Newfoundland and Labrador form the most easterly province of Canada. On Newfoundland island, the Norse archaeological site L’Anse aux Meadows is the reputed settlement of Viking explorer Leif Erikson. Gros Morne National Park, on the Gulf of St Lawrence, has cliffs, waterfalls and glacial fjords. Southeastern capital city St. John’s is known for the 17th-century Signal Hill citadel, with a hillside walking trail.
Population: 521,542 (2019)
Capital: St. John’s
Area: 405,212 km²
Canadian Postal abbr.: NL (formerly NF)
Confederation: March 31, 1949 (12th)
Demonym(s): Newfoundlander; Labradorian
Newfoundland and Labrador’s history as a separate British colony until 1949 means its records are distinct from the Maritime provinces. Success in this research relies heavily on the centralized collections at The Rooms (Provincial Archives) and an understanding of the extensive church records that often pre-date civil registration.
Essential Records at The Rooms and Provincial Archives
The Rooms is the central hub for the province’s cultural and historical records, housing key government and religious documents essential for genealogy.
Provincial Archives
- The archives holds vast records, including the Keith Matthews Name Files Index, 1500-1850., a key resource for early settlement.
- Search for vital records, wills, and estate records, often organized by district.
Genealogical Societies
Facebook Pages & Groups
Connecting with local researchers is vital for overcoming the challenges of isolated settlements.
- Atlantic Canada DNA Genealogy
- Grand Bank, Newfoundland Genealogy Research
- Newfoundlanders and Genealogy
- Hawco Genealogy – Newfoundland
Local Histories
These are crucial for context, given the oral tradition of many Newfoundland communities.
Other Resources
Newfoundland’s records are extensive and specialized, covering unique aspects like the fishery and military service.
- Newfoundland and Labrador GenWeb
- Official Gazette of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
- MUN Digital Archives
- Centre for Newfoundland Studies
- Maritime History Archive
- Virtual Museum of Labrador – Genealogy Content
- Newfoundlanders in the 1880 U.S. Census
- Newfoundlanders in the Essex County, Massachusetts 1870 Census
- Vital Statistics for Newfoundland listed by district
- Newfoundland, Vital Records, 1840-1949. Index and images of births, delayed registrations of births, marriages, and deaths
- Newfoundland Wills Index 1830-1962
- Newfoundland and Labrador Parish Records
- Misc. Newfoundland Deaths 1878-1886. Abstracted from The Dominion Annual Register and Review
- Military Records of Newfoundlanders Who Served in Various Units During World War II
- Newfoundland Church Society Annual Reports
- The First Five Hundred
- Surnames from Births, Deaths and Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers, 1810-1890.
- Index of Newfoundland Captains, 1820-1889 Listing of all captains noted in the Certificates of Vessel Registry for Newfoundland
- Business and general directory of Newfoundland, 1877. Containing classified lists of the business men of St. John’s and the leading towns and districts of the colony
- The Newfoundland Almanac for the year 1868. Includes several lists of names.
- Military Records of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment & The Newfoundland Forestry Corps World War 1
- McAlpine’s Maritime Provinces Directory for 1870-71 Extract: Newfoundland sections only
- Newfoundland Voter’s Lists. A listing of the voter’s list for many of the districts for different Years across the entire Province
- Transcriptions from Various Newspapers for NewfoundlandersKeith Matthews Name Files Index, 1500-1850. Collection of information on 7300 surnames of people involved in the settlement, fisheries and trade of Newfoundland, from earliest settlement to 1850.
- Women in Sport in Pre-Confederation Newfoundland
- Family Names of Calvert (Caplin Bay), Avalon South Region, Newfoundland
- Family Names Of Holyrood, Avalon South Region, Newfoundland
- Port de Grave, Conception Bay North Region, Newfoundland Genealogy Queries
Ready to Dive Deeper into Newfoundland?
You have the records and the strategies. The key to unlocking your Newfoundland family history is persistence in the provincial archives and connecting with local institutions.
- Need Expert Guidance? If your brick wall involves a missing pre-1871 record or an elusive Loyalist ancestor, get a personalized Research Plan or Brick Wall Busting Session with an Atlantic Canada expert. Book a free 30 Minute Consultation
- Want More Stories? Listen to our podcast for ancestral stories about migration and settlement in the Maritimes, including those early Fisherman who first settled Newfoundland Check out our YouTube Channel