Canada, Nova Scotia Vital Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
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. Images for these records are on the Nova Scotia Genealogy website. In 1864, an attempt was made to register vital statistics in Nova Scotia. These records are fairly complete from 1867 to 1874. In 1877, birth and death registration was discontinued, but it began again in 1908.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Birth
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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 Do I Search This Collection?
You can search the index or view the images or both. To begin your search 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?

 * Cite the record. See below for help citing this collection
 * Look at an image of the original record. The original may contain information that was not recorded in the index. To find a copy of the original record, visit the Nova Scotia Archives page
 * Use the information you have found to find the person in census records

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

 * Consult the Nova Scotia Record Finder to find other records
 * 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 in your research for your family in Nova Scotia.
 * Nova Scotia Guided Research
 * Record Finder

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.