Prince Edward Island Diaspora

Almost from the arrival of the first European settlers on PEI, the Island has become a source of out-migration as economic and career opportunities beckoned elsewhere. While the 'Boston States' was equally magnetic for all Maritimers, many families have maintained connections which what are now 3rd and 4th cousins that are the descendants of those who followed the migratory pattern towards the growing communities of New England.

Teachers from Prince Edward Island were in great demand in British Columbia in the early decades of the 20th century. Some eventually became school principals and having experience with the teacher training standards within PEI, hired additional teachers from the Island. Dr. Peter Smith the son of a PEI trained teacher, who had become principal of a high school in Victoria, BC stated the situation of his father's era well. "There wasn't a school in Victoria that didn't have at least one PEI teacher."

Destinations changed as Montreal, Toronto, Halifax and Calgary all became the focus of migrations over time. As Islanders migrated and became established in new location interest on PEI grew in the 'sons and daughters of the Island'  as the Prince Edward Island diaspora was emerging as a distinct reality. A book was eventually published to document the lives of many of these individuals called Islanders Away.

As I come across biographical information on individuals born on PEI who had careers off-Island, I hope to add to this list.

• Daniel Alexander Macdonald (1858-1937) - Winnipeg lawyer and judge.
• Hyndman, James Duncan (1874-1971) - Edmonton lawyer - appointed justice of the Supreme Court of Alberta in 1914, the youngest man ever to be appointed to that Court. 
• Sir Louis Henry Davies, (1845–1924) while having a career on PEI - including being the 3rd premier of the province and serving as federal cabinet minister, after leaving political life he had an extensive career in Ottawa as 6th Chief Justice of Canada.