Genealogy Research Assistance & Resources
The Eastern Shore Archives has many resources that can aid you in your search for your Eastern Shore roots. However, many researchers will find it very helpful to search Historical Vital Statistics through the online service at the Nova Scotia Archives
The Robert Kim Stevens Collection
Eastern Shore Families
A 14 Book Series of Eastern Shore Genealogies
Robert Kim Stevens began researching Eastern Shore families in the early 1970s. He authored a 14 book series of Eastern Shore Genealogies organized by community which he donated to the Eastern Shore Archives in 2005. These books are an excellent start for the genealogist, primarily for information on the founding families and their early ancestors.
The working files of Robert Kim Stevens can be found in the Eastern Shore Archives. These files contains a variety of documents and correspondence arranged in over 245 family folders from Abriel to Zong. The collection also contains over 200 books and periodicals on genealogy and local history. To find out more about this collection, view the description on MemoryNS.
The books are available in digital form, or can be mail ordered through our online shop. All sales of books assist with the upkeep of the Eastern Shore Archives
Family Files & Self Published Genealogies
The Archives is continually adding to its collection of family vertical files, as well as self-published and working files from family history researchers. Donations of self-published works are welcome.
The Place: Life on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia in the 1920s-30s
In addition to acquiring self-published genealogies and memoirs, the archives is also committed to publishing materials related to the history of the area. Check out our first publication, a memoir by Robert Milton Ritcey.
Obituaries
The archives has an extensive collection of obituaries. Some are contained in vertical family files while many more are in a variety of donated scrapbooks. The majority of our scrapbooks are indexed, so if you are looking for an obituary, please get in touch.
Eastern Shore School Attendance Registers
Original attendance registers with a variety of date ranges (1891–1987) are housed in our archives. Records are not fully complete and some viewing / copying restrictions apply.
To see a current list of attendance registers head to MemoryNS or contact us directly with the school you are looking for.
Church Records
Microfilm and photocopies of births, deaths, marriages and baptisms from most of the Anglican churches serving the Eastern Shore, including Dartmouth Christ Church, Holy Trinity (Tangier), Ship Harbour Parish, St James’, St. John’s, St. Genevieve’s, St. George’s, St. Paul’s, St. Stephen’s. The Centre also has copies of Catholic records from St. Peter’s & Presbyterian records from Reverend James Rosborough. Copy restrictions may apply.
Cemetery Listings
Transcriptions of many cemeteries are on file as well as tombstone photographs of many local cemeteries. We can also direct visitors to the locations of present and pioneer cemeteries. Consider searching Find A Grave for grave markers.