Three Nova Scotians have been named to the Governor General's New Year's Order of Canada list.

Mary Vingoe of Dartmouth becomes an officer of the Order for her contributions to the theatre community as a director and actor.

Vingoe is a co-founder of both the Ship's Company Theatre and the Eastern Front Theatre.

Terrence Punch, who appears on CBC Radio's Maritime Noon answering questions about genealogy, becomes a member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to the development and popularization of genealogy.

Punch is joined by Ronald Caplan of Sydney, who is being honoured for his role in the protection of Cape Breton's history and culture as a writer, editor and publisher.

Caplan moved to Cape Breton in 1971 and started Cape Breton's Magazine a year later. He spent the next 27 years travelling the island, talking with local people and recording their stories.

"When I came here I really I did not know how to live in a rural area. I didn't know the first thing. I couldn't sharpen an axe, I couldn't split wood, I didn't know what I would need to live," said Caplan.

"And so my neighbours were telling me that sort of thing right off the bat. And of course I not only found it useful, I found it fascinating," he added. "But at the same time they were telling me stories, of folklore you could call it, traditional tales, songs that they used to sing."