Canada, Nova Scotia Vital Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This index was created by the Nova Scotia Archives.

These records include registered births from 1864-1877 with some birth entries as early as 1810, delayed births 1836-1907, marriages 1763-1932, and deaths 1864-1877, 1908-1957.

In 1864 an attempt was made to register vital statistics in Nova Scotia. From 1867 to 1874 these records are fairly complete. In 1877 birth and death registration was discontinued and in 1908 it began again.

Nova Scotia was settled by the French in 1605. The French did not keep vital records. Instead, they recorded similar information in Catholic Church records. Very few church records of baptism, marriage, and burial for the French settlers exist before 1702. Church of England records for British settlers began in Halifax in 1749.

The Nova Scotia Vital Records article has more information on the history of these records.

Images for these records can be viewed at www.novascotiagenealogy.com.

Record Content
Birth records may contain the following information:


 * Name of child
 * Date of birth and place of child
 * Gender
 * Names of parents
 * Birthplace of parents
 * Registration date and number
 * Names of witnesses

Marriage records may contain the following information:


 * Name of groom
 * Name and maiden name of bride
 * Grooms father’s occupation
 * Bride’s father’s occupation
 * Names of parents for both bride and groom
 * Place of birth for parents
 * Place and date of marriage
 * Names of witnesses
 * Age at marriage

Death records may contain the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Date and place of burial
 * Date and place of death
 * Occupation
 * Gender
 * Cause of death
 * Date and place of birth
 * Age at death
 * Marital status
 * Name of spouse
 * Name of parents

How to Use the Record
To begin your search in the birth records, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:


 * Name of parents
 * Approximate year and place of birth

To begin your search in the marriage records, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:


 * Name of bride or groom
 * Approximate year and place of marriage
 * Names of parents for bride or groom

To begin your search in the death records, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Approximate year and place of death

Search the Collection
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at FamilySearch Search Tips.

Using the Information

 * When you have found the information that you have been looking for, search in the Nova Scotia Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records). This collection can provide you more information about your ancestors religion.
 * Search in the Nova Scotia Births and Baptisms (FamilySearch Historical Records) and Canada Nova Scotia Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records) collections to find the names of the parents, the date of baptism, and the year and place of marriage.
 * Use the age in the marriage records or death records to find an approximate birth year.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Try looking in the census records for the possible place of residence at the time of the event.
 * Search for nicknames of the ancestor (Tom, Ben, Mike etc.) this might give you a clue if you can't find their full name on the record.
 * Look in the land records, this will give you a clue on where to search for the residence at the time of event.

Related Websites

 * Canada History Links
 * Canada Historic Maps
 * Nova Scotia Genealogy

Related Wiki Articles

 * Nova Scotia
 * Nova Scotia Vital Records

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.