Welcome to the CNSA website.

The CNSA is the association of archives in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. We promote archival excellence among institutions entrusted with the care of Nova Scotia's documentary heritage, and provide a network for co-operation, support and promotion of the use of archives.

Annual Conference AGM Documents Available Now!

2013 AGM documents are available now in preparation for the Annual Conference AGM. Please visit the conference page to view and download the 2013 Agenda, minutes from the 2012 AGM, and the 2012-2013 Annual Report, with updates from the CNSA Executive and Committees: CNSA Annual Conference 2013

Register now for the 2013 CNSA Annual Conference!

Although our early-bird deadline for registration has passed, you still have time to register! Check out our conference page to learn about the exciting sessions we have planned, and take advantage of our easy online registration and payment option!
Please visit the conference page to download the registration form, view the schedule, and register and pay online: CNSA Annual Conference 2013

Acquisition, Appraisal & Accessioning Core Curriculum workshop - register now!

Our first Core Curriculum workshop for 2013, Acquisition, Appraisal & Accessioning, will be held on May 13-14, 2013 at Nova Scotia Archives in Halifax. Registration is open now! Please follow this link to learn more about the workshop and to register: Acquisition, Appraisal & Accessioning Workshop

CNSA's blog

CNSA member news

Previous Pause Next

Anna Hamilton Memorial Award

Catherine presenting the winner of the Anna Hamilton Outstanding Volunteer Award, Susan Hill of Cumberland County Genealogical Society, with her certificate.

This year’s Anna Hamilton Memorial Award for outstanding volunteer was presented to Susan Hill of the Cumberland County Genealogical Society (CCGS). Susan is an energetic and enthusiastic volunteer who helped establish the society in 2000. She is a great role model who has volunteered for a number of projects including, but not limited to, serving on the board of the society, helping with workshops and conferences hosted by the CCGS, acquiring and accessioning archival material, preparing resource materials for researchers, and working shifts in the Cumberland County Genealogical Centre and Archives. In addition to these activities, Susan also completed the CNSA’s Core Curriculum in 2009.

Dr. Phyllis R. Blakeley Award

Peter Crowell, Argyle Township Court House and Archives, and Bill Greenlaw, NS Dept. of Communities, Culture & Heritage, being presented with their wall plaque by Catherine Arseneau, President of CNSA.

Left to right: Bill Greenlaw, Peter Crowell and Catherine Arseneau

The 2012 Phyllis R. Blakeley Award was presented to the Argyle Township Court House and Archives for their project “An Acadian Parish Reborn. Post-Deportation Argyle - First 50 Years of Catholic Parish Records 1799-1849.” This was a partnered project with the Nova Scotia Archives who provided the technical support to host the project online. The project involved the creation of a database/finding aid to improve access to Argyle’s early Catholic Parish records. Containing 4575 records, the database can be used to find the names of all Roman Catholics baptized, married, or buried in the Argyle Township between 1799 and 1849. In addition to providing an open and easily accessible search tool, the site also includes digitized copies of the original parish registers, typed transcriptions of the originals, a surname index that includes family name variations, as well as an article providing historical background and context.

CNSA at Heritage Fair 2012

Cassie Cameron receives her Award from CNSA representatives in front of her display at NS Heritage Fair 2012 held at Pier 21 Canada's Immigration Museum, Halifax, NS

From left: Cassie Cameron and Patti Bannister.

The 2012 Nova Scotia Provincial Heritage Fair was held at Pier 21 on 24 May 2012 and, for the third year, the CNSA presented a prize for the best use of primary sources for a history project. The Fair brings together students from around the province in grades 4 to 9. This year’s recipient was Cassie Cameron for her project “My ‘Unwritten’ Hero” which focused on the experiences of her great-grandfather, John Andrew McGee, during World War II. To complete her project Cassie used a number of sources including an unpublished manuscript, original family photographs and newspaper clippings, as well as an interview she conducted and filmed with her great-grandfather.

Council of Nova Scotia Archives