Nova Scotia began recording births officially in 1864, though earlier records were maintained by churches, particularly Anglican, Catholic, and Presbyterian parishes.
As one of Canada’s oldest provinces, Nova Scotia has a deep genealogical history tied to early European settlers, including the Scottish, Irish, Acadians, and Loyalists who arrived during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The province is also home to one of Canada’s oldest African Canadian communities, with records tracing back to Black Loyalists and freed slaves from the American Revolution. The Nova Scotia Vital Statistics office oversees modern birth records, while the Nova Scotia Archives provides access to older church and census records, making the province a valuable resource for genealogical research.
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Birth, Marriage & Death
Birth Records
- Canada, Nova Scotia Parish Baptisms, 1748-1930 423,600 records
- Canada, Nova Scotia Births, 1836-1921 417,794 records
