The following types of records are of interest to those exploring their family history in the old city of Halifax:

City Home registers 1802-1947  (series 102-33A)

Halifax’s Poor Asylum, later renamed the City Home, was a workhouse to care for the city’s unemployed, elderly, orphaned children, mental patients, and medical patients.  Registers record resident's name, age, date admitted and discharged, reason for admittance, by whom admitted, and religious affiliation, although completeness of information varied over time. Observations about the inmate are occassionally recorded. Registers are arranged in chronological order by admittance date. There are also separate registers of deaths, which record name, date, age, and cause of death.

Board of Health infectious disease cases 1895-1941 (series 102-28D)

As the body responsible for the health of the city’s residents, the Board of Health documented infectious disease cases in the City of Halifax.  Entries include patient information such as their name, street address, disease, results, fumigation, school, and general remarks. Cases are listed in chronological order.

Board of Health Physicians' death certificates 1894-1906 (series 102-28E)

Death certificates made by physicians for the city medical examiner contain the deceased’s name, date and place of death, cause of death, duration of illness, and the name of the attending physician. Most deaths were the result of an infectious disease. Certificates are arranged in chronological order.  Since physicians were required to submit death certificates to the province, these certificates should also be available through Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics.

Tuberculosis Hospital records 1926-1959 (series 102-31)

The Halifax Tuberculosis Hospital was intended to deal with the dramatic increase in TB cases after the First World War. Admittance records from 1926-1940 are in alphabetical order and list patient name, date of admittance, age, religion, birth place, friends’ addresses, date of death, and length of stay. Later admittance records are arranged chronologically by admittance date and only include patient name, date of admittance, date of release, and length of stay.

Committee of Camp Hill Cemetery records 1840-1972 (series 102-32B)

Camp Hill Cemetery in central Hlaifax replaced the older cemetery on Barrington and Spring Garden. Among records of the governing committee are cemetery lot registers, and account books with individuals’ names attributed to them.  For burial plot and burial register information contact HRM Cemetery Operations at 902-490-4883.

Fairview Cemetery records 1894-1972 (series 102-32-A4, A14)

Located in northwest Halifax Fairview Lawn Cemetery contains the graves of many victims of the Halifax Explosion, the Titanic, and the City of Halifax’s poor. The records have the burial accounts (limited year range) for those buried in the cemetery along with other miscellaneous documents.  For burial plot and burial register information contact HRM Cemetery Operations at 902-490-4883.

Halifax Police Department records 1851, 1856, 1876-1998 (series 102-16)

Police records are an exellent source of information on criminals, hoboes, and police officers. There are a variety of records, including duty books, court record books, personnel files and correspondence.   There are also photographs of police officers from training programs, sports teams, community activities, etc.
Note: many records are restricted for 90 years from date of register.

City Prison inmate registers 1854-1957 (series 102-18B)

Also known as Rockhead Prison, the City Prison records consist of inmate registries, which contain inmate name, country, crime, sentence length, religion, age, physical description, date of discharge, and other general comments.   Registry entries are arranged in chronological order by date of admittance. Some records may be restricted.

Superannuation ledgers, 1906-1954 (series 101-21B)

If you're looking for someone who worked for the City, these ledgers consist of city employee pension payment lists. The ledgers include the following types of information: employee name, date of birth, address, date entered into service, date of death or retirement, salary and position. Access is restricted for 90 years after the record was created, or 20 years after the death of the identified individual.

Oaths of Office, 1888-1994 (series 102-1F)

Oaths of office give the name and signature of officials of the City of Halifax. Early volumes include all city officials such as City Marshall, coal weighers and measurers, and board members, while later volumes are primarily Justices of the Peace, By-law Enforcement Officers, Special Constables, Police Constables and Aldermen.

Maps, plans and photos 1762-1996 (series 102-39)

The Engineering and Works Department kept thousands of maps and plans of the City of Halifax.  Beyond being a source for geographical reference, some plans show property ownership at specific dates for specific locations.  There are also architectural plans of buildings and residences.  An on-site database provides access to the plans.  A series of 6000 images taken by planners and building inspectors document buildings and streetscapes in the City, 1948-1982; photographs are arranged alphabetically by street name or geographic location

City Directories          (917.16225 H) 

Directories contain an alphabetical lists of names of all adult residents in the city, with occupations and address, a complete street guide, and a home owner’s and tenants directory. Municipal Archives has:

             McAlpine’s: 1893-1916, 1920, 1921, 1923
             Halifax and Dartmouth: 1938 - 2000

A fuller set is located at the Halifax Public Libraries.

For a fuller description of these sources, search by series title in the Archives Database.