Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library

Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library

Genealogy
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Genealogy

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Dr. Anne Catherine Bezanson
One of our finest exports from Pictou County

Dr. Bezanson

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Muskol was invented right here in New Glasgow

Coll - inventor of Muskol

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The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library and especially the New Glasgow branch maintain a close working relationship with the Pictou County Roots Society, which is located in this same building.

The Roots Society houses a growing collection of materials for the family researcher. The organization has transcribed local history, taken digital photographs of local cemeteries, and has a large collection of obituaries.

How we can help you locate family names, local history, obituaries and other genealogical interests:

Personal Help and Instruction

The New Glasgow branch is also able to provide research assistance and instruction.

Often what is lacking for many genealogical researchers, is instruction in accessing and using records whether they be in hard copy, microfilm, or available on the Internet.

Staff member Karen has several years experience in genealogical research, including use of several libraries and archives in Nova Scotia and Ottawa.

She is happy to assist you with your local research and can prepare you on how to properly expand your search.

Karen is available for one-on-one assistance within the branch. However, if researchers or patrons are unable to visit the library in person, please use our Ask a Librarian service. This service is free of charge except for use of photocopier and printer.

New Glasgow Library: Heritage and Genealogy Collection

The New Glasgow Library is the holder of a considerable collection of materials and hardware aimed at helping the researcher who is studying local history and/or genealogy.

We have the following:

  • Microfilm Reader / Printer / Scanner
  • Microfilm Reader
  • Microfilm collection – especially older newspapers
  • Free Internet Access and Wireless Access
  • Printers and Photocopier
Henry C. Ritchie Collection

This is a unique collection of Pictou County information in which Mr. Ritchie combined several sources including his personally compiled cemetery records collected up until the mid 1950s, early censuses, local history books, a local atlas, newspaper clippings and other materials, which produced binders of useful family information.

Further information pdf icon

Grey Box Collection

This collection contains an assortment of items pertaining to community history and / or genealogy, family trees, maps, etc.

View the Collection pdf icon

Glass Cabinet Collection

This is a book collection of historical and genealogical significance particularly as regards Pictou County and its people. It also includes many which deal with counties such as Antigonish, Inverness and others. Important indexes such as the eight volumes of The Presbyterian witness and evangelical advocate : vital statistics, 1848-1887, 1888-1908 extends to the entire province and other parts of Atlantic Canada.This collection houses many book titles of historic or genealogical interest. These must be used only in the library; however, many of these titles are available in our circulating collection.

View the CollectionGlass Cabinet Collection

Reference Collection “Genealogy”

This is another group of books which complements those in the Glass Cabinet and includes items such as the three volume Atlantic Canadians 1600-1900.

Microfilm Collection

The library has two microfilm readers, including one that has printer, reader, and scanner capabilities. The microfilm collection includes: local newspapers, census returns, vital statistics, and wills.

View the Collectionpdf icon

Digital Resources

Internet Access today is an important source of information for the researcher. PARL continues to make genealogical information available at your fingertips.

Special Collections
  • The Langille Collection donated to the library by the family of the late Carl Langille, an inveterate family history collector, and contained in twelve large binders, includes many surnames associated with the Langille family in Nova Scotia. There is no index, at this time.
  • “Pictou County Characters”, a photographic collection by the late Donald McGarva is another unique acquisition and can be viewed at the library or online.
Additional Resources
Special Affiliations

The Pictou County Roots Society and the New Glasgow Library often work together to provide help for those seeking it by combining our resources and knowledge. Monthly meetings of the Roots Society held in the Library Program Room are open to all and guest speakers on a wide range of topics have inspired and entertained many locals and visitors alike.

New Glasgow Public Library

New Glasgow Public Library is one of seven branches in our regional library system and is located beside the New Glasgow Fire Station. We offer a full range of free services and access to the resources of all Nova Scotia public libraries. The Internet is also accessible free of charge, please call for more details.

Contact Us:
182 Dalhousie Street,
P.O. Box 276,
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia,
B2H 5E3,
Canada

Telephone: (902) 752-8233
E-mail: newglasg@nsngp.library.ns.ca
Hours
Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday (Sept. to May only) 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
A 24 hour book drop is available beside the Library entrance.

Other PARL Branch Libraries

Stellarton, Westville, Trenton, Pictou, River John, and Antigonish all have local history books and other sources. Some of the libraries house special collections, such as the “Bud White Collection” at the Pictou Public Library.

View the Bud White Collectionpdf icon