People of Dutch descent may want to consider visiting Prince Edward Island’s Public Archives and Records Office, with genealogical files dating back to 1881 and earlier. In that year’s census, it was reported that 292 people of Dutch descent lived in the colony, with many of them being United Empire Loyalists. Others came from England, Ireland, France, Scotland, China, Syria and Lebanon in those early years. By the end of the century, a number of immigrants had left for California and the New England states. Search for any possible genealogical roots of your family at the office in the capital city of Charlottetown.
The office is located along Queens Square, a historic area with a number of heritage buildings. The stone-constructed Province House is where founding talks were held in 1864 to form the large Canadian nation. Somewhat ironically, Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province. Tour the national historic site in the Neoclassical-style building, which also houses the province’s legislature.
Queens Square is adjacent to the Great George Street Historic District, which has lovely inns and homes. The district extends down to the waterfront where the Fathers of Confederation first arrived to begin the process of creating a nation. Observe the blend of building styles that dominate the area, overshadowed by the Gothic Revival architecture of St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Basilica Cathedral and St. James Presbyterian Church.
Nearby is the impressive white wooden-shingled Government House, which serves as the residence for the lieutenant governor, the queen’s representative in the province. View Fanningbank, the official name of the Georgian-style building, which was built in 1834 and is 13 years older than Province House.
Find the Public Archives and Records Office in central Charlottetown’s Queens Square. Fly into the city’s airport from other Canadian cities or drive from the mainland across the lengthy Confederation Bridge from neighboring New Brunswick. A ferry ride to the island from Nova Scotia is also available.
