Nova Scotia's Historical Vital Statistics Now Available Online

Anyone interested in researching family history in Nova Scotia will soon be able to use the Internet to access historical vital statistics.

Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Len Goucher announced today, March 16, the launch of a new website that contains a database of one million historical birth, marriage and death registrations in Nova Scotia dating back to 1864.

"Learning more about our past enriches our lives, our families and our communities," said Mr. Goucher. "This new resource will provide us with instant access to our ancestry and heritage and enable us to share it with others."

The new website, developed in partnership with Unisys Canada Inc., is the latest innovative product from Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management. Starting Monday, March 19, visitors to www.novascotiagenealogy.com can view high-quality digitized images of original records online by simply entering a person's name. They can even order electronic files or paper copies of these records online.

"This is among the first and largest projects of its kind in Canada and will be of immense value to genealogists," said Provincial Archivist Brian Speirs. "It is the culmination of more than three years of work involving numerous partners and stakeholders within and outside government."

It began with the transfer of historical records from Nova Scotia Vital Statistics to Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management in 2004. This is a process that will continue at a rate of approximately 12,000 additional records annually.

"Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations is pleased to partner with Tourism, Culture and Heritage to improve electronic service delivery," said Liz Crowley Meagher, deputy registrar general, Vital Statistics. "Nova Scotians want to do business with government online and on their own time, so providing accessible services like this to communities across the province is a priority."

Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management acquires, preserves and makes available the province's documentary heritage.