primary sources, such as a book or article written after the fact.

Many Indigenous names and places were written phonetically by priests whose first language was often French. This means names may appear in multiple forms; broad or flexible search strategies are recommended.

A woman who has taken religious vows in the Catholic Church, dedicating her life to God and service to others. Sisters often belong to a religious community and may work in education, healthcare, or social services. They are sometimes referred to as nuns, though technically not all Sisters are cloistered nuns.

A man who has taken religious vows in the Catholic Church. He is not a priest but lives in a religious community, usually working in education, outreach, or missionary work. Like Sisters, Brothers commit to a life of service and prayer.

In Catholic tradition, Father is a title given to a priest, who is an ordained man responsible for leading a parish, celebrating Mass, and performing sacraments like baptisms and marriages. The title "Father" is a sign of respect for their spiritual leadership.

A woman who has taken religious vows and usually lives a life of prayer, often in a cloistered or closed-off setting like a convent or monastery. Nuns live separately from the public and focus more on prayer and contemplation. (Note: While all nuns are Sisters, not all Sisters are nuns.)

A group of Catholic men or women who live together under shared vows (poverty, chastity, obedience) and follow a specific spiritual mission. Communities may focus on teaching, nursing, missionary work, or prayer. Each community has its own name, rules, and leadership.

A Catholic religious community of missionary priests and Brothers. They came to British Columbia in 1858 to work with Indigenous peoples and settlers. They founded missions, churches, and schools across Western Canada. Many of the early Catholic records in this project were created by Oblate priests.

A Catholic religious community of women who arrived in British Columbia in 1858 from Quebec. They were educators and nurses, founding schools and hospitals in Indigenous and settler communities across the province.

A Catholic religious community of women who took vows to serve the poor, sick, and vulnerable. They came to the Pacific Northwest in the 1850s from Montreal and became known for founding and running hospitals, schools, and orphanages, especially in New Westminster.

A Catholic religious order founded by St. Benedict in the 6th century. In British Columbia, Benedictine monks from Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon served as administrators and clergy at Christie Indian Residential School, located on Meares Island near Tofino and Benedictine Sisters served as teachers. They were responsible for the day-to-day education. They played a significant role in the school's operations for several decades. Unfortunately, many of the Benedictines' historical records were lost in a fire at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon, making it more difficult today to trace their activities and the experiences of those who attended Christie School.