Genealogy Research

Tracing your family history can be both challenging and rewarding, and The Rooms
Provincial Archives houses many sources for your genealogy research.

Archives Reference and Access Section staff are here to help researchers both on-site at The Rooms and by distance via e-mail, phone, and mail. Staff can discuss best sources for your research, give instruction in the use of finding aids and databases, and provide information on other reference services offered at The Rooms. Researchers may also make appointments with archivists to discuss specific research requirements and interests.

Several of our main sources for family history research are outlined here.
 

Vital Statistics in Newfoundland and Labrador
Registers Of Vital Statistics (Pre-1892-3)

Before 1891, the only baptism, marriage or burial records were held by the churches. See Community Index – Registers of Vital Statistics (listed by community).
 

Vital Statistics – Newfoundland Births, Marriages and Deaths

Beginning in 1891, clergy in Newfoundland and Labrador were required to register all baptisms, marriages and burials conducted in their jurisdiction with the government.

Records of this civil registration are available on microfilm at the Archives.

Births - 1891-1899
Marriages - 1891-1922
Deaths - 1891-1949

The Rooms does not make prints of these records or issue certificates based on the records.

Certificates can be obtained from the province’s Vital Statistics Division.

These records are also available through the Family History Centres operated by the Genealogical Society of Utah.
 

Vital Statistics - All Newfoundland Births (1840 to 1915) 

No online index is available for this collection of baptism/birth records. The finding aid is only accessible by visiting the archives at The Rooms in St. John’s. The collection contains:

• photocopies of baptism/birth certificates
• sworn affidavits attesting to the age of relatives, friends, or acquaintances
• delayed registrations of birth (if a birth was not registered within one year)
• extracts by clergy from parish registers of baptisms
• lists that include more than one family member (sometimes copied from a family Bible)

Some records duplicate those in the Collection of Vital Statistics Registers or the Parish Records Collection, while other records are not found elsewhere. This is especially true where church records predating civil registration were destroyed by fire.
 

Indigenous Ancestry Research va15 C - 49.6 
Micmac Guide (Left) Jim John. Wigwam Along the Gander River

There are two ways to use the records at The Rooms to research indigenous ancestry:

1. On Baptism, Marriage, and Burial certificates, clergy sometimes (though rarely) noted if an individual was indigenous.
2. Nominal Census Records:  

• The 1921 Nominal Census asked "Are you a Micmac Indian?". Responses were not always given, but in many cases YES or NO was noted.
• The 1935 Nominal Census sometimes noted indigenous status under the heading "Nationality".
• The 1945 Nominal Census noted "Racial Origin".

If you can determine where your ancestor lived in 1921, 1935 or 1945, the appropriate census record can be checked. Please submit your request on the Request for Search (Nominal Census Records) form (PDF).

In addition to many of our other Collections, these collections will be of interest to family history researchers.

• Gertrude Crosbie Collection – Mrs. Crosbie's compilation of births, marriages and deaths from nineteenth-century newspapers, which bridge some missing gaps in church records
• Conception Bay area of Harbour Grace and Carbonear – Extracts of births, marriages and deaths from newspapers, circa 1850-1900
• Daily News Deaths – Listings of deaths from the year-end editions of the Daily News from 1913 to 1963
• Census Records – 1675-1945
• Voter's Lists – 1832-1980s
• Registry of Crown Land Grants – Crown land purchases from 1830-1930
• Probated Wills of the Supreme Court – 1825-1900
• The Plantation Books – Registers of ownership of fishing rooms for Bonavista Bay, Conception Bay and Twillingate, circa 1804-1806

A visit to The Rooms is the best way to access the records we hold. Reference Desk staff in the archives will be happy to assist you in using the inventories to locate relevant records. If you or a friend/relative cannot visit in person to search for records, The Rooms does offer a distance research service.
 

Guidelines for Genealogical Inquiries – Pre-1892

Please observe these guidelines when requesting genealogical record searches to ensure the best, most efficient service.

Currently, each individual register has to be searched page by page, entry by entry, to locate a record. Requests are processed in the order of date received. Due to the large number of requests, it may take some time but your request will be filled as soon as possible.

Be clear and concise in your request. Ask for only one record per request form. Circle whether you require the baptism, marriage or burial record of the individual.

Identify the individual you want to trace by giving this information on the Genealogical Request for Search form:

1. the FULL NAME
2. the approximate DATE or YEAR of the record you seek - a search will be conducted for that year and five years either side
3. PLACE OF RESIDENCE of the person at the time when the record would have been created
4. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION - be specific, i.e., Church of England/Anglican, Congregational, Methodist/United Church, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army

Without the place of residence and the religious denomination, we cannot complete the search.

SUBMIT your form to

Mail: The Rooms - Archives
P. O. Box 1800, Station C
St. John’s, NL  A1C 5P9
Fax: 709-757-8017

These searches apply to pre-1892 records only at the Archives.

Seeking a copy of a record from 1892-present? Please contact the province’s Vital Statistics Division:

Vital Statistics Division
Department of Government Services and Lands
Location: 149 Smallwood Drive, Mount Pearl

Via Mail:
Vital Statistics Division
Department of Government Services and Lands
P. O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL  A1B 4J6
Telephone: (709) 729-3308

Other Options for Family Research

The Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit membership organization membership that can offer assistance and advice on research.

Private researchers conduct genealogical research on Newfoundland and Labrador families for a fee. Prior to 2011, The Rooms Archives created this list of private researchers. Please note: The Rooms does not assume any responsibility for agreements or service between you and a researcher on this list.