The National Association of Japanese Canadians recognizes that there is growing interest on the part of Japanese Canadians in exploring their family history and roots. There are a number of resources that one can access to seek out information about their families, so we have created this page as a resource for Japanese Canadians to consult when exploring their history. We have identified two categories of resources – Canadian History and Japanese History.
Japanese Canadian Family History Program Introduction Session
The first introductory session of the Japanese Canadian Family History Program was held on November 8, 2024.
You can view the recording and slides from the session at the link below.
Introduction Session Recording
Family History Program Slides
FamilySearch – RootsTech
RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is the world’s largest family history conference. Attend in person or online March 6–8, 2025. Registration is now open.
Take your skills to the next level with:
• Inspiring keynotes
• Helpful classes and workshops
• Exciting demonstrations highlighting DNA and AI technology
• And much, much more!
Japanese Canadian History
1. LOI Database
This is the link to the database developed through the Landscapes of Injustice project, in conjunction with the Nikkei National Museum. The link gives you the background to the development and contents of the database, which is focused on records relating to the dispossession of Japanese Canadians due to the acts of the Canadian and British Columbian governments during World War II:
The actual searchable database (by name) can be found here:
For families that did not talk about the incarceration/dispossession of Japaense Canadians, this database can be used to identify where families were before the war, where they were relocated to during the war, what possessions were lost, etc.
2. National Digitization Strategy
The Nikkei National Museum, in conjunction with the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, is working on a National Digitization Strategy. That strategy is designed to make more resources available online to more people. The details of the strategy can be found here:
https://centre.nikkeiplace.org/resources/national-japanese-canadian-digitization-strategy/
The museum does have a searchable database of its own collection that can be searched/accessed here: https://nikkeimuseum.org/. You can choose to select a search across all participating organizations (including the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre)
3. Sedai Project
The Sedai Project is dedicated collecting, documenting, preserving and sharing the history of the Japanese Canadians. It was set up under the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto and the contents of its collection can be searched here:
https://jccc.on.ca/sedai-catalogue
4. Simon Fraser University Database
Some oral histories collected by the Nikkei National Museum from Japanese Canadians have been digitized and can be searched here:
https://digital.lib.sfu.ca/japanese-canadian-oral-history-collection
5. Galt Museum Archives
The Galt Museum is a museum in Southern Alberta (Lethbridge) which houses a pretty extensive collection about Japanese Canadians, especially those that were relocated to the Southern Alberta sugar beet farms after being forcibly removed from the west coast of British Columbia. For those families that were in the area, they can search their online archives here:
https://collections.galtmuseum.com/
6. BC Historical Signage Project
A few years back members of the Japanese Canadian government worked with the Government of BC to research and erect highway signage to commemorate internment, road and self-supporting camps that were set up to house Japanese Canadians that were relocated from the West Coast. A description of the project, camp locations and the signs that were erected can be found here:
7. Family History Research
The Nikkei National Museum lists this service on their website – not sure if that needs to be updated though:
https://centre.nikkeiplace.org/research/family-history/
8. New Denver Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre
The New Denver Nikkei Interment Memorial Centre is a centre that has preserved buildings and artifacts from an internment camp that was located on the site.
They reference some digital resources that are located on some other sites.
Japanese Family History
Japanese Family History Facebook Group
We recommend that if you want to get detailed information about your family roots in Japan, then join the Japanese Family History Facebook Group. There are currently slightly more than 1,000 members. It is a great source of information and encouragement. Because of security considerations, please answer ALL of the screening questions.
The link is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/japanese.family.history
Requesting your Family Records from Japan
The mykoseki.com lookup database is an extremely useful and valuable resource that can tell you where you can submit a request for family records. This resource links 15,000+ villages from 1889 (more or less the time of emigration) to the 1,900 current-day municipalities. This was about a 2-year effort to compile this.
If you know the village name where your ancestors came from, you can just input the village name (without the “-mura” suffix) to find out where your records can be requested from:
http://www.mykoseki.com/find-my-koseki/
- If you do not know where your ancestors came from in Japan, and if your family was in Canada in 1929, then the missing information may be found in the 1929 Directory of Japanese Living in Canada. If you do not have access to this publication, you can contact the National Association of Japanese Canadians at [email protected] and we may be able to assist you in finding this information out.
Japanese Canadian Heritage Resources
Explore resources about the history and heritage of Japanese Canadians, organized by region.
Tashme (now known as Sunshine Valley)
Shoyu Factory at Tashme Internment Camp
Learn about the remarkable shoyu (soy sauce) factory that was established and flourished in the Tashme internment camp. Visit the Tashme website.
The Story of Tak Negoro
Discover the history of Tak Negoro, a significant figure in Tashme’s past. Read his story here.
Haney (Maple Ridge)
Leadership and Legacy of Tokutaro Tsuyuki
Learn about the outstanding leadership and legacy of Tokutaro Tsuyuki from Haney. More details here.
Nagai Greenhouses in Haney
The Nagai Greenhouses are an important part of Haney’s heritage. Find out more.
Surrey
Legacy of the Tsuyuki and Yoshizawa Families’ Greenhouse Business
After their release in 1949, the Tsuyuki and Yoshizawa families operated greenhouse and nursery businesses in Surrey from 1951 to 2001. Kiyo Park is now located on what was their 20-acre farmland. Learn more about Kiyo Park.
Other Resources
Map of Industrial Heritage Sites in British Columbia
Explore an interactive map of industrial heritage sites across British Columbia. View the map here.
Oral Histories in British Columbia
Discover recorded stories that capture the experiences of people across the province. Visit the Labour Heritage Centre’s oral history page.
Japanese Canadian Family History Program
Explore resources about the Japanese Canadian Family History Program.
Visit the Japanese Canadian Family History Program page.