Atlantic Canada - Genealogy

Getting Started

The historical development of each Maritime province greatly determines the genealogical records available to trace family histories.  For example, civil registration was not required until the late 19th century.  The Canadiana Department at the North York Central Library has some early vital statistics, family histories, census records and more. Also available are deposit collections from the Canadian Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the Jewish Genealogical Society. The Humanities & Social Sciences Department at Toronto Reference Library has extensive records for Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Searching the Library Website

Suggested Subjects and Keywords

• [name of province] genealogy e.g. Prince Edward Island genealogy
• census [place] [year] e.g. census Colchester 1891
• registers [name of province] e.g. registers Newfoundland
• cemeteries [name of province] e.g. cemeteries Nova Scotia
• maritime provinces genealogy

Suggested Titles

General  

• Atlantic Canadians 1600 -1900 
• In search of your Canadian roots: tracing your family tree in Canada
• Genealogist's handbook for Atlantic Canada research
• Erin's sons: Irish arrivals in Atlantic Canada 1761-1853

New Brunswick

• Early marriage records of New Brunswick: Saint John City and County from the British conquest to 1839
• Finding your ancestors in New Brunswick
• Starting a family history project in New Brunswick Canada
• Vital Statistics from New Brunswick newspapers

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Births, deaths, marriages in Newfoundland newspapers [1825-1888]
• Cemetery inscriptions from the Labrador
• Family names of the island of Newfoundland
• Researching your family's history in Newfoundland and Labrador [pamphlet]
• Researching your family history in Newfoundland and Labrador

Nova Scotia

• Deaths, burials and probate from Nova Scotians, 1800-1850, from primary sources
• Genealogical research in Nova Scotia, 4th ed.
• Nova Scotia vital statistics from newspapers (multi-volume set)

Prince Edward Island

• Checklist and historical directory of Prince Edward Island newspapers, 1787-1986
• Early Prince Edward Island probate records, 1786-1850
• Family history in Prince Edward Island: a genealogical research guide

Using Online Resources

Recommended Websites

• Atlantic Canada - Genealogy

Recommended Databases

• Globe and Mail - Canada's Heritage from 1844 (Toronto Public Library card login required)
• Toronto Star - Pages of the Past (Toronto Public Library card login required)

In Library Resources

Database

• Ancestry Library Edition (access from any Toronto Public Library computer)
  

Periodicals

• Generations (New Brunswick Genealogical Society)
• Newfoundland ancestor ( Newfoundland & Labrador Genealogical Society)
• Newsletter (P.E.I. Genealogical Society)
• Nova Scotia genealogist (Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia)
• Them days (Labrador Heritage Society)

Microforms

• Census returns 1666-1891 and 1901 supplement (see Catalogue of Census Returns on Microfilm 1666-1901)
• Newfoundland census 1921, 1935, 1945 (see finding aid)
• Directories (see Atlantic Directories to 1900 on microfiche and Checklist of Canadian directories 1790-1950)

Maps

• Historical Atlas of the Maritime Provinces 1878
• Atlas of the Province of Prince Edward Island, Canada (1928)
• Atlas of York County, New Brunswick
• Illustrated historical atlas of Pictou County, Nova Scotia (1879)
• Illustrated historical atlas of Prince Edward Island  (1880)

For further assistance contact:

Canadiana Department, North York Central Library 416-395-5623

Humanities and Social Sciences Department, Toronto Reference Library 416-395-5577