As you do research, it helps to understand the historical events that affected your ancestors and the records made about them. Knowing about these events may also lead you to records, such as military records, that mention your ancestors.

Efficient family research requires an understanding of the historical events that affected your ancestors and the records about them. These events may also direct you to records, such as military records, that mention your ancestors.

Events in New Brunswick history that may have influenced your ancestors and the records about them include the following:

1604	Samuel de Champlain established a settlement on Ile Ste. Croix.
1610	Attempt to settle near today’s St. John.
1631	Charles de St. Etienne established the first permanent settlement at St. John. During the next 100 years, the French settled Acadia (which included New Brunswick).
1713	By the Treaty of Utrecht, France gave Acadia to Britain.
1755–1758	The French were defeated by the British. Many of them were deported, but some remained.
1762	The first British community settled at St. John.
1783	Some 12,000 refugees—United Empire Loyalist families—came to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
1783	Founding of Parr Town, later called St. Jean.
1784	New Brunswick separated from Nova Scotia.
1785	Fredericton became the capital of New Brunswick.
1800	Founding of King’s College, which now is the University of New Brunswick.
1815–1850	The arrival of many immigrants from Great Britain.
1836	The colonial legislature was given control of Crown lands.
1842	The Webster-Ashburton Treaty settled the boundary between Maine and New Brunswick.
1867	The Province of New Brunswick was formed, being one of the original four provinces to join Confederation.
1876	Railway linking St. John with Montreal and Halifax was completed.
1877	A great fire in St. John left many homeless.
1890	The Canadian Pacific Railway from Moncton to Montreal was completed.