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History of Canard, Nova Scotia, Canada
Journey back in time to Canard, Nova Scotia, Canada
Also known as(Riviere Aux Canards, Acadia)
Explore the history, people, photographs, newspapers, postcards, and genealogy connected to Canard, Nova Scotia, Canada.
ABOUT THE PLACE
About Canard
This area comprised of 21 hamlets and was quite extensive. There were at least three flour or lumber mills. Acadian crops consisted of wheat, corn, flax, peas, beans, cabbage, beets, onions, carrots and turnip. Up to the Deportation in 1755 livestock was in abundance consisting of cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry in the fields. Some of the families that lives here were Surette, Thibodeau, Pellerin, Theriault, Babin, Aucoin and Gaudet.
acadian-home.org
NOTE: Interesting article about old Acadian Cemeteries
www.ameriquefrancaise.org
Beginning in 1755 and lasting for several years, Acadians from Riviere Aux Canards were deported by the English. Most were sent to Virginia.
Story of Acadians, Episode 1, Shaw Community Link
acadian-home.org
NOTE: Interesting article about old Acadian Cemeteries
www.ameriquefrancaise.org
Beginning in 1755 and lasting for several years, Acadians from Riviere Aux Canards were deported by the English. Most were sent to Virginia.
Story of Acadians, Episode 1, Shaw Community Link
Source
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VINTAGE CANARD
Canard Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Canard, Nova Scotia, Canada
Wikipedia
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Riviere Aux Canards, Acadia
Genealogy gifts & optional resources
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Genealogy Gifts & Resources Related to CANARD
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.
LOCAL HISTORY
Discover Canard: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Canard through the years.
The village was established in 1670 by the name of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rivière-aux-Canards, later, it became Rivière-aux-Canards in short form.
Acadians settled along the Canard River in the late 1600s and called it Rivière-aux-Canards after the French word for duck. They first built small dykes to claim salt water marshes for farmland at the upper reaches of the river near the communities now known as Steam Mill Village and Upper Dyke. A large cross dyke was built further down river at Middle Dyke. About 1750 an even larger cross dyke, over a mile long, was built near Port Williams. Known as the Grand Dyke it located where the current highway Route 358 crosses the river. By this date, the Acadian village on both sides of the river totaled 750 people and included the extensive dykeland farms along the river as well as several mills.
Rivière-aux-Canards (now Canard) is located at the eastern end of the Annapolis Valley. Founded around 1675 by Pierre Terriot and his companions from Port-Royal, Claude Landry, Antoine Landry and René LeBlanc.
It was one of the first Acadian settlements in the Minas Basin
1701 - Census - In 1701, the following families were counted at Riviere aux Canards.
Pierre TERRIOT, his wife, 9 girls, 9 arpents, 20 cattle, 6 sheep, 12 hogs, 1 gun.
Germain TERRIOT. his wife, 5 boys, 1 girl, 20 arpents, 16 cattle, 18 sheep, 14 hogs, 1 gun.
Jean COMEAU, his wife, 6 girls, 4 arpents, 10 cattle, 8 sheep, 8 hogs, 1 gun.
Jean TERRIOT, his wife, 2 boys, 3 girls, 8 arpents, 12 cattle, 4 sheep, 10 hogs, 1 gun.
Martin AUCOIN (father), his wife, 1 boy, 10 arpents, 15 cattle, 12 sheep, 8 hogs, 1 gun.
Martin AUCOIN (son), his wife, 1 girl, 6 arpents, 8 cattle, 3 sheep, 4 hogs, 1 gun.
Rene LANDRY, his wife, 1 boy, 2 girls, 13 arpents, 12 cattle, 13 sheep, 6 hogs. 1 gun.
Germain TERRIOT. his wife, 5 boys, 1 girl, 20 arpents, 16 cattle, 18 sheep, 14 hogs, 1 gun.
Jean COMEAU, his wife, 6 girls, 4 arpents, 10 cattle, 8 sheep, 8 hogs, 1 gun.
Jean TERRIOT, his wife, 2 boys, 3 girls, 8 arpents, 12 cattle, 4 sheep, 10 hogs, 1 gun.
Martin AUCOIN (father), his wife, 1 boy, 10 arpents, 15 cattle, 12 sheep, 8 hogs, 1 gun.
Martin AUCOIN (son), his wife, 1 girl, 6 arpents, 8 cattle, 3 sheep, 4 hogs, 1 gun.
Rene LANDRY, his wife, 1 boy, 2 girls, 13 arpents, 12 cattle, 13 sheep, 6 hogs. 1 gun.
1714 - Census - The following were listed as residents of Riviere aux Canards in 1714.
Widow of Etienne HEBERT, 3 sons, 1 daughter.
Jean COMMEAU and wife, 4 sons, 6 daughters.
Claude TERRIOT and wife, 3 sons, 2 daughters.
Antoine AUCOIN and wife.
Rene AUCOIN and wife, 1 son.
Pierre BREAU and wife, 3 sons, 5 daughters.
Francois BREAU and wife, 3 sons, 3 daughters.
Jean TERRIOT, widower, 3 sons, 5 daughters.
Widow AUCOIN, 2 sons.
Pierre THIBODEAU and wife, 2 sons, 3 daughters.
Rene LANDRY and wife, 6 sons, 3 daughters.
Jean COMMEAU and wife, 4 sons, 6 daughters.
Claude TERRIOT and wife, 3 sons, 2 daughters.
Antoine AUCOIN and wife.
Rene AUCOIN and wife, 1 son.
Pierre BREAU and wife, 3 sons, 5 daughters.
Francois BREAU and wife, 3 sons, 3 daughters.
Jean TERRIOT, widower, 3 sons, 5 daughters.
Widow AUCOIN, 2 sons.
Pierre THIBODEAU and wife, 2 sons, 3 daughters.
Rene LANDRY and wife, 6 sons, 3 daughters.
1740 - Jean Baptiste Desenclaves becomes priest of St. Joseph Parish (Riviere Aux Canards)
1755 - Acadian Expulsion
The Acadian settlement was destroyed in the 1755 Bay of Fundy Campaign of the Expulsion of the Acadians. On October 27, 1755 fourteen transport ships embarked 1,600 Acadians from the region of Grand-Pré and Rivière-aux-Canards, as well as 1,300 from Pisiguit and Cobequid. Acadian families from Rivière-aux-Canards brought personal possessions to Boudreau's Bank in ox carts where they were loaded on exile ships, leaving 60 ox carts to be found at the landing by later settlers. The deportation vessels joined up with ten other ships in the Bay of Fundy with 1,900 Acadiens from the region of Beaubassin. Some of the ships were over crowded with standing room only. Governor Charles Lawrence had given the order to prevent the Acadians from returning. It was for this reason that the villages of Cobequid, Pisiguit, and Rivière-aux-Canards were burnt to the ground.
A severe storm in November 1759 broke the Acadian dykes and flooded the unoccupied farmlands.
New England Planters took up the Acadian lands in 1760. They gradually repaired and expanded the old Acadian dykes.
Today Canard consists mostly of large farms and several agricultural processing plants located between the village of Canning to the north and Starr's Point, Nova Scotia to the south.
Show more local history, news & stories
Here's a list of places to visit and things to do in and around Canard:
Grand-Pré National Historic Site: This UNESCO World Heritage Site commemorates the Acadian people and their expulsion from the area in the mid-18th century. Explore the beautiful gardens, the museum, and learn about this significant period in Canadian history.
Blomidon Provincial Park: Just a short drive from Canard, this park offers stunning views of the Bay of Fundy. Hiking trails, a campground, and a beach make it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
Wolfville: This charming town is nearby and offers a range of activities. Explore its quaint streets, visit local boutiques, and enjoy the vibrant arts and culture scene. Don't forget to check out the Wolfville Farmers' Market for fresh produce and artisanal goods.
Gaspereau Vineyards: Nova Scotia is known for its wine, and this vineyard is a great place to sample some local vintages. They offer wine tastings and tours of their picturesque vineyards.
Cape Split Hiking Trail: If you're up for a hike, Cape Split is a must....
Read more
Blomidon Provincial Park: Just a short drive from Canard, this park offers stunning views of the Bay of Fundy. Hiking trails, a campground, and a beach make it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
Wolfville: This charming town is nearby and offers a range of activities. Explore its quaint streets, visit local boutiques, and enjoy the vibrant arts and culture scene. Don't forget to check out the Wolfville Farmers' Market for fresh produce and artisanal goods.
Gaspereau Vineyards: Nova Scotia is known for its wine, and this vineyard is a great place to sample some local vintages. They offer wine tastings and tours of their picturesque vineyards.
Cape Split Hiking Trail: If you're up for a hike, Cape Split is a must....
GENEALOGY IN CANARD
Discover YOUR Roots: Canard Ancestry
Explore ancestors connected to Canard through births, deaths, marriages, cemeteries, and local genealogy resources.
BIRTHS & DEATHS
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Canard, Nova Scotia, Canada
We currently have information about 63 ancestors who were born or died in Canard.
View ancestors by year of birthMARRIAGES
Ancestors Who Were Married in Canard, Nova Scotia, Canada
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Canard.
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Updated: 2/2/2026 6:11:21 PM
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