Canada, Nova Scotia, Halifax County Deed Indexes - FamilySearch Historical Records

Canada Nova Scotia

What is in this Collection?
This collection contains indexes to deeds, wills, and other court files from 1749 -1958.

The Public Archives of Nova Scotia has an alphabetical file of draft land grants and petitions for land. This file covers the years from 1763 onward. There are indexes for 1784–1877. Petitions often mention a petitioner's name, country of origin, date of arrival in Nova Scotia, and other information.

What Can this Collection Tell Me?
Deed records usually contain the following information:


 * Name of the Grantee
 * Name of the Grantor
 * Year land was granted
 * Occupation
 * Book and page number where the deed is located
 * Location of purchase

How Do I Search the Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor.
 * The approximate year land was purchased.
 * The location of the land.
 * The names of other family members or associates named in the land transaction.

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page: To search this collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse Images" on the initial search page ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Type, Years, Alphabet Range" which will take you to the images.

Look at the images one by one, comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. 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.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s land record index, carefully evaluate each piece of information about them. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * This collection is just an index to the actual records. You will want to read the actual land deed that the indexed entry refers to. Find out which microfilm you'll need to look at here. Then you can order a copy of the microfilm to be sent your nearest Family History Center or visit the Family History Library for to view the microfilm.
 * Analyze the information found in the land record. Don't forget to keep track of other names and dates mentioned in the land deed, especially if they are of any relation.
 * You can also learn how to plat the land your ancestor owned to get an idea of how big it was or its shape.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?

 * Don't forget to try variations on the spelling of the names, as they could have been spelled differently.

Citing This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

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