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McNabs Island Genealogies
Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Genealogical Database Example

main image

This genealogy website exhibits genealogical research of European settlers of McNabs Island, beginning with Peter McNab and his wife Susannah Kuhn. Note that this research took place in 2020/21 and due to pandemic restrictions, onsite archival research was not possible. In many cases, copies/scans of documents held in the Archives were shared with us. Start your search with a surname, such as McNab or Kuhn, and you will be presented with a list of all individuals in the database with that surname. Keep following the trail to find further information. Each person has an individual record linked to their family connections. Options to download family groups and similar reports are available. Look for photos, histories, and documents that may be attached to a record.

Original painting of Peter McNab 1767-1847, courtesy of Anne Stewart. Click on image to go to entry in database.

Peter McNab Kuhn. Click on image to go to entry in database. Image courtesy of Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society .

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Who was Peter McNab?

Peter Mcnab, referred to as Peter Mcnab I in the context of family line in Halifax, purchased the island from two Cornwallis brothers in 1782 and the island is, of course, now known as McNabs island. His family history before arrival in Halifax is unproven but still being researched. Some of this process and a description of where the research is now, is provided by clicking on the McNab tartan image.

Susan McNab Howe

Catherine Susan McNab, daughter of John McNab and Eleanor Davis, was born in Newfoundland, due to her father's military post. She married Joseph Howe, a renowned figure in Nova Scotia history. Read about her experience of life as a mother and contributor to Halifax in the mid-1800s.


The Kuhn Story

Susannah Kuhn, wife of Peter McNab I and matriarch of that line of descent, was a child when she came to Nova Scotia as part of the Foreign Protestant Immigration scheme. There were several Kuhn families, some of whom were Swiss Germans like Susannah's family. They arrived in Halifax in 1750 on the Ann from Rotterdam. Halifax had only been founded the previous year.


A Successful Author in the Family

Edith Lyttleton was the ggg grandaughter of Peter McNab and Susannah Kuhn. Her father was born in Halifax, NS but emigrated to Tasmania, and then to New Zealand. Edith became a writer under the alias G.B.Lancaster and wrote Grand Parade, a fictional account of a Scottish "laird" who made his way to Halifax, and lived on an island in the harbour. Sound familiar?

View of McNabs from Brow Hill, by W.L.Lyttleton

Courtesy N.S. Archives. Click on image to see Lyttleton's genealogy record.

ABOUT THIS WEBSITE

The Friends of McNabs Island Society, a registered charity based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, established this genealogical website partly in response to the growing interest in family history research and enquiries arising from that interest. Volunteers with professional genealogical experience have undertaken the research and validated existing family history. To the degree possible, the research follows accepted standards of genealogical research, with appropriate evidence and source citations. This means finding original evidence when available and when it Is not, that reasonable exhaustive research makes a case for the information. There are two phases to the project. Phase I is the genealogy of Peter McNab I and his wife Susannah Kuhn, and families that their ancestors and descendants married into. Phase II will focus on the many early European settlers who lived on the island. Please note that this research will be ongoing. For historical and current information on McNabs Island itself, go to mcnabsisland.ca, the website of The Friends of McNabs Island Society.

HAVE A SUGGESTION OR QUERY?

Perhaps you have a question about something in the genealogy database. You may think there is an error or omission. We welcome all feedback and will validate your information. If you have proof of evidence please do provide with your query. Please note that information in a personal family tree WITHOUT ANY SOURCES, is not evidence but can be considered as a clue for further research. Contact us at info@mcnabsislandgenealogy.ca.

If you are using the information in our database, please consider supporting the Friends of McNabs Island Society, by becoming a member and making a donation. We are a registered charity dedicated to the preservation and protection of McNabs and Lawlor Islands located in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada. All donations are tax-deductible.

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Genealogical Research Policy

Several factors determine this research: 1.All information is cited/sourced. 2.When no evidence is found to support data, it will not be entered in the database. 3. In some cases, a note is attached to an individual record referring to data not entered. 4. For early ancestors, official records may not be available and if other information exists in multiple sources, can be entered in database. 5. Living people are entered into the database but will not be visible to the public for privacy reasons. 6. This is a dynamic database, that is, as new information is found or confirmed, the database will be updated.


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Maintained by Friends of McNabs Island Society.