US Immigration Canadian Border Crossings: Difference between revisions

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[[Portal:United States Emigration and Immigration|Portal:United States Emigration and Immigration]];► Canadian Border Crossing Records  
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== '''Background'''  ==
==Online Records==
*'''1895-1956''' {{RecordSearch|1803785|United States Border Crossings from Canada to United States, 1895-1956}} at FamilySearch, index only. Includes records from seaports and railroad stations all over Canada and the northern United States.
*'''1895-1960''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1075/ Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1960] at Ancestry, ($). Index and images.
*'''1895-1954''' {{RecordSearch|2185163|Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954}} at FamilySearch, Index and images.
*'''1895-1956''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10942/united-states-border-crossings-from-canada-1895-1956?s=275764761 United States, Border Crossings from Canada, 1895-1956], index & images ($)
*'''1905-1963''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1070 Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1963] at Ancestry, ($).
*'''1906-1954''' {{RecordSearch|1916040|Michigan, Detroit Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954}}. Only from Michigan ports of entry: Bay City, Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Ste. Marie.
*'''1908-1935''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1344 Border Crossings: From U.S. to Canada, 1908-1935] at Ancestry - index & images ($) Some records in French.($)
*'''1908-1918''' - [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1050983?availability=Family%20History%20Library Border port of entry lists for Canada, 1908-1918], images


From 1895 through 1954, records were kept of many people who crossed the border from [[Canada|Canada]] into the [[United States|United States]]. The records are mostly for people who:
==Canadian Border Crossings: Canada to the United States==


*Were immigrating into the United States.  
===St. Albans, Vermont District Records===
*Were visiting the country.  
*'''1895-1956''' {{RecordSearch|1803785|United States Border Crossings from Canada to United States, 1895-1956}} at FamilySearch, index only. Includes records from seaports and railroad stations all over Canada and the northern United States.  
*Were United States citizens returning to the United States.
*'''1895-1960''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1075/ Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1960] at Ancestry, ($). Index and images.
*'''1895-1954''' {{RecordSearch|2185163|Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954}} at FamilySearch, Index and images.
*'''1895-1956''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10942/united-states-border-crossings-from-canada-1895-1956?s=275764761 United States, Border Crossings from Canada, 1895-1956] at MyHeritage, index & images ($)<br>
From 1895 through 1954, records were kept of many people who crossed the border from [[Canada Genealogy|Canada]] into the [[United States Genealogy|United States]]. The records are mostly for people who:


The border crossings records from Canada to the United States began in 1895. They include people coming in ships and trains through Canada to the United States either for a visit or to stay. People who crossed the border in any other way, such as by horse or car, are not in the records.  
*Were '''immigrating''' into the United States.  
*Were '''visiting''' the country.
*Were United States citizens '''returning''' to the United States.


Lists of passengers crossing the Canadian border to the United States were collected into this record: ''Manifests of Passengers Arriving in the St. Albans, Vermont District''. In spite of the title, this collection includes records from all over Canada and the northern United States (not just St. Albans). These are the records of U.S. immigration officials who inspected travelers at the following places:  
The records include people '''coming in ships and trains'''. People who crossed the border in any other way, such as '''by horse or car, are not in the records.''' <br>
 
Lists of passengers crossing the Canadian border were collected into '''"Manifests of Passengers Arriving in the St. Albans, Vermont District', 1895-1954."''' In spite of the title, this collection includes records from all over Canada and the northern United States '''(not just St. Albans)'''. These are the records of U.S. immigration officials who inspected travelers at the following places:  
*From 1895 to 1914, at all Canadian seaports and train arrival stations from Washington state to Maine (including major interior cities such as Quebec, Winnipeg, etc.). Officials used shipping company passenger lists (manifests) to determine passengers bound for the United States via Canada.
*From 1895 to 1914, at '''all Canadian seaports and train arrival stations from Washington state to Maine (including major interior cities such as Quebec, Winnipeg, etc.)'''. Officials used shipping company passenger lists (manifests) to determine passengers bound for the United States via Canada.
 
*From 1915 to 1954, border crossing records were '''only kept at train arrival stations along the northern borders of New York and Vermont.'''
*From 1915 to 1954, border crossing records were only kept at train arrival stations along the northern borders of New York and Vermont.


====Content of the Records====
[[File:Canada Border crossing.png|500px|left]]<br>
The information you find varies from record to record. These records may include:  
The information you find varies from record to record. These records may include:  
 
{|
*Name.  
|-
*Port or station of entry.  
|style="padding-right:50px"|
*Date of entry.  
*Name, age, gender.  
*Literacy.  
*Place of birth.
*Who they are traveling with.
*Name, relationship, and address of relative or friend they are joining.
*Last residence.  
*Last residence.  
*Name of nearest relative at last residence.  
*Name of nearest relative at last residence.  
*Previous visits to United States.  
*Previous visits to United States.  
*Place of birth.
*Date of entry.  
 
*Literacy.  
== '''The records'''  ==
*Port or station of entry.  
 
|}
=== Indexes&nbsp;  ===
<br>
 
In many cases, the index cards are the only record of the crossing.  
 
*[[Www.ancestry.com|Ancestry.com]] has indexes with image links to the index cards. A study was not done at this time to determine if all four sets of indexes are included in this collection.  
*The [[Family History Library|Family History Library ]]has on microfilm&nbsp;all four sets of&nbsp;indexes&nbsp;of&nbsp;the records:
 
#''Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont District, 1895-1924''. (400 rolls; FHL films 1472801-3201.) The Soundex is a coded surname index based on the way a name sounds rather than how it is spelled. Names like Smith and Smyth have the same code and are filed together.
#''Soundex Index to Entries into the St. Albans, Vermont District through Canadian Pacific and Atlantic Ports, 1924-1952''. (98 rolls; FHL films 1570714- 811)
#''Alphabetical Index to Canadian Border Entries through Small Ports in Vermont, 1895-1924''. (6 rolls; 1430987- 92) Arranged first by entry station, and then alphabetically by surname. From Vermont ports of entry only: Alburg, Beecher Falls, Canaan, Highgate Springs, Island Pond, Norton, Richford, St. Albans, and Swanton.
#''Card Manifests (Alphabetical) of Individuals Entering through the Port of Detroit, Michigan, 1906-1954''. (117 rolls; FHL films 1490449-565) Michigan ports of entry only: Bay City, Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Sainte Marie.
 
=== Border Crossing Records  ===
 
The records&nbsp;are in two series, as shown below:<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1280351958877_704" />
 
*''Manifests of Passengers Arriving in the St. Albans, Vermont District through Canadian Pacific and Atlantic Ports, 1895-1954''. (608 rolls; FHL films 1561087-499.)&nbsp;There are two indexes, 1895-1914 and 1915-1954.&nbsp;
*''Manifests of Passengers Arriving in the St. Albans, Vermont District through Canadian Pacific Ports, 1929-1949''. (25 rolls; FHL films 1549387-411.) In transit to the United States from Canadian Pacific seaports only.
 
Manifests for Pacific and Atlantic ports provide two types of lists: the traditional passenger lists on U.S. immigration forms and monthly lists of names of aliens crossing the border on trains. These monthly lists are arranged by month, then alphabetically by name of port, and then by railway.
 
== '''Suggestions for Searching'''  ==
 
==== Search the index  ====
 
Use&nbsp;Ancestry.com.
 
If that fails:
 
#Look through the microfilmed Soundex index for the code&nbsp;that includes&nbsp;your ancestor's last name.
#Search through that Soundex code&nbsp;for your ancestor's first name.
#Write down everything the index gives about your ancestor, including the day, month, and year when your ancestor entered the United States, the Serial number, which would have volume, group, and list numbers (usually the numbers in the upper right corner).
 
Interpretation of the serial number, such as 761-33-10&nbsp;from the index:
 
*761 is the volume number
*33 is the group number or&nbsp;the page number (usually)
*10 is the list number or line number on the page
 
<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1280354536529_426">If you do not find your ancestor in the index, see Tip 1. </span>
 
==== Find the actual record  ====
 
The index cards give so much information, it can be tempting not to look at the actual records. It is highly recommended that you take the extra step, as they&nbsp;include everyone coming at that time. Relatives and friends may be traveling with your ancestor and information given about those people may be very important to the research on your ancestor.
 
Ship passenger lists are arranged:
 
*1st by date (year, month, day).
*2nd by name of ship (usually ships are NOT in alphabetical order).
*3rd by list of passengers.
 
<br>Train passenger lists are arranged monthly:
 
*1st by year and month.
*2nd alphabetically by name of the port of entry into the United States.  
*3rd by name of railway.
*4th by list of passengers.
 
==== Create&nbsp;an image or photocopy  ====
 
Make a photocopy of the page(s) with the information about your ancestor. By copying the entire page(s), you can study the record in depth and save it for future reference. You can analyze the handwriting and note other details you may have missed when you first looked at the record. You may find other relatives of your ancestor.
 
==== Document so you could find it again  ====
 
Be sure to document the source of the information by writing the title, author, book or film number, and page number on the copy, or photocopy the title page at the front of the book or film. Also write the name of the library, archive, etc., where you found the passenger lists.
 
==== Study the document  ====
 
Compare the information to what you already knew about your ancestor.
 
What does it tell you about your ancestor and about the people who were with him or her? <br>Does the record give clues about your ancestor which could guide you to other records? <br>Watch for dates, locations, relationships, etc.<br>
 
== Tips  ==
 
==== Tip 1: Try various spellings  ====
 
Your ancestor's name may have been misspelled in the border crossing record or the index. Try variations of the way the last name was spelled. For suggestions, see Name Variations. Then look in the index using the spelling variations of your ancestor's name.
 
==== Tip 2: Check the&nbsp;records for that day  ====
 
Your ancestor's name may have been left out of the index. If you know the date he or she came into the United States, you should check the border crossing records for that day.
 
The following records may give you the day, month, and year your ancestor came into the United States:
 
:Written family histories
:Family traditions
:Obituary of the immigrant.
 
==== Tip 3: Try&nbsp;one of the&nbsp;smaller&nbsp;collections  ====
 
Try one of the following smaller collections of border crossing lists, if applicable to your ancestor:
 
*Vermont ports of entry from 1895-1924
 
:''Alphabetical Index to Canadian Border Entries Through Small Ports in Vermont, 1895-1924''
 
*Michigan ports of entry from 1906-1954
 
:''Card Manifests (Alphabetical) of Individuals Entering Through the Port of Detroit, Michigan, 1906-1954''
 
==== Tip 4:&nbsp;Additional strategies&nbsp;  ====


If you cannot find the immigrant in the border crossing records,  
===Detroit Records===
*'''1905-1963''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1070 Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1963] at Ancestry, ($). Index and images. Corresponds to NARA Publication M1478 and M1479.
*'''1906-1954''' {{RecordSearch|1916040|Michigan, Detroit Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954}} at FamilySearch. Index and images. Corresponds to NARA Publication M1478. <br>
This database is an index to card manifests of aliens crossing from Canada and entering the U.S. through the port of Detroit, Michigan from 1905 to 1954. It also includes passenger and alien crew lists of vessels arriving at the port of Detroit, Michigan, from 1946 to 1963.
====Content of the Records====
Due to the variety of forms, the amount of information available for an individual in this database will vary according to the form used and the questions asked on it. The type of information that is generally contained in this database though, includes:
{|
|-
|style="padding-right: 50px"|
*Name
*Age
*Birth date
*Birthplace
|style="padding-right: 50px"|
*Gender
*Ethnicity/nationality
*Last residence
*Vessel or airline name
|style="vertical-align:top"|
*Port of departure
*Port of arrival
*Date of arrival
|}


#Search the records for&nbsp;spelling variations for the name. Your ancestor's name may have been misspelled or mis-indexed. For suggestions, see Name Variations.
==Canadian Border Crossings: United States to Canada==
#Look for people who came with your ancestor, such as relatives or friends.  
*'''1908-1935''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1344 Border Crossings: From U.S. to Canada, 1908-1935] at Ancestry - index & images ($) Some records in French.($)
#Read&nbsp;newspapers around the expected&nbsp;date, both in Canada and the place your ancestor went in the United States. The "social columns," especially of rural areas, may mention who is new or visiting in the area.
*'''1908-1918''' -  [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1050983?availability=Family%20History%20Library Border port of entry lists for Canada, 1908-1918], images<br>
In April 1908, the Canadian government began recording the names of immigrants crossing into the country from the U.S. These records are the official immigration records for Canada as no other immigration records exist.
*From 1908-1918, the government used border entry lists to record information about individuals coming into the country.
*From 1919-1924, Form 30 (individual form) was used in place of the border entry lists to record similar information. In 1925 border entry lists came into use again.
<br>
Not all immigrants coming into Canada were registered. Some people may have entered the country through non-port cities or when ports were closed. Also, '''if at least one parent in a family was born in Canada or previously resided there, then the whole family was considered as returning citizens instead of immigrants''', and were therefore not recorded.
===Content of the Records===
The amount of information recorded in these records varies according to form type and year. Below is a list of the type information you may find in these records. Please keep in mind that not all of this information will be available on every form. Additionally, there may be other information provided that is not listed below.<ref>"Canada, Border Crossings from U.S. to Canada, 1908-1935", at Ancestry, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1344/, accessed 14 August 2021.</ref>
{|
|-
|style="padding-right:40px"|
*Port of arrival
*Date of arrival
*Age
*Gender
*Country of citizenship
*Birthplace
|style="padding-right:40px"|
*Last permanent address
*Marital status
*Spouse name
*Race or people
*Purpose in coming to Canada
*Occupation
|style="vertical-align:top"|
*Language
*Religion
*Destination
*Health questions
*Physical description
|}
[[File:Canada border crossing US to Canafa.png|1100px]]


&nbsp;
==References==
<references/>


[[Category:United_States_Emigration_and_Immigration]] [[Category:United_States]] [[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:United States Beginning Research]] [[Category:United States Emigration and Immigration]]

Latest revision as of 10:49, 23 August 2023

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Online Records[edit | edit source]

Canadian Border Crossings: Canada to the United States[edit | edit source]

St. Albans, Vermont District Records[edit | edit source]

From 1895 through 1954, records were kept of many people who crossed the border from Canada into the United States. The records are mostly for people who:

  • Were immigrating into the United States.
  • Were visiting the country.
  • Were United States citizens returning to the United States.

The records include people coming in ships and trains. People who crossed the border in any other way, such as by horse or car, are not in the records.
Lists of passengers crossing the Canadian border were collected into "Manifests of Passengers Arriving in the St. Albans, Vermont District', 1895-1954." In spite of the title, this collection includes records from all over Canada and the northern United States (not just St. Albans). These are the records of U.S. immigration officials who inspected travelers at the following places:

  • From 1895 to 1914, at all Canadian seaports and train arrival stations from Washington state to Maine (including major interior cities such as Quebec, Winnipeg, etc.). Officials used shipping company passenger lists (manifests) to determine passengers bound for the United States via Canada.
  • From 1915 to 1954, border crossing records were only kept at train arrival stations along the northern borders of New York and Vermont.

Content of the Records[edit | edit source]

Canada Border crossing.png


The information you find varies from record to record. These records may include:

  • Name, age, gender.
  • Place of birth.
  • Who they are traveling with.
  • Name, relationship, and address of relative or friend they are joining.
  • Last residence.
  • Name of nearest relative at last residence.
  • Previous visits to United States.
  • Date of entry.
  • Literacy.
  • Port or station of entry.


Detroit Records[edit | edit source]

This database is an index to card manifests of aliens crossing from Canada and entering the U.S. through the port of Detroit, Michigan from 1905 to 1954. It also includes passenger and alien crew lists of vessels arriving at the port of Detroit, Michigan, from 1946 to 1963.

Content of the Records[edit | edit source]

Due to the variety of forms, the amount of information available for an individual in this database will vary according to the form used and the questions asked on it. The type of information that is generally contained in this database though, includes:

  • Name
  • Age
  • Birth date
  • Birthplace
  • Gender
  • Ethnicity/nationality
  • Last residence
  • Vessel or airline name
  • Port of departure
  • Port of arrival
  • Date of arrival

Canadian Border Crossings: United States to Canada[edit | edit source]

In April 1908, the Canadian government began recording the names of immigrants crossing into the country from the U.S. These records are the official immigration records for Canada as no other immigration records exist.

  • From 1908-1918, the government used border entry lists to record information about individuals coming into the country.
  • From 1919-1924, Form 30 (individual form) was used in place of the border entry lists to record similar information. In 1925 border entry lists came into use again.


Not all immigrants coming into Canada were registered. Some people may have entered the country through non-port cities or when ports were closed. Also, if at least one parent in a family was born in Canada or previously resided there, then the whole family was considered as returning citizens instead of immigrants, and were therefore not recorded.

Content of the Records[edit | edit source]

The amount of information recorded in these records varies according to form type and year. Below is a list of the type information you may find in these records. Please keep in mind that not all of this information will be available on every form. Additionally, there may be other information provided that is not listed below.[1]

  • Port of arrival
  • Date of arrival
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Country of citizenship
  • Birthplace
  • Last permanent address
  • Marital status
  • Spouse name
  • Race or people
  • Purpose in coming to Canada
  • Occupation
  • Language
  • Religion
  • Destination
  • Health questions
  • Physical description

Canada border crossing US to Canafa.png

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Canada, Border Crossings from U.S. to Canada, 1908-1935", at Ancestry, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1344/, accessed 14 August 2021.

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