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Nova Scotia was one of the original provinces was The Dominion of Canada was established in 1867.

Coombs researchers actively researching Nova Scotia, all descended from John W. COOMBS, formerly of Virginia, are:

Roland McCormick: “John William COOMBS must have come from Virginia about 1820, and married Mary Ann (Marianne) BURNS about 1825. We have two hard dates: his will was probated at Annapolis in 1852; and his grandson, John Benjamin COOMBS, Jr. was born in 1870… his wife seems to have been born in 1804. I am inclined to think John William COOMBS was born in Virginia about 1795-1805, that he came to Nova Scotia at about the age of twenty, where he got a grant of land, built himself a house in a place he called East Virginia, and then married Mary Ann (Marianne) BURNS. Their first son was named John Benjamin COOMBS, Sr.. His first child was born in 1870 - John Benjamin COOMBS, Jr., also known as “Little John”. John B. COOMBS, Jr. died in 1962 at the age of 92. His wife died in the 1940's and he spent his last 20 years or so with our family when I was growing up. He was a kindly old gentleman, quite deaf, but with extremely good eyesight and all kinds of information about his ancestors that died with him. According to family tradition John W. COOMBS' father married the second time. He didn't get along with his stepmother, so he took his father's boat and a slave and came to NS where he received a grant of land in a place he called Virginia after the place he came from. It still has that name. We do not know the name of John's father. We think he came from a line that carried the name Joseph, Andrew, a son of Andrew, and then John William.”

Lorraine King, descendant of John and Mary Elizabeth COOMBS Carr: “Mary Elizabeth COOMBS (b.1878-d.1950) was the third child of nine children of Enos Israel COMBS (b.1848 - d.1907) and Elizabeth Ann FRASER (b. 1851-d.1914) All of Virginia and Annapolis Co, Nova Scotia, Canada. Enos Israel was the son of John W. COOMBS (b.1798-d.1851) John W. emigrated from Virginia, USA and we have a record of the land grant which he named Virginia in Nova Scotia. John W. COMBS (1798-1851) was married to Mary Ann BURNES (b.? d. 1856) The family history gives John W. COMBS father as Isreal COMBS of Virginia, USA and his father as Andrew COMBS (seeking proof of this connection).”

Gail Cushman Pilon: “Family members have passed down thru the generations that John W. COOMBS hailed from outside Richmond VA. It is said he disliked his stepmother and therefore took his fathers ship and 1 slave to Nova Scotia. He received a land grant in the Annapolis Valley of NS and named his settlement Virginia, NS which still exists today. Could this John W. be the son to either RW John COMBS or Israel COMBS, who are both sons to Andrew COMBS of Loudon Co, VA? Family members feel he descends thru Israel.”

Miscelleneous Early Combs/Coombs Records

1748-1749 Nova Scotia, Canada. Date of Entry: 10 Apr 1748. Richd. COOMBS, single, Carpenter.

(Extracted from Records of Immigrants to Canada, published electronically by Ancestry, Inc., Orem, UT, 1999. Transcripts of Colonial Office Records: Nova Scotia--List of Emigrants entering Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, 1748-49, Transcribed from (film of) original documents held in the collection of the National Archives of Canada [Ottawa]: MG 11, Colonial Office Nova Scotia 'A', vol. 44, pp 1-57, reel C-9125.)

25-31 Aug 1786 New Johnstown Township No. 3. Nova Scotia, Canada. Victualling List. John COOMS. 1 man. 1 ration per day; 7 rations per month.

(Extracted from Records of Immigrants to Canada, published electronically by Ancestry, Inc., Orem, UT, 1999. Transcribed from original documents held in the collection of the National Archives of Canada [Ottawa]:, RG 19, vol. 4447, file 10.)

27 Nov 1817 Ross, Nova Scotia. "Total of Protestant families preparing to emigrate from the counties of Carlow and Wexford [Ireland] in ensuing spring; to this date 710 families containing 4,027 individuals of whom upward of 1,100 are able-bodied." William COOMES, 5 in family. Farmer and Mechanic.

(Extracted from Records of Immigrants to Canada, published electronically by Ancestry, Inc., Orem, UT, 1999. Transcribed from (film of) original documents held in the collection of the National Archives of Canada [Ottawa]: MG 11, Colonial Office 384,vol. 1, page 187, reel B-876)