If you've ever wondered whether your family tree includes ancestors who fled north during the American Revolution, you're not alone. Atlantic Canada became home to thousands of United Empire Loyalists: American colonists who remained faithful to the British Crown during the turbulent 1770s and 1780s. These brave souls packed up their lives, often losing everything they'd built, and started fresh in what are now Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
Researching Loyalist ancestry can feel like detective work, but it's incredibly rewarding. These ancestors left behind a rich paper trail, and with the right approach, you can uncover fascinating stories of courage, sacrifice, and new beginnings. Whether you're just starting your genealogy journey or you've hit a brick wall with Atlantic Canadian roots, this guide will help you navigate the unique resources available for Loyalist research.
Step 1: Start With What You Know
Before diving into archives and databases, take stock of your existing family knowledge. Loyalist ancestry often reveals itself through family stories passed down through generations. Look for clues like:
- Family tales about ancestors who "came from America" in the late 1700s
- References to military service during the Revolutionary War
- Stories about losing property or businesses and starting over
- Mentions of government land grants or compensation
- Family surnames that appear on Loyalist lists
Create a timeline of what you know about your ancestors between 1775 and 1785. Even small details: like a birthplace in New York or Massachusetts: can provide crucial starting points for your research.
Step 2: Understanding the Key Records
Loyalist research requires familiarity with several unique record types that don't exist for other immigrant groups. These documents tell the story of displacement, military service, and resettlement:
Muster Rolls and Military Records
Many Loyalists served in provincial regiments alongside British forces. Muster rolls documented which soldiers were present at specific times and locations. These records often include ages, birthplaces, and family members: gold mines for genealogists.
Claims for Losses
Perhaps the most valuable Loyalist records are the claims submitted to the British government for property lost during the war. These detailed documents describe former homes, businesses, and possessions, painting vivid pictures of your ancestors' pre-war lives.
Land Grants and Petitions
The British government granted free land to Loyalists as compensation for their losses. These grants, along with associated petitions, provide settlement locations and sometimes family compositions.
Church Records
Many Loyalist communities quickly established churches. Baptismal, marriage, and burial records from these early congregations can fill gaps in official documentation.
Step 3: Major Archives and Repositories
Library and Archives Canada
The motherlode of Loyalist research sits in Ottawa. Their holdings include the original claims for losses, military records, and correspondence. Many of these records have been digitised and are searchable online. Start with their United Empire Loyalists research guide, which outlines available collections and search strategies.
Provincial Archives
Each Atlantic province maintains archives with region-specific Loyalist materials:
- Nova Scotia Archives holds extensive records for Loyalists who settled throughout the province, including the massive influx who founded Shelburne
- Provincial Archives of New Brunswick contains records for the Saint John River valley settlements and the founding of Saint John
- Prince Edward Island Public Archives has materials for the smaller but significant Loyalist population on the island
New England Historic Genealogical Society
Don't overlook American repositories. NEHGS has extensive Loyalist collections, including transcribed muster rolls and published genealogies.
Step 4: Essential Online Tools and Databases
United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada (UELAC)
This organisation maintains a comprehensive database of proven Loyalist lineages. Their website includes research guides, a certificate program for verified descendants, and contact information for local branches that can provide hands-on help.
FamilySearch
The free genealogy platform has digitised thousands of Loyalist-related records. Search their Canada Military Records collection and the various provincial record collections. Their wiki pages also provide excellent research guidance.
Ancestry and MyHeritage
These subscription services have indexed many Loyalist records, making them keyword-searchable. Look for collections like "U.S., Loyalist Claims Commission, 1776-1831" and various Canadian land records.
Google Books and Internet Archive
Many 19th and early 20th-century Loyalist histories and genealogies have been digitised. These published works often contain information not found anywhere else, though always verify details against primary sources.
Step 5: Research Strategies That Work
Follow the Military Connection
Most male Loyalists had some military involvement, even if brief. Start with British Army and Loyalist regiment records, then trace connections to land grants and civilian records.
Track the Family Unit
Loyalists often travelled in extended family groups. If you find one ancestor, search for siblings, parents, and cousins in the same records and locations.
Don't Ignore the Women
Female Loyalists appear in records more than you might expect. Widows submitted claims, women received land grants, and church records document their community involvement.
Use Geographic Clusters
Loyalists from the same American communities often settled together in Canada. If you find your ancestor in a specific Nova Scotia township, research other families from the same area: they likely shared American origins.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Assuming Every Early Settler Was a Loyalist
Not everyone who arrived in Atlantic Canada in the late 1700s was a Loyalist. Some were economic migrants, others came later from Britain or Ireland. Look for specific evidence of Revolutionary War-era displacement.
Relying Solely on Family Tradition
While family stories provide valuable clues, they're not always accurate. Always verify traditions against documentary evidence.
Overlooking Post-War Migration
Some families moved multiple times after the war. Your ancestor might have initially settled in Nova Scotia, moved to New Brunswick when it was created in 1784, then relocated again for better opportunities.
Neglecting American Records
Don't focus exclusively on Canadian sources. American records: town histories, probate files, military records: often provide crucial background information about your ancestor's pre-war life.
Advanced Research Tips
Explore Associated Families
Loyalist families often intermarried within their communities. If you're stuck on one line, research their neighbours and associates: marriage records might reveal family connections.
Check Multiple Spellings
18th-century record-keepers weren't always consistent with spelling. Search for phonetic variations of surnames and given names.
Look for Compensation Beyond Land
The British government provided various forms of assistance: provisions, transportation, tools, and even pensions for military service. These records might mention ancestors not found in land grants.
Making the Most of Your Research
Loyalist research requires patience and persistence, but the rewards are immense. These ancestors lived through one of North America's most tumultuous periods, making choices that shaped entire family lines. Their stories of loss, courage, and reinvention offer profound connections to our shared history.
Remember that Loyalist research often involves both American and Canadian records. Don't be surprised if your investigation takes you from a Nova Scotia land grant back to a New York probate file, then forward to a New Brunswick church record. These cross-border paper trails reflect the complex journeys our ancestors undertook.
As you dive into this fascinating research, keep detailed notes about sources and findings. Loyalist records can be scattered across multiple repositories, and you'll want to track where you've searched and what you've found.
Whether you're just beginning to explore potential Loyalist connections or you're ready to tackle advanced research challenges, remember that professional genealogists can help navigate complex cases and access records that might be difficult to obtain independently. At How We Got Here Genealogy Services, we specialise in Atlantic Canadian research and have extensive experience with Loyalist ancestry. Sometimes a fresh set of expert eyes can spot connections you might have missed or suggest new research directions that break through those stubborn brick walls.
Your Loyalist ancestors chose loyalty over convenience, often sacrificing everything for their principles. Their remarkable stories of resilience and new beginnings await your discovery in the rich archives of Atlantic Canada.
