Research Resources

Are you looking for:

Genealogy information on one of the 1754 settler families of Mahone Bay? – Click Here
Information on a house in the area? – Click here
Ships built in Mahone Bay Area – Click Here
Mahone Bay area history books – Click here

Want to submit a research request by donation?
Complete an online form here: https://mahonebaymuseum.com/research/request-research-aid/

RESEARCH TIPS
Here are answers to common research questions we are asked!

1. How can I find out where my ancestors are buried?

  • Bayview Cemetery map – an interactive and searchable map of Bayview Cemetery in Mahone Bay https://bit.ly/3xFTKSI Please note, if the search function is not working, contact the Town of Mahone Bay
  • Our Google Sheet listing of the burials in Bayview Cemetery:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12TZIc7p7pAUeysWVCR3JYunAGD98PNKd1ARr_2dRe64/edit?usp=sharingThis cemetery list was compiled to allow easier research on the stones in The Bayview Cemetery. Much of the information, such as birth and death dates, family relations, and maiden names, has been confirmed using publicly accessible information via the Nova Scotia Vital Statistics website, which holds archival birth, marriage, and death records, as well as public census records via the Government of Canada website.  Some of the list’s information may not match its respective physical stone. It is possible the gravestones had inaccurate information due to a lack of easy correspondence between the family members commissioning them and the stone makers crafting them, who often lived upwards of 50 km away from each other. 

    This list is intended to be used with The Bayview Cemetery’s map website. We encourage you to search any names or dates you know of for the family member you are searching for on our list and use the grave plot number provided to locate the gravestone by searching the plot number on the map website. For Example: If you are searching for Letitia Ernst, you will press CMMD+F to bring up a search bar and then enter either “Letitia” or “Ernst,” which will direct you to the third row with the grave plot number “A002.” If multiple people are on the list with the information you searched, you can explore the different matches using the arrows next to the search bar and locate the gravesite number as usual.

    Once you have found the grave plot number of the person you are looking for, you can enter that into the search bar on the Bayview Cemetery Map website, which will bring you to the grave’s location. You can then click on the grave, click on the name(s), and click on the attachments to see a picture of the grave.

  • Find a Grave – worldwide searchable burial locations, often with obituaries, gravestone photos, and other information included https://www.findagrave.com/ 
  • Lunenburg County Burial Index – index of burials in Lunenburg County cemeteries; also available for download https://bit.ly/3xzYoS8 
  • The museum also has physical copies of Cemetery inscriptions for Lunenburg and Queens counties published by the South Shore Genealogical Society. These are available for viewing in the Museum.

2. Where can I find genealogical information about my family?

3. Where can I find more information on the Foreign Protestants?

5. Where can I find information on the Mi’kmaq?

6. How do I make a family tree?

7. How can I find out where my ancestors lived?

8. Where can I find military information about my ancestors?

The museum also has copies of many books to aid in your local history and genealogical research! A full list of books in our possession can be found here https://mahonebaymuseum.com/collections/reference-library/

The museum has a research room that is usually available to all visitors during our open hours. Due to Covid, staff will now bring books and files downstairs to you by request.  The research room contains a small reference library with books available for visitor use on site.

Need research aid? To submit a research request to the museum, please visit: https://mahonebaymuseum.com/research/request-research-aid/
We will do our best to reply to your research requests in a timely manner. Please be advised that the museum operates seasonally and research requests submitted during the winter months may not receive a response until the spring. We thank you for your patience and interest in local history!

Here are some links you may find useful:

Archives Canada
http://www.archivescanada.ca/
Canadian Archival Information Network. Your gateway to Canada’s past.

Association of Nova Scotia Museums
http://www.ansm.ns.ca/
Formerly the Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage. The Association of Nova Scotia Museums, using a consultative regional representative model, proactively champions museums through education, outreach, networking and advocacy to achieve excellence.

C.H.I.N. (Canadian Heritage Information Network)
http://www.chin.gc.ca
C.H.I.N.’s virtual exhibit, “Germany-Canada Migration,” will be of particular interest to those who want to learn about the settlement of Lunenburg County.

Council of Nova Scotia Archives
http://www.councilofnsarchives.ca/

Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia
http://www.novascotiaancestors.ca/ 

Genealogy Website of Dr. Kenneth S. Paulsen
https://genealogy-paulsen.org/home/
This carefully researched site has genealogical information about many Nova Scotia families.

Halifax Municipal Archives
http://www.halifax.ca/archives/index.php

Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia
http://www.htns.ca/

Historical Vital Statistics
https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/
Search birth, marriage, and death records online.

Lloyd’s Register of Ships Online
http://www.lr.org/en/research-and-innovation/historical-information/lloyds-register-of-ships-online/ 
Access the historical Lloyd’s Register of Ships online, a wonderful resource for researchers!

MemoryNS
https://memoryns.ca/

Nova Scotia Archives
http://archives.novascotia.ca

Nova Scotia Museum
http://museum.gov.ns.ca/

Nova Scotia GenWeb Project – Lunenburg County
http://www.rootsweb.com/~canns/lunenburg
Ships lists of the Foreign Protestants and more!

South Shore Genealogical Society
http://www.ssgs.ca/
Tracing your roots back to Lunenburg County? Give this site a try!

Southwest Nova Scotia Genealogy Circuit
http://www.swnsroots.ca/

Other Links:

Mahone Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
http://www.mahonebay.com
Learn more about our beautiful town.Town of Mahone Bay
http://www.townofmahonebay.ca
The Town of Mahone Bay website. There’s lots going on in this small town! Residents and visitors alike are delighted with the variety of ways to play, work, exercise, learn and have fun in Mahone Bay.