Throughout its history, Nova Scotia has been called home by many: from early native inhabitants and European explorers, to families escaping turmoil in the United States and immigrants arriving in the New World. As a result, there are now an estimated 25 million people in North America who can claim a family connection to the province. If you’re one of them, you’ll find a Nova Scotia genealogy vacation a great way to discover your family’s roots.
The best way to begin exploring your Nova Scotian connections is by visiting Routes to Your Roots. This free online tool has been built around a database containing 50,000 unique family names in Nova Scotia, dating going back 200 years. Simply input a surname into the search box and you’ll discover where people with matching family names have lived in the province. Provincial archives, museums, libraries and historical societies appearing on the map will help you on your genealogical journey as well as providing information on places to stay, nearby attractions, upcoming events and much more.
There are a number of Nova Scotia genealogy-related events that provide opportunities for you to learn more about your family’s past, embrace your culture and possibly discover living relatives you might never have known you had. In 2011, a number of events will celebrate the province’s founding Black, Acadian, Aboriginal and Celtic cultures.
Find others who share your Scottish surname at the 9th International Gathering of the Clans in Halifax or during the 148th Annual Antigonish Highland Games – the oldest continuous highland games in North America, held each July in Antigonish.
Celebrate your family’s French heritage in the heart of Acadia during Festival acadien international de Par-en-Bas and Festival acadien de Clare on the Yarmouth and Acadian Shore or venture up to Chéticamp on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton for Festival de l'Escaouette.
Come together with generations of Black Nova Scotians to celebrate the International Year for People of African Descent during the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference being held in Halifax in September 2011. Be sure not to miss the Africville Annual Picnic and Reunion in Halifax in July and the Birchtown Cultural Days taking place September 30 - October 2 in Birchtown.
Honour your ancestors and your proud Mi’kmaq heritage during the many Treaty Day events that take place each October during Mi'kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia and on National Aboriginal Day, June 21. Don’t miss out on events such as Metis and Heritage: Follow the Mi'kmaq Trails in West Pubnico and the Kepabskitk Gathering in Liverpool. Be sure to join the community of Millbrook First Nation for drumming, dancing, food and crafts celebrating the Mi'kmaq during the Millbrook Pow wow in August.