Add YOUR Family To This Page
History of New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Journey back in time to New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada
(Barrachois)
Explore New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have New Waterford Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

New Waterford, NS, Urban Community, is located 23 km north-northeast of Sydney in the industrial Cape Breton region. Incorporated as a town in 1913, in 1995 New Waterford was amalgamated into the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. New Waterford is a coal-mining settlement fallen on hard times.
Formerly known as Barrachois (from barachois, meaning small port, lagoon or pond), its present name is likely derived from the Irish seaport and shire town of Waterford, from which many early settlers came. Coal mining in the vicinity began as early as 1854 at Lingan and later at Low Point in 1865. The giant Dominion Coal Company (later Dominion Steel and Coal Company) commenced operation at Barrachois in 1907; several other large mines opened before World War I. Over the years a total of 11 mines were in production. This expansion drew a largely Catholic but ethnically mixed society (Irish, Scottish, English and Eastern Europeans) to the many company houses of this single-enterprise community. Coal mining has long been known as a dangerous occupation, and one particular incident in New Waterford demonstrated this fact. At 7 a.m. on 25 July 1917 there were 270 men starting work in the No. 12 colliery. Thirty minutes later, a loud explosion was heard at the sixth, seventh and eighth levels of the pit. Sixty-five men and boys, ranging in age from 14 to 65, were killed. These casualties were added to a lengthy list of mine incidents totalling in the hundreds.
www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
Explore even more about New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada. Keep reading!
Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to NEW WATERFORD

CHRISTMAS - FRENCH CANADIAN Coffee Mug – Celebrate Family, Heritage, and Holiday Cheer
Sip Christmas the way your ancestors would have loved it with this festive French-Canadian coffee mug. Featuring the elegant greeting “Joyeuses fêtes de Noël à vous et vos proches!” (Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones), it’s perfect for genealogy enthusiasts, Francophiles, and anyone who cherishes family traditions. Joyeuses fêtes de Noël – literally “Happy Christmas holidays,” which is a common way to wish someone a merry Christmas and holiday season in French. à vous et vos proches – “to you and your loved ones,” adding a friendly, inclusive touch.

CANADA - Canadian Roots Genealogy Coffee Mug - Curling and Olympics
"My ancestors came from Canada. That explains a lot about my love for curling and watching the Olympics!"

CANADA - Canadian Roots Ceramic Coffee Mug - Maple Syrup and Apologies Edition - Genealogy
Embrace your Canadian heritage with our "My ancestors came from Canada" ceramic coffee mug! Perfect for sipping your favorite brew while reflecting on your roots, this mug features a moose sampling maple syrup and a humorous caption that reads, "My ancestors came from Canada. That explains a lot about my love for maple syrup and apologizing!" Whether you're enjoying your morning coffee or unwinding with an evening tea, this mug is sure to bring a smile to your face.

NOVA SCOTIA Ancestry Mug with Attitude - Sarcasm, Chowder & Thick Socks
Celebrate your Nova Scotia roots with this fun and relatable heritage mug! Featuring the witty caption “My Ancestors Came from Nova Scotia. That explains a lot about my love for chowder, sarcasm and thick socks!”, this mug is perfect for anyone proud of their East Coast ancestry and sharp sense of humor.
Discover New Waterford: History, News, Travel, and Stories

(New Waterford) The first coal mine in the area opened in 1867, but closed seven years later.
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/
(New Waterford) The settlement was orignally called Barrachois with but a handful of homes there in 1874.
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/
(New Waterford) Dominion Coal Company began mining operations in 1907
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/
Sept. 8, 1913, New Waterford became the 40th incorporated town in North America and the sixth in Cape Breton County.
The name "New Waterford" was chosen by some of the Irish-born settlers in honor of the Irish seaport Waterford from where many of the pioneers had come.
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/nwcomndx/history/history.htm
The name "New Waterford" was chosen by some of the Irish-born settlers in honor of the Irish seaport Waterford from where many of the pioneers had come.
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/nwcomndx/history/history.htm
1917 - July 25 - Mine explosion kills 65 men.
July 25, 1917
July 25, 1917
New Waterford's Calvin United Church was one of the first in all of Canada having united the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations in 1918, seven years prior to national church union in 1925.
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/nwcomndx/history/history.htm
http://www.cbv.ns.ca/nwcomndx/history/history.htm
Here's a list of some of the top places to see and things to do in the New Waterford area:
Colliery Lands Park: Start your exploration of New Waterford at Colliery Lands Park, a beautiful green space with walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground. It's a great place to relax and take in the natural beauty of the area.
New Waterford Coal Miners Museum: Learn about the town's coal mining history at the Coal Miners Museum. This museum showcases artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that tell the story of the coal miners who played a vital role in the community's development.
Dominion Beach Provincial Park: Just a short drive from New Waterford, Dominion Beach Provincial Park is a fantastic spot for a day of sun and sand. Enjoy a swim in the Atlantic Ocean, have a beach picnic, or take a leisurely walk along the shoreline.
Cape Breton Miners' Museum: While you're exploring the region's mining heritage, make a stop at the Cape Breton Miners' Museum in nearby Glace Bay. This museum offers a comprehensive look at the history of coal mining on Cape Breton... Read MORE...
Colliery Lands Park: Start your exploration of New Waterford at Colliery Lands Park, a beautiful green space with walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground. It's a great place to relax and take in the natural beauty of the area.
New Waterford Coal Miners Museum: Learn about the town's coal mining history at the Coal Miners Museum. This museum showcases artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that tell the story of the coal miners who played a vital role in the community's development.
Dominion Beach Provincial Park: Just a short drive from New Waterford, Dominion Beach Provincial Park is a fantastic spot for a day of sun and sand. Enjoy a swim in the Atlantic Ocean, have a beach picnic, or take a leisurely walk along the shoreline.
Cape Breton Miners' Museum: While you're exploring the region's mining heritage, make a stop at the Cape Breton Miners' Museum in nearby Glace Bay. This museum offers a comprehensive look at the history of coal mining on Cape Breton... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: New Waterford Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada
We currently have information about 8 ancestors who were born or died in New Waterford.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Not the place you are looking for? Try again!
Search for YOUR Family by Place
Our Genealogy Gift Ideas
Ancestry Family Tree Search
Search for YOUR Family by Name
NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.Updated: 9/18/2023 8:29:15 PM