Canada, Nova Scotia Delayed Births - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection includes records from 1837-1904.

These records include delayed birth registrations from the Archives of Nova Scotia in Halifax. If a birth isn't registered with Vital Registration within the one year, a special type of birth certificate is placed on file. This type of certificate not only shows the facts of birth for the child but also shows the types of evidence presented to Vital Registration to back up the facts of birth.

Certificates are not always in chronological order. There are often miscellaneous certificates with varying dates at the end of a volume.

Delayed birth registrations began to be kept in 1876. They are housed at the Nova Scotia Archives.

Record Content
Delayed birth records may contain the following information:
 * The full name of the person at the time of birth
 * Date of birth
 * Place of birth (city and state)
 * Mother's full maiden name
 * Mother's place of birth (at least state or country)
 * Full name of the father
 * Father's place of birth (at least state or country)

How to Use the Record
This section provides information on how to search the collection, what to do with information once found, some tips on how to find records, and what to do if no record is found.

As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as:


 * Given name and surname of child
 * Estimated birth year
 * Parents’ names
 * Birthplace

Search the Collection
To search by index: Fill in the requested information on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals 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 compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

To browse by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the "Year” category which takes you to the images

Search the collection by image 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.

Using the Information

 * Use the parents’ names to find siblings’ records in surrounding years.
 * Use the parents’ marriage date and location to locate their marriage certificate.
 * Use the residence to find census records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * 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.
 * Occupation may be a clue to the family’s social status within the community.
 * Occupation may be a clue to family mobility. For example: A laborer will move around more than a landowner.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been born in the area.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.
 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. In addition local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.

Related Websites

 * Nova Scotia Vital Statistics
 * Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management
 * Access Nova Scotia
 * Nova Scotia Genealogy Network Association
 * Nova Scotia Archives

Related Wiki Articles

 * Nova Scotia Births and Baptisms (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Nova Scotia Vital Records
 * Nova Scotia
 * Canada Births and Baptisms (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Citations for 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.

Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):

Image Citation: