Acadians

Officer of the Régiment des Volontaires royaux, Louisbourg, 1758. Library and Archives Canada, C-012427.

The term "Acadians" refers to immigrants from France in the early 1600s who settled in the colony of Acadia, in what are now the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Research at Library and Archives Canada

Gaudet's Notes (MG 30 C20), the bulk of which are in the possession of Library and Archives Canada, constitute the main source for Acadian genealogical research. They were compiled by Placide Gaudet from various documents, not all of which are held by Library and Archives Canada.

Although a most helpful source, the Notes must not be considered in any way as official records. The information given generally consists of dates and places of birth, marriage and death. The Notes are arranged in approximate alphabetical order and are available on microfilm reels C-2238 to C-2241.

Library and Archives Canada also holds microfilm copies of some Acadian Parish Registers.

Research in Published Sources

Consult our Bibliography for further information on this topic.

You can search for books on Acadians in AMICUS, using authors, titles or subject terms such as:

• Acadia genealogy;
• Acadians genealogies;
• Acadians history; and
• Acadians biography.

Research in Other Institutions

The Centre d'études acadiennes [www.umoncton.ca/etudeacadiennes/centre/cea.html] holds the most comprehensive collection of Acadian sources.

Research Online

Use AVITUS to find other Web sites about Acadians.