This is a place for me to share helpful hints and interesting finds in researching families in New Brunswick. Everything from trees of people named Taylor and their connections to old newspaper articles to tidbits from various archives and scene setting posts New Brunswick life.
I have been researching my genetic lines and their connections for nearly 25 years. It has always been accompanied by an interest in history both local and general.
Intervales of our river valleys and high tides of the Fundy
Although there are many fine belts of intervale* along the streams, and some patches of good soil on the hills, this division of the country, like the south side of Nova Scotia, is not well adapted for agriculture. The scenery is wild and picturesque; the bold cliffs or ragged precipices, the deep valleys, the quiet lake and the dashing waterfall, are sometimes presented at a single view.
… At many places in the wild woods there are noble streams passing through the intervales, and winding along their courses through lofty groves of ash and elm. Standing along the borders of these rich fields of wild grass, there are sometimes abrupt rocky cliffs crowned with spruce and other evergreens but so close is the forest, that it is only from the summit of some naked eminence that the natural beauties of the country can be perceived, or its future appearance be anticipated.
* An American term, signifying alluvium deposited from fresh water.
New Brunswick: Notes for Immigrants 1847 by Abraham Gesner pg 68-69
The tides of the Bay of Fundy, which at one place rise no less than 78 feet, are also remarkable.
… The Harbour of St. John is safe, but not very spacious, especially at low-water. The tides rise twenty-six feet, and therefore great facilities are afforded for repairing and launching vessels; for during the retreat of the sea, the shores and a number of docks are left dry. At such periods there is a strong outward current in the harbour, which, during the flood, is easy of access for the largest ships.
New Brunswick: Notes for Immigrants 1847 by Abraham Gesner pg 5, 121