The Eastern Shore Archives has many resources available to researchers.
A complete list of archival holdings can be found on Memory NS. We also have an extensive reference section and many digital files.
Browse the list below to find out more about our resources and explore the links section for additional resources.
Archival Scrapbooks
The Archives holdings includes numerous scrapbook collections ranging from the early 1900s through to the 1990s. Many of these scrapbooks have been indexed. Community members have also loaned their scrapbooks to the archives for digital preservation.
Marine Historical Society Collection
The Marine Highway Historical Society was incorporated in 1972 and active until 1985. The Society had a strong membership from the Jeddore area and carried out a number of heritage preservation projects including cemetery transcriptions and transcribing of local stores.
Community Photo Collection
The Community Photo Collection began in 1995 and now consists of over 4,500 digital images belonging to Eastern Shore families who have agreed to allow their personal, historical photos to be scanned and documented by the Archives. Images from this collection appear in the annual Eastern Shore Heritage Calendar.
Historical Maps
Explore our collection of historic maps of the Eastern Shore. The selected maps included cover the area from Lawrencetown to Ecum Secum, from the 1600s to the 1950s. All map files have been provided in PDF.
Heritage Audio Visual Content
The Archives has considerable audio visual holdings that include oral histories and video documentaries. The Archives also works with Memory Lane Heritage Village to transform archival content into video vignettes that are used within the Heritage Village immersive exhibits and to engage with online visitors
Community & Surnames Vertical Files
The Archives maintains physical files on more than 290 family names from the Eastern Shore, as well as over 50 communities. These files are primarily comprised of newspaper clippings assembled by volunteers over many years. While the community files are not presently indexed, an index to the family files is available.
Online Resources
Many excellent online resources are available to further your research and knowledge of the Eastern Shore and Nova Scotia. Explore some of the more helpful links.
Nova Scotia Archives
Search Historical Vital Statistics through the online service at the Nova Scotia Archives.
Memory NS
MemoryNS provides access to archival records from institutions across Nova Scotia, and is an initiative of the Council of Nova Scotia Archives.
Mi’kmaw Place Names Digital Atlas
Mi’kmaw presence has been continuous for approximately 13,000 years, as can be seen by the place names and archaeological information presented.
Historic Nova Scotia
Geographically mapped stories and self-guided tours of Nova Scotia’s rich history.
Community Stories: Hosking General Store
Memories of Oyster Pond’s Village Store: 1891-1975 on VirtualMuseum.ca
HRM Municipal Archives
Contains descriptions of archival records, publications and artifacts held at Halifax Municipal Archives.
Michael Eisan Blog
Today, members of the extended Eisan family live in Nova Scotia and in other parts of Canada, the United States, England, Australia, and other countries. This is their story.
Place Names of Nova Scotia
Over 2400 communities appear in Place-Names, in alphabetical order and accompanied by a brief, concise entry describing community highlights.
Follow Eastern Shore Archives on Facebook
Follow us for archival content, find out what we’re working on, and help us identify old photos and track down Eastern Shore heritage information.