Canada, New Brunswick, County Deed Registry Books - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes deed records from 1780 to 1930. Most land records began in the late 1700s. They include land petitions, fiats and warrants, land grants and patents, and deeds. The federal homestead era in the Prairie Provinces lasted almost 60 years (1872 to 1930). Homestead record files cover those years. This record includes images of indexes and deed records books for the province of New Brunswick.

Many people in Canada owned land, and a very high percentage of the population is named in land records. The availability of land attracted many immigrants to Canada and encouraged westward expansion. Land ownership was generally recorded in an area as soon as settlers began to arrive. These were often the first records available in an area. Although they may not be as easy to use, land records may give pedigree information for earlier times when other records were not kept.

The land record collection of the Provincial Archives contains microfilms and originals of many land transactions. Records include land petitions and old land deeds, primarily between 1784 and about 1850.

Land deeds are especially useful in finding family members. Some land deeds may even mention a relationship (such as 'mother' or 'brother-in-law') which can help you to locate missing family members. Additionally, land deed provide insight to where your ancestor lived, who his or her neighbors were, how much they paid for the land, or who they may have inherited the land from.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Name of land purchaser and buyer
 * Date of transaction
 * Legal description of the property
 * Details of the transaction
 * Names of witnesses

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The name of a relative or date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This can help you find possible relatives
 * Search the records of nearby areas
 * Check for other names. An individual might appear under an unexpected name for a variety of reasons:
 * They might have been listed under a middle name, nickname, or abbreviation of their given name
 * A woman may have returned to her maiden name after the death of her husband

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in New Brunswick.
 * New Brunswick Record Finder

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Fredericton. Index to land grants, 1765-1900, New Brunswick
 * Albert County, deed registry books, 1846-1932; index, 1846-1990
 * Carleton County, deed registry books, 1832-1921; index, 1832-1990
 * Charlotte County, deed registry books, 1784-1933; index, 1784-1980
 * Gloucester County, deed registry books, 1827-1930; index, 1827-1989
 * Kent County, deed registry books, 1827-1941, index, 1827-1991
 * Kings County, deed registry books, 1785-1920; index, 1785-1992
 * Madawaska County, deed registry books, 1850-1930; index, 1850-1990
 * Northumberland County, deed registry books, 1787-1920; index, 1787-1992
 * Queens County, deed registry books, 1786-1919; index, 1786-1993
 * Restigouche County, deed registry books, 1838-1929; index, 1838-1987
 * Saint John County, deed registry books, 1783-1929; index, 1784-1992
 * Sunbury County, deed registry books, 1785-1931; index, 1785-1991, 1993
 * Victoria County, deed registry books, 1848-1924; index, 1850-1989
 * Westmorland County, deed registry books, 1785-1919; index, 1785-1990
 * York County, deed registry books, 1785-1935; index, 1786-1991
 * Generations (New Brunswick Genealogical Society)Fredericton, New Brunswick : New Brunswick Genealogical Society. Southeastern Branch, 1983- FHL 971.5 D25g
 * edited by Terrence M. Punch with George F. Sanborn, Jr., Genealogist's handbook for Atlantic Canada research 2nd ed. Boston, Massachusetts : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1997, c1989 FHL 971.5 D27pt 1997

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.