The Ultimate Canadian Genealogy Resource Hub: Records, Strategies, and Historical Context
Welcome to the definitive guide to Canadian genealogy research. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by missing records, provincial border changes, or the complex migrations of the Maritime provinces, you’re not alone. Canada’s unique history—shaped by Indigenous communities, Loyalists, Acadians, and mass immigration from Scotland and Ireland—requires a specialized approach.
This resource hub, compiled by How We Got Here Genealogy, is your map. We cut through the confusion to deliver essential record guides, provincial-specific strategies, and the historical context you need to turn names and dates into your family’s story. Use the links below to dive into the specific region or community where your ancestors lived.
Why Canadian Genealogy Requires a Specialized Approach
Canadian research is often challenging because record-keeping evolved differently across the provinces and territories, especially before Confederation in 1867. You must understand the historical and political context to know where your ancestor’s records are housed—often in provincial archives, not central federal databases.
The Challenge of Shifting Borders
Before the four founding provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario) settled into their modern boundaries, land often belonged to different entities, or even different countries! When your ancestor appears to “vanish,” always check the administrative boundaries from that specific year. For example, records for early settlers in what is now New Brunswick may be found in Nova Scotia archives if they predated the 1784 split.
The Three Great Waves of Migration
- Acadians (Settlement & Expulsion): French settlers arriving in the 1600s, followed by the devastating expulsion of 1755.
- United Empire Loyalists: Thousands fled the American Revolution, settling heavily in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
- Scottish & Irish Immigration: Driven by poverty, famine, and clearances, these groups profoundly shaped the culture and records of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Your Roadmap to Atlantic Canada Records
The most crucial rule for the Maritimes is: Start Local. While the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) offers excellent national resources (like the census), the records you need to prove a family link—births, marriages, deaths, and land records—are nearly always held at the Provincial Archives.
Essential Vital Records Overview
| Province | B.M.D. Records are generally available… | Key Resource to Check |
| Nova Scotia | Early 1800s onward (coverage varies). | Nova Scotia Archives (online collections). |
| New Brunswick | Registration began officially around 1888. | Provincial Archives of New Brunswick (PANB). |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Varies widely; some church records from early 1800s. | The Rooms Provincial Archives (St. John’s). |
| Prince Edward Island | Good coverage from the mid-1800s. | Prince Edward Island Public Archives and Records Office (PARO). |
Explore Your Specific Maritime Ancestry
To help you with your search, we have broken down our expert resources into dedicated pages focusing on the unique records, migration patterns, and historical communities of the region. Click on the pages below to find deep-dive guides, key archives, and specialized search strategies.
- Nova Scotia: In-depth strategies for using the Nova Scotia Archives and finding Cape Breton settlers.
- New Brunswick: Research secrets for the PANB and tracing your Loyalist and Irish ancestry. [Link to New New Brunswick Page]
- Prince Edward Island: Guides to the unique land system and records at the PEI Public Archives. [Link to New PEI Page]
- Newfoundland & Labrador: Mastering records at The Rooms, early church sources, and unique island histories. [Link to New Newfoundland Page]
- United Empire Loyalists: The essential records needed to prove lineage, including muster rolls and land grants
- Acadian Ancestry: Tracing your family’s story pre- and post-expulsion, with a focus on core records.