iFamily History: Basics of Researching Your Loyalist Ancestors

United Empire Loyalists

Known as “Loyalists”, “King’s Loyal Americans”

The flag on the right, was the flag the UEL used when they entered British North American, (now Canada and other countries) after leaving the Thirteen Colonies. It became known as the Loyalist Flag. Also known as the Union Jack.

The majority settled in the areas Quebec and Nova Scotia but some also settled in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Some also went to Florida but the resources listed here are for the Canadians.

Later many moved back to United States (mostly the North East states). Others went to England, Australia and New Zealand, and other British Commonwealth. After the large migration Shelburne, NS was the 4^th largest city in North America. The population today is 1,743. The migration brought about the split of the land into Upper (Ontario) and Lower (Quebec) Canada.

If they stayed in Canada, the Crown gave them land grants of 200 acres (81 ha) per person to encourage their resettlement, as it especially wanted to develop the frontier of Upper Canada.

About Lianne Kruger

Genealogy

I researched my paternal grandmother's line to the first three white landowners of Canada in the 80's. I began genealogy going on genealogy trips in Ontario, England, and Scotland at graveyards with my mother starting at age 7 on. As a teenager, I sat in front of a microfilm reader with a list of names every Saturday at an FHL while my mother volunteered helping others.

I have spoken at Genealogical conferences and sessions at RootsTech (UT), FamilyRoots (UT), The Genealogy Show (in Birmingham, UK) as well as in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ogden, and Ontario.

Click on My Speaking Experience for session titles.

I have articles published on BYU Studies Quarterly magazine website and FamilySearch as well as AGS Relatively Speaking and Tree Climber.

Click on My Publications for complete list.