Genealogy at the Public Archives

Family consisting of a man, woman, and six children <a href=posing for photograph in front of a house" width="743" height="350" />

The Public Archives and Records Office has a large collection of genealogical material including primary sources, finding aids, and indexes. Some of the major resources are listed below. If you are new to genealogy, Tracing Your Family History in PEI has tips to help you get started.

The Master Name Index

One of the Archives’ most popular resources, the Master Name Index is a set of alphabetical card catalogues. Entries have been compiled from cemetery transcripts, census records, extant passenger lists, marriage registers, selected newspapers, the 1880 Meacham’s Atlas, funeral home registers, and other original sources.

Births, marriages, and deaths

With no civil registry before 1906, researchers looking for early vital statistics information rely largely on existing church records. The quality varies considerably and many records have been lost over the years. Beginning in 1906, civil records for births, marriages, and deaths were collected more consistently. The following restrictions apply:

For births, marriages, and deaths still under restrictions, to request cause of death information, or to request official copies of certificates and licenses, contact Vital Statistics, 126 Douses Road, Montague, PE, C0A 1R0, (902) 838-0887 or 1-877-320-1253 (toll-free in Canada).

The Public Archives has the following sources of vital statistics information:

Vital statistics records

Church records

Most churches kept records of baptisms, marriages, and deaths. The Archives has copies of many church records on microfilm. Indexes are available for some records of the Church of Scotland, St. John's Presbyterian Church in Belfast, St. Peter's Anglican Church in Charlottetown, and St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church on Lennox Island. The type and amount of information in these records varies. Deaths were often poorly documented compared to baptisms and marriages. Marriage records, particularly those of the Catholic Church, may include parents' names. Restrictions on access vary according to the individual church. Catholic Church records after 1900 are restricted.

Cemetery transcripts

Inscriptions from existing gravestones have been indexed into the Master Name Index. Cemetery booklets are also available in the Reading Room. As well as dates of birth and death, these records may establish family relationships, indicate place of origin, or offer miscellaneous genealogical data.

Newspapers

Most PEI newspapers are available on microfilm at the Public Archives or the University of Prince Edward Island's Robertson Library. Digital copies of the Guardian newspaper (1890-1957) are searchable online through the Island Newspapers website. Notices of births, marriages, and deaths are of uneven quality depending on the date and newspaper. Some newspapers were indexed into the Master Name Index for vital statistics or other information, but the vast majority of newspapers are not indexed. It is important to have a specific date or newspaper searches can be extremely time-consuming.

Census records

Census records for PEI cover the period from 1728 to 1921, with gaps. Almost every census is missing records for some lots and the information recorded varies considerably. Starting in 1881, census records list the name, gender, and age of each person living in the household and give more detail regarding place of birth, education, occupation, and family relationships. Users can access census records up to 1911 in the Archives Reading Room. The 1841, 1881, 1891, and 1901 census returns can also be searched through the PARO Collections Database and an index to the 1911 census can be found at AutomatedGenealogy.com.

Land records and maps

Land records can establish that your ancestors were on PEI in a given year, pinpoint a location so records arranged by lot can be more easily used, and help trace the movement of your family. Land records may include the purchaser's place of origin, occupation, or spouse's name. Researchers should note that until October 1929, land could be transferred by will alone without registration of the transaction. In addition to land records, maps can be particularly useful in tracing who was on a specific piece of property at a given time.

Most of the Archives’ land-related documents date from before 1900. Post-1900 land records are found at the Registry of Deeds (Land Registry), Charlottetown Office, in the Jones Building, 11 Kent Street, Charlottetown, PE, (902) 368-4591. Some records at the Archives that may be of interest include:

Court records

The Public Archives has an extensive collection of records from various PEI courts dating from the 1790s to the 1950s. The genealogical information in some cases may be marginal, but the records can shed light on the broader circumstances of your ancestors' lives. Some records you may find useful include:

Directories

The Archives has a collection of provincial and city directories dating from 1864. Directories were published sporadically, often with approximately a ten year interval between volumes. They usually give an alphabetical listing of residents by community or location with an indication of their occupation. In the case of Charlottetown and Summerside, they may also give a listing by street address.

Genealogies and family files

The Archives has a large collection of bound genealogies and family files. The family files contain loose material including genealogical notes, pedigree charts, family group sheets, newspaper clippings, and correspondence received from multiple donors. The information has not been verified by Archives staff but the family files and bound genealogies can provide useful clues for researchers.

Community and church histories

A large part of a community's history revolves around the individuals and families who lived there. Most community histories contain sections devoted to genealogies of local families and there is always information about individuals in the community, such as the local schoolteacher, postmaster, or farmer. The church was often the centre of the social and religious life of a community, making church histories another useful resource. The Archives has many church and community histories available on site. Many of these sources are also available through the PEI Public Library Service.

Genealogy from a distance

Not able to visit the Archives in person? The following resources are available to you: