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Nova Scotia History: Difference between revisions

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=== Introduction ===
==Brief History==
You will need some understanding of the historical events that affected your family and the records about them. Learning about wars, governments, laws, migrations, and religious trends may help you understand political boundaries, family movements, and settlement patterns. Records of these events, such as land and military documents, may mention your family.  
*Nova Scotia includes regions of the Mi'kmaq nation of Mi'kma'ki (mi'gama'gi).
 
*The French arrived in 1604, and Catholic Mi'kmaq and Acadians formed the majority of the population for the next 150 years.
Your ancestors’ lives will be more interesting if you learn about the history they may have been part of. For example, in a history you might learn about the events that occurred the year your great-grandparents were married.  
*In 1754–63, the British deported the Acadians and recruited New England planters to resettle the colony.
*The New England Planters were settlers from the New England colonies who responded to invitations by the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, Charles Lawrence, to settle lands left vacant by the Bay of Fundy Campaign (1755) of the Acadian Expulsion.
*Eight thousand Planters (roughly 2000 families), largely farmers and fishermen, arrived from 1759 to 1768 to take up the offer. The farmers settled mainly on the rich farmland of the Annapolis Valley and in the southern counties of what is now New Brunswick, but was then part of Nova Scotia. Most of the fishermen went to the South Shore of Nova Scotia.
*In 1763, most of Acadia (Cape Breton Island, St. John's Island, and New Brunswick became part of Nova Scotia.
*After the American Revolution (1775–1783), approximately 33,000 Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia (14,000 of them in what became New Brunswick) on lands granted by the Crown as some compensation for their losses.
*The Loyalist exodus created new communities across Nova Scotia and infused Nova Scotia with additional capital and skills. However the migration also caused political tensions between Loyalist leaders and the leaders of the existing New England Planters settlement.
*The Loyalist influx pushed Nova Scotia's 2000 Mi'kmaq People to the margins as Loyalist land grants encroached on native lands.  
*About 3,000 Black Loyalists arrived and founded the largest free Black settlement in North America at Birchtown.
*The British administration divided Nova Scotia and separated off Cape Breton and New Brunswick in 1784.<ref>"Nova Scotia", at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia, accessed 20 November 2020.</ref>


== Timeline  ==
== Timeline  ==
Line 29: Line 37:
*'''1755:''' Most French Acadians were expelled by the British. Many returned later.  
*'''1755:''' Most French Acadians were expelled by the British. Many returned later.  
*'''1758:''' Louisbourg was captured by the British.  
*'''1758:''' Louisbourg was captured by the British.  
*'''1763: '''Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island were annexed&nbsp;to Nova Scotia.  
*'''1763: '''Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island were annexed to Nova Scotia.  
*'''1773:''' The first Scottish settlers arrived.  
*'''1773:''' The first Scottish settlers arrived.  
*'''1783:''' American refugees of the American Revolution, who were also known as United Empire Loyalists, came to Nova Scotia. Cape Breton and New Brunswick enjoyed separate governments.  
*'''1783:''' American refugees of the American Revolution, who were also known as United Empire Loyalists, came to Nova Scotia. Cape Breton and New Brunswick enjoyed separate governments.  
Line 46: Line 54:
These are two of many historical sources:  
These are two of many historical sources:  


*''A Short History of Canada'' <ref>Morton, Desmond. ''A Short History of Canada''. Edmonton: Hurtig Publishers, 1983. {{FSC|614713|title-id|disp=FS Library book 971 H2md}}.)</ref>
*''A Short History of Canada'' <ref>Morton, Desmond. ''A Short History of Canada''. Edmonton: Hurtig Publishers, 1983. {{FSC|614713|title-id|disp=FS Catalog book 971 H2md}}.)</ref>


*''The Atlantic Provinces: The Emergence of Colonial Society, 1712–1857'' <ref>MacNutt, W. S. ''The Atlantic Provinces: The Emergence of Colonial Society, 1712–1857''. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1965. ({{FSC|382319|title-id|disp=FS Library book 971.5 H2mws}}.)</ref> )
*''The Atlantic Provinces: The Emergence of Colonial Society, 1712–1857'' <ref>MacNutt, W. S. ''The Atlantic Provinces: The Emergence of Colonial Society, 1712–1857''. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1965. ({{FSC|382319|title-id|disp=FS Catalog book 971.5 H2mws}}.)</ref> )


The [https://www.familysearch.org/family-history-library/welcome-to-the-family-history-library Family History Library] has some published national, provincial, and local histories. See the Locality Search of the [[FamilySearch Catalog Surname Search|FamilySearch Catalog Surname Search]] under:  
The [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] has some published national, provincial, and local histories. See the Locality Search of the [[FamilySearch Catalog Surname Search|FamilySearch Catalog Surname Search]] under:  


::CANADA - HISTORY [PROVINCE] - HISTORY  
{{Block indent|CANADA - HISTORY [PROVINCE] - HISTORY |2}}
::[PROVINCE], [COUNTY] - HISTORY  
{{Block indent|[PROVINCE], [COUNTY] - HISTORY |2}}
::[PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [CITY] - HISTORY  
{{Block indent|[PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [CITY] - HISTORY |2}}
::[PROVINCE], [CITY] - HISTORY
{{Block indent|[PROVINCE], [CITY] - HISTORY|2}}


== Canadian Sources  ==
== Canadian Sources  ==
Line 61: Line 69:
Encyclopedias also include excellent articles on the history of Canada. Many books and articles on Canadian history are listed in these annotated bibliographies:  
Encyclopedias also include excellent articles on the history of Canada. Many books and articles on Canadian history are listed in these annotated bibliographies:  


*''A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. I. Beginnings to Confederation.'' <ref>Muise, D. A., ed. ''A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. I. Beginnings to Confederation.'' Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982. ({{FSC|364825|title-id|disp=FS Library book 971 H23r v. 1}})</ref>
*''A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. I. Beginnings to Confederation.'' <ref>Muise, D. A., ed. ''A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. I. Beginnings to Confederation.'' Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982. ({{FSC|364825|title-id|disp=FS Catalog book 971 H23r v. 1}})</ref>


*''A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. II. Confederation to the Present.'' <ref>Granatstein, J. L., and Paul Stevens, eds. ''A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. II. Confederation to the Present.'' Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982. (FS Library book {{FSC|364825|title-id|disp=971 H23r v. 2}})</ref>
*''A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. II. Confederation to the Present.'' <ref>Granatstein, J. L., and Paul Stevens, eds. ''A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. II. Confederation to the Present.'' Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982. (FS Library book {{FSC|364825|title-id|disp=971 H23r v. 2}})</ref>
Line 71: Line 79:
Published histories of towns, counties, districts or other municipalities, and provinces often contain accounts of families. Many district, county, and town histories include sections or volumes of biographical information. These may give information on as many as half of the families in the area. A county history is also the best source of information about a county’s origin.  
Published histories of towns, counties, districts or other municipalities, and provinces often contain accounts of families. Many district, county, and town histories include sections or volumes of biographical information. These may give information on as many as half of the families in the area. A county history is also the best source of information about a county’s origin.  


The [https://www.familysearch.org/family-history-library/welcome-to-the-family-history-library Family History Library] has about 300 district histories from the Prairie Provinces and fewer township and county histories from the rest of Canada. Similar histories are often at major Canadian public and university libraries and archives.  
The [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] has about 300 district histories from the Prairie Provinces and fewer township and county histories from the rest of Canada. Similar histories are often at major Canadian public and university libraries and archives.  


Bibliographies that list histories for some provinces are in the Locality Search of the [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]] under:  
Bibliographies that list histories for some provinces are in the Locality Search of the [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]] under:  


::[PROVINCE] - BIBLIOGRAPHY  
{{Block indent|[PROVINCE] - BIBLIOGRAPHY |2}}
::[PROVINCE] - HISTORY - BIBLIOGRAPHY
{{Block indent|[PROVINCE] - HISTORY - BIBLIOGRAPHY|2}}


== Sources  ==
== Sources  ==

Latest revision as of 23:14, 19 August 2025

Nova Scotia Wiki Topics
Nova Scotia Flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Nova Scotia Background
Nova Scotia Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Brief History

  • Nova Scotia includes regions of the Mi'kmaq nation of Mi'kma'ki (mi'gama'gi).
  • The French arrived in 1604, and Catholic Mi'kmaq and Acadians formed the majority of the population for the next 150 years.
  • In 1754–63, the British deported the Acadians and recruited New England planters to resettle the colony.
  • The New England Planters were settlers from the New England colonies who responded to invitations by the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, Charles Lawrence, to settle lands left vacant by the Bay of Fundy Campaign (1755) of the Acadian Expulsion.
  • Eight thousand Planters (roughly 2000 families), largely farmers and fishermen, arrived from 1759 to 1768 to take up the offer. The farmers settled mainly on the rich farmland of the Annapolis Valley and in the southern counties of what is now New Brunswick, but was then part of Nova Scotia. Most of the fishermen went to the South Shore of Nova Scotia.
  • In 1763, most of Acadia (Cape Breton Island, St. John's Island, and New Brunswick became part of Nova Scotia.
  • After the American Revolution (1775–1783), approximately 33,000 Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia (14,000 of them in what became New Brunswick) on lands granted by the Crown as some compensation for their losses.
  • The Loyalist exodus created new communities across Nova Scotia and infused Nova Scotia with additional capital and skills. However the migration also caused political tensions between Loyalist leaders and the leaders of the existing New England Planters settlement.
  • The Loyalist influx pushed Nova Scotia's 2000 Mi'kmaq People to the margins as Loyalist land grants encroached on native lands.
  • About 3,000 Black Loyalists arrived and founded the largest free Black settlement in North America at Birchtown.
  • The British administration divided Nova Scotia and separated off Cape Breton and New Brunswick in 1784.[1]

Timeline

  • 1008-11: Thorfin Karlsefne established a settlement on the Atlantic coast.
  • 1497: Nova Scotia was rediscovered by John Cabot and claimed for England.
  • 1534: Jacques Cartier explored the northern shoreline.
  • 1604–1605: DeMonts and Champlain established a settlement at Port Royal (present-day Annapolis Royal).
  • 1621: The first attempts at British colonization were made; they failed.
  • 1629: First settlements were made by the British at Charlesfort (near Port Royal) and at Rosemar.
  • 1654: French settlements were seized by New Englanders.
  • 1670: The Treaty of Breda gave lost territory back to France.
  • 1686: Ninety French Acadian families were located at Port Royal.
  • 1690: Port Royal was captured by New Englanders.
  • 1713: Through the Treaty of Utrecht, France gave Acadia to Britain.
  • 1749: Halifax was settled by the British.
  • 1752: The first newspaper in Canada, the Halifax Gazette, was published.
  • 1755: Most French Acadians were expelled by the British. Many returned later.
  • 1758: Louisbourg was captured by the British.
  • 1763: Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island were annexed to Nova Scotia.
  • 1773: The first Scottish settlers arrived.
  • 1783: American refugees of the American Revolution, who were also known as United Empire Loyalists, came to Nova Scotia. Cape Breton and New Brunswick enjoyed separate governments.
  • 1815–1850: Some 55,000 immigrants, mostly Scottish and Irish, came to the province.
  • 1818: Dalhousie University was founded in Halifax.
  • 1820: Cape Breton was annexed to Nova Scotia.
  • 1848: Nova Scotia was the first British colony where the principle of responsible government was recognized.
  • 1867: The Province of Nova Scotia was formed, being one of the original four provinces to join the Confederation.
  • 1876: The railway from Halifax to Quebec was completed.
  • 1909: J.A.D. McCurdy was the first man to fly in Canada, taking off from Baddeck.
  • 1917: A French ship collided with a Norwegian steamer. The collision caused an explosion of TNT, explosive acid, and benzine. A large part of the northern section of Halifax was destroyed.
  • 1955: The Canso Causeway connecting Cape Breton Island to the mainland was opened.

Historical Sources

These are two of many historical sources:

  • A Short History of Canada [2]
  • The Atlantic Provinces: The Emergence of Colonial Society, 1712–1857 [3] )

The FamilySearch Library has some published national, provincial, and local histories. See the Locality Search of the FamilySearch Catalog Surname Search under:

CANADA - HISTORY [PROVINCE] - HISTORY
[PROVINCE], [COUNTY] - HISTORY
[PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [CITY] - HISTORY
[PROVINCE], [CITY] - HISTORY

Canadian Sources

Encyclopedias also include excellent articles on the history of Canada. Many books and articles on Canadian history are listed in these annotated bibliographies:

  • A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. I. Beginnings to Confederation. [4]
  • A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. II. Confederation to the Present. [5]

Local Histories

Local histories are some of the most valuable sources for family history research. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of early settlers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search.

Published histories of towns, counties, districts or other municipalities, and provinces often contain accounts of families. Many district, county, and town histories include sections or volumes of biographical information. These may give information on as many as half of the families in the area. A county history is also the best source of information about a county’s origin.

The FamilySearch Library has about 300 district histories from the Prairie Provinces and fewer township and county histories from the rest of Canada. Similar histories are often at major Canadian public and university libraries and archives.

Bibliographies that list histories for some provinces are in the Locality Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:

[PROVINCE] - BIBLIOGRAPHY
[PROVINCE] - HISTORY - BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sources

  1. ↑ "Nova Scotia", at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia, accessed 20 November 2020.
  2. ↑ Morton, Desmond. A Short History of Canada. Edmonton: Hurtig Publishers, 1983. FS Catalog book 971 H2md.)
  3. ↑ MacNutt, W. S. The Atlantic Provinces: The Emergence of Colonial Society, 1712–1857. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1965. (FS Catalog book 971.5 H2mws.)
  4. ↑ Muise, D. A., ed. A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. I. Beginnings to Confederation. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982. (FS Catalog book 971 H23r v. 1)
  5. ↑ Granatstein, J. L., and Paul Stevens, eds. A Reader's Guide to Canadian History. II. Confederation to the Present. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982. (FS Library book 971 H23r v. 2)
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