Archives and Research
Want to know more about the history of our Archdiocese? Recently, the Archives and Research page was updated. Scroll down near the bottom of the page to find a helpful infographic which illustrates who was at the head of our Archdiocese at different times, during our history. It illustrates our history from 1818, with the appointment of the Right Rev. Edmund Burke as our Vicar Apostolic, to our present Archbishop, Brian J. Dunn.
December 6 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Halifax Explosion. To honour and remember this tragic event in Halifax’s history, Archbishop Anthony Mancini will offer a Memorial Mass at 12:15pm at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica. All are invited to this Mass of Remembrance.
Next week Halifax commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Halifax Explosion on December 6. The Catholic community in Halifax in 1917 was among the many groups deeply affected by this great tragedy. In the Archdiocese we are honouring those lost in the Halifax Explosion and recalling the devastation of that day in a variety of ways.
HAYES, Most Reverend James Martin, Archbishop Emeritus of Halifax, died on August 2nd, 2016 in the Halifax Infirmary at the age of 92.
Born in Halifax in 1924, the eldest son of the late Leonard James and Rita (Bates) Hayes, he received his education at St. Thomas Aquinas School, St. Mary’s High School, St. Mary’s College, and in 1943 entered Holy Heart Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop McNally on June 15, 1947.
Father Hayes’ first pastoral assignment was as a curate at St. Mary’s Cathedral. It was at this time that he became a regular visitor at the hospitals, bringing the sacraments to those who were ill and accompanying them and their families with prayer.
Archive Sources
Contact the Atlantic School of Theology Library, 660 Francklyn St., Halifax,NS, B3H 3B5, (902) 423-7986, www.astheology.ns.ca/library/index.html
However, sacramental records on microfilm are available for public access through various institutions.
- For the former Archdiocese of Halifax, Baptismal records up to and including 1915, and First Communion*see note, Confirmation, Marriage and Death records up to and including 1925 may be viewed at Nova Scotia Archives. archives.novascotia.ca
- For the former Diocese of Yarmouth, sacramental records on microfilm, with the aforementioned date restrictions, may be viewed at the Argyle Township Court house Archives. www.argylecourthouse.com/content/yarmouth-county-catholic-church-records-on-microfilm/
- For sacramental records of the Diocese of Antigonish (including Antigonish, Guysborough, Pictou and Cape Breton Island) contact the Diocese of Antigonish, Chancery Office, 168 Hawthorne St., Antigonish, N.S., B2G 2L7. Phone (902) 863-3335 email:
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*NB: Parishes are not required, by Canon law, to keep detailed records of First Communion. As such, many parishes do not.
The Halifax Regional Library has a collection of published materials on Halifax and surrounding communities, including historical street names, place names, and older newspapers. The downtown branch of the Halifax Regional Library is at: 5440 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax, NS, B3J 1E9, (902) 490-5710, www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca
Sorry, we do not have access to the records of the Home of the Guardian Angel.
Research will be subject to a $50/hr research fee. This fee applies to the time spent searching for documents and records, and is billable, even if the records are not found, or do not prove to be useful. The first $50 is payable before the research begins. The Archdiocese of Halifax reserves the right to refuse a research request. Records deemed closed to the public will not be made available to researchers.
- Researchers must sign in when they arrive.
- Researchers are NOT permitted, under any circumstances, to enter the archives vault.
- Researchers will work with the Archivist to determine what records or type of records would be useful, and the archivist will bring the documents up from the vault to be viewed.
- Researchers will be closely supervised.
- NO FOOD OR DRINK is permitted in the research area.
- PENCIL ONLY may be used for note taking.
- NO MARKS OF ANY KIND may be made on the archival documents. This precludes also the use of “sticky notes.”
- Material must be handled as little as possible and with great care. You may be required to wear vinyl or cotton gloves.
- The researcher will be responsible for restoration costs associated with damage to archival material inflicted during research, whether intentional or not.
- Do no lean on archival files or volumes, or place paper on documents while taking notes.
- Do not place anything on top of archival material.
- Do not rearrange or disturb in any way the order of archival material.
- Researchers may not make photocopies. Digital photographs may be taken, WITHOUT FLASH. The Archivist or Archival Assistant will make photocopies for researchers if it is possible to do so without damage to the material.
- No archival material may be removed from the building.
Updated March, 2017
Access to archival records may be provided for:
- parishioners conducting official parish business;
- members of religious communities conducting research for their community.
Access for other reasons will be considered on a case by case basis, and may be subject to a $50/hour research fee. This fee will apply to research time, whether or not the sought after information is located, or proves useful to the researcher.
Requests for access must be made in writing (email or regular mail) to:
Catholic Diocesan Centre
1559 Brunswick St., Suite 101
Halifax, NS B3J 2G1
Attn: Archives
By email:
Include your name and credentials, your contact information, the goal of your research, and the date/time you would like to visit. Once approved, an archivist will contact you to discuss your research needs. Access is by appointment only, at least 3 weeks in advance. Research advice is not available on site. Visits will be monitored. Confidentiality of third parties will be respected and may limit access to some records.
If you are uncertain as to where the sacrament may have taken place, please contact the archives office for assistance.
Please note that Parents or legal guardians may obtain sacramental records for their children if they are under the age of 18. The sacramental records of adults 18 and over must be requested by the person(s) named in the record. The record cannot be released to a Third Party, unless written proof of power of attorney is presented.
The Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth Archives holds very limited records from these two institutions. Due to the confidential nature of these records, access to the public is not permitted. The research requests of direct descendants of former residents will be considered on a case by case basis, by written request, and may be subject to a $50/hr research fee.
100th Anniversary of the Halifax Explosion
St. Peter's/St. Mary's Burial Registers 1784-1842
St. Mary's, Sept 8, 1840
(showing cemetery walls)
In May of 2012, the transcription of St. Peter’s/St. Mary's Church Cemetery burial records from 1784 to 1842 came to a conclusion. St. Peter’s/St. Mary's Cemetery was located on the corner of Spring Garden Road and Grafton Street, including what is now St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica and the former St. Mary’s Girls’ School on Grafton (1893 – 1975). This initiative to produce a readable, searchable database, was completed through the efforts of Dr. Gordon Pollock, PhD, and Mrs. Sharon Riel (Archivist with the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth). Read more
The Burial Registers of St. Peter’s/St. Mary’s: Prologue
St. Peter's/St. Mary's Burial Registers - Chronological
St. Peter's/St. Mary's Burial Registers - Aphabetical
Archives Contact
Sharon Riel
Archivist - Halifax Office
Archdiocese of Halifax - Yarmouth
P.O. Box 1527
Halifax, NS B3J 2Y3
(902) 429-9800 ext 314