Some genealogists search for ancestors who were royal. Others boast about their ancestor who sailed on the Mayflower.
In Canada, genealogists often pore over records, hoping to find ancestors who were Indigenous, early European settlers in New France, Filles du roi, or Loyalists.
The United Empire Loyalists (UEL) were those who had settled in the thirteen colonies at the outbreak of the American Revolution, remained loyal to the king, and settled in what is now Canada at the end of the war.
According to the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada, one in ten Canadians may be descended from a Loyalist.
Brian McConnell’s new book, Loyalist History of Nova Scotia, won’t help anyone discover if their ancestor was a Loyalist, but it may interest those who know their ancestors were Loyalists who settled in Nova Scotia.
In fact, more Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia than elsewhere in Canada — about 30,000, including more than 3,000 Black Loyalists.
Mr. McConnell’s book includes descriptions and photographs of buildings, cairns, cemeteries, churches, gravestones, monuments, and forts connected to the United Empire Loyalists.
For several years, the author, who is a direct descendant of a Loyalist soldier, explored sites in Nova Scotia related to the settlement of Loyalists and he took thousands of photos. His book features information he gathered, along with some of his photos.
Published by the author, the 71-page paperback book is available to purchase on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.
