Can anyone help her?? -----Original Message----- From: Karen Abbott [mailto:karenabb@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 1:34 PM To: copies@bccopies.ca Subject: birth record question Hi, I'm a writer working on a book for Random House about 1930s burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee, and I'm trying to trace her family lineage. Gypsy's real name was Rose Louise Hovick, and it's always been assumed that she was born in Seattle, Washington, USA. (Her sister, Ellen June Hovick, reportedly was born in Vancouver.) However, I recently obtained a copy of Ellen June's birth certificate, which indicates that she was born in Seattle--not Vancouver--and on a date that is frequently cited as Gypsy's birthday. I'm guessing that Gypsy was born out of wedlock, and her mother either didn't report the birth, or went north to deliver the baby in Canada so the neighbors wouldn't talk (hence the Vancouver reference). Ellen June's birthday is recorded as January 8, 1911, and Gypsy was approximately two years older, so I assume she was born in either 1908 or 1909. Is there any way to search for and obtain birth certificates in Vancouver for these years? I'm not quite sure how the system works, but I'd happily hire a local researcher if that would increase my chances of finding birth date information for Rose Louise Hovick. I live in Atlanta, GA, USA, so my ability to search for records myself is obviously limited. Any advice or leads would be greatly appreciated. My number is 678-521-8045. Thanks so much for your time and help. Sincerely, Karen Abbott www.sininthesecondcity.com Hi Karen, Unfortunately the laws in British Columbia don't allow birth records to become public until 110 years after the event. I can't think of any other method to find out, especially if the mother came from Seattle just to have a baby and then return. The census and phone records would be of no help. I am going to forward your email to the BC List and see if anyone there has an idea. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Don (in Vancouver)