FamilySearch Begins Indexing of British Columbia, Canada Marriage Records 1859-1932

FamilySearch.org is now indexing British Columbia, Canada marriage records and registrations including the Colonial marriage records, British Columbia and Vancouver Island clergy records sent to the Colonial Secretary from 1859 to 1872, as well as the province's civil registration forms for marriages from 1872 to 1932.

While I know that most British Columbia records relevant to genealogy have no indexes at all, and accurate indexes for these marriage records already exist, there are no other province wide indexing projects on-line right now, so please have a look and assist if you can.

My understanding is that only Canadians are eligible to index these. I'm not sure why that is, as many Canadians index other countries' records, and, as far as I remember, past Canadian projects, like those at http://www.automatedgenealogy.com/

were open to all. Perhaps someone knows if this is correct and if so, why? (Just can't help but wonder.)

To see all the FamilySearch projects, go to:
www.familysearchindexing.org/projects/current_projects.jsf

If you then click on 'British Columbia Marriages 1859-1932' in the list, you will see more information about this project, and links to an example of a record and to instructions.

To volunteer if you're not already registered, go to http://www.familysearch.org/
click on 'Index Records', then click the 'VOLUNTEER' button. If you've registered as an indexer with Familysearch before, simply click on 'START INDEXING'.

The current indexes available on-line and on microfilm from the BC Archives include bride and groom's names, place (city or town) and date of marriage and registration numbers, etc. for civil registrations from 1872-1933. The Colonial marriage record index from 1859-1872 also gives the church or parish name.

In addition, FamilySearch is indexing each bride and groom's birthplaces (town and province or country), their Indian band, reserve or tribe, if applicable and if recorded, their parents' names as given and whether the marriage was by banns or license. I am however sad to see that marriage witnesses are not apparently going to be indexed as this would have added considerable value to this index.