For North Americans seeking to trace the path that brought their ancestors to this continent, Prince Edward Island has become a veritable hub of genealogical research. In the early years of North American colonization and then immigration to the continent, the Atlantic-Canadian region was a stepping-stone for French, Irish, and Scottish colonists. Today, genealogists include Louisiana Cajuns retracing their ancestors who were expelled from the Island in 1758. Others are descended from Islanders who left the province to seek their fortunes in other regions of Canada and the United States during the early decades of this century.

Community Histories
Many communities across the Island have published history books which provide a rich and textured setting for ancestral narratives. Most volumes also contain detailed accounts of local family histories and anecdotes.

Family Histories
In small Prince Edward Island communities, family history is integral to identity. They are necessary for marriage and they are a vital statistic in hereditary disease.

Archival Resources
The Public Archives and Record Office, the Land Registry Office, Prince Edward Island Vital Statistics, the Prince Edward Island Supreme Court, and various Island museums have extensive resources to offer genealogists.

Church Records and Cemeteries
Island churches and cemeteries can be an essential stepping-stone in determining birth and death dates, spouses’ names, inscribed eulogies, and unexpected genealogical insights.