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In this Episode, Brian welcomes Craig Morrissey of More You Genealogy and The Rooms archives to explore Newfoundland genealogy. Craig details the essential resources for family history, starting with the provincial archives at The Rooms, which is named for traditional "fishing rooms." He breaks down the early European settlement, primarily driven by the cod fishery, drawing people from southeast Ireland and southwest England. He also highlights crucial records, including Colonial Office and merchant records, necessary before civil registration began in 1891–92.

The episode also covers the impact of industrial change and the significant history of out-migration to the "Boston States," offering advice on tracing ancestors through border documents and digital archives. Craig concludes with a genealogist's "Holy Grail"—the missing 1911 Census and the fire-destroyed Catholic records for Harbour Grace—and stresses the value of methodical, patient research.How We Got Here: Genealogy is hosted by family historian Brian Nash. Brian helps people not just trace their family tree, but understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make up their family's unique story.

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Brian Nash is a family historian and the host of How We Got Here: Genealogy. He focuses on helping people not just trace their family tree, but to understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make each family's story unique.

Brian began researching his own family history over 30 years ago. He proudly calls himself a "Celtic Canadian," having traced his own roots from Scotland and Ireland to their arrival in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. His ancestors’ stories are deeply woven into the fabric of Canadian history—some fled the Highland Clearances in Scotland, while others left Ireland during the Great Famine. They brought their expertise as coal miners and farmers from Scotland to Cape Breton and their mercantile and fishing skills from Ireland to the streets of Halifax.

This personal connection to the past fuels Brian's passion for helping others discover their own heritage. As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and genealogical societies in Nova Scotia, Scotland, and Prince Edward Island, Brian shares his extensive knowledge from his home base on PEI. He currently serves on the boards of the Prince Edward Island Community Museums Association and the Bedeque and Area Historical Society.

Through How We Got Here Genealogy Services, Brian guides others to connect with their own vibrant family narratives, helping them understand not just who their ancestors were, but how they lived.

About Brian Nash