A major focus of the archives holdings are records relating to the fishery, trade and settlement of Newfoundland. Some of these records are of particular interest to people researching Newfoundland families.
Below are listed some of the record series which can be used in researching genealogy and family history. Access to the information contained in the records varies with each series. Information on how the records can be searched is included with the description of the record series. Unless otherwise stated, none of the information contained in these records is on computer. We have specified where there are name indexes to the records.
The Maritime History Archive will research the records in its custody and provide reports and/or copies of documents on request. We are not able to construct detailed family trees or determine family relationships. We require a deposit of $35.00 to initiate each inquiry which will entitle you to one hour of research. There is a charge of $35.00 for each additional hour of research. Estimates can be provided.
Schedule of fees
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Each file contains all of the information collected by Matthews on a surname. The file consists
of numerous separate pieces of information which include the surname and given name, a
reference
to the source of the information, the date, and a brief summary of the text. The following
examples
are typical of the type of information contained in the files:
Hopkins 1815, October, St. John's Anglican Parish Records, Henry and Elizabeth had
son
Joseph baptised February 16.
Pike 18463/03/03, Newfoundlander (Newspaper), J. Pike, Captain of HARP, 70
tons, 22 men, of Carbonear, sealer, was supplied by the firm of Edwards.
We will provide copies of an entire file under any surname
or given name, on request. We
can also provide an estimate of the cost of copying a file.
Student Papers
Collections of over 5,000 research papers completed by graduate and undergraduate students in
the course of their studies in Newfoundland history, geography, fisheries geography, and
Newfoundland and Labrador culture. The majority of the papers are on community and family
histories, other subjects include education, health, law, merchants, politics, religion, and the
fishery. Many of the community studies include information on early settlers and businesses. The
papers are listed by title and author and can be searched for genealogical information by
geographical area or community and/or family name.
English Parish Records Collection, 1500-1830
[microfilm] 97 reels.
The English parish records collection consists of microfilm copies of records of many parishes
in the South West of England, particularly the counties of Devon, Dorset, Somerset and
Hampshire. The collection focuses on those areas which supplied crews for the Newfoundland
fishery, and the places of origin of Newfoundland settlers. Devon parishes predominate. The
collection is indexed by parish.
Irish Parish Records Collection
1671-1900 [microfilm]
41 reels.
This collection consists of microfilm copies of many Roman Catholic parishes in the counties of
Kerry, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Donegal, as well as many Church of Ireland parishes in
counties Cork and Waterford. There are also vestry books for two parishes in County Clare:
Castletown Arra and Killahoe. The main concentration is from 1750-1880. The collection is
indexed by parish.
The researcher must provide the name of the parish and the approximate dates that they wish
to have searched.
Index to Newfoundland Captains, 1820-1889.
This index was compiled from data contained in the transcripts of the Certificates of Vessel
Registry for Newfoundland, 1820-1889. It is an alphabetical listing of all captains whose names
were entered on the certificates, with the name of the vessel served on and the date of its
registry.
Index of Newfoundland Shipowners, 1820-1940.
This is a computer generated index from the transcripts of the Certificates
of Vessel Registry for Newfoundland, 1820-1940, and consists of an alphabetical list of
persons having shares in Newfoundland vessels. Information includes the name of the vessel, its
official number, year and number of the registry, tonnage, the residence and occupation of each
shipowner.
Indexes of Shipowners of the Atlantic Provinces, 1840-1920.
From a similar data base to the above, indexes of shipowners are also available for the ports
of Halifax, Yarmouth, Windsor, Pictou, Nova Scotia; Sydney, Cape Breton; Charlottetown,
Prince Edward Island; Saint John, Miramichi, Richibucto, New Brunswick.
Lloyd's Captains Registers, 1851-1948. [microfilm] 60 reels.
Registers containing an alphabetical list of certified masters, giving place and date of birth,
the port and date of examination, the names of the ships in which he has served, whether he was
master or mate, subsequent to the examination. To search the registers we require the
approximate dates of service or the date of birth.
Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, Agreements and Account of Crew,
1863-1938, 1951-1976 [textual] 6,439 metres.
Agreements and account of crew of British Empire vessels, containing the names of officers
and seamen; their date and place of birth; the date and place of joining and leaving the vessel; the
previous vessel; wages, rank and reason for leaving the vessel; ports of call and a description of
the vessel. There is no nominal index to this series, therefore it is necessary for a researcher to
provide the name of the vessel and the approximate years of service in order to initiate research.
The agreements are indexed by vessel number.
Births, Deaths and Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers, 1825-1890 by Gert Crosbie,
(12 volumes).
This publication contains an alphabetical listing of all births, deaths and marriages recorded
in the many Newfoundland newspapers from 1825-1890. Data under a particular surname can be
provided.