GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - Nova Scotia Deaths

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find death information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the death section of the Nova Scotia Guided Research page.

Civil registration of deaths in Nova Scotia began in 1864 but stopped in 1876. Civil death registration began again in 1908.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1823-1905: Nova Scotia, Canada, Antigonish Catholic Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials at Ancestry ($)
 * 1864-1877, 1890-1965:  Nova Scotia, Canada, Deaths  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1864-1877: Nova Scotia Deaths at FamilySearch (images only)

Additional Records with Death Information
Substitute records can contain information about more than one event, and are used when records for an event are not available. Because the substitute records may not be created at the time of the event, it may contain incorrect information. Search for as many substitute records as possible to corroborate information found in substitute records to help improve accuracy.

Tips for finding deaths
Successfully finding death records in online databases depends on a few key points. Try the following search suggestions:
 * Spelling variations. Your ancestor's name may be misspelled. Search with spelling variations for the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Search given name. Search by given name (leave out the last name) with the approximate date of birth or death.
 * Add information. For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate birth date or parent's names if known.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Search state. Search using the state name only instead of by county.

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * 1702 Very few church records for burials for French settlers exist before 1702.
 * 1749 Church of England records for British settlers in Halifax began.
 * 1864 Civil death registration began.
 * 1876 Death registration was discontinued.
 * 1908 Province-wide civil death registration began again.