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US Immigration Canadian Border Crossings: Difference between revisions

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


==Canadian Border Crossings: Canada to the United States==
==Canadian Border Crossings: Canada to the United States==


===St. Albans, Vermont District Records===
===St. Albans, Vermont District 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.  
*'''1895-1956''' {{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, ($). Index and images.
*'''1895-1960''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1075/ Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1960] at Ancestry, ($). Index and images.
*'''1895-1954''' - {{RecordSearch|2185163|Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954}} at FamilySearch, Index and images.<br>
*'''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:  
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:  


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*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.'''


====Contents of the Records====
====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.
*Port or station of entry.
|}
<br>
 
===Detroit 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, ($).  
*'''1905-1963''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1070 Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1963] at Ancestry, ($). 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}}. Only from Michigan ports of entry: Bay City, Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Ste. Marie.
*'''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
|}


==Canadian Border Crossings: United States to Canada==
==Canadian Border Crossings: United States to Canada==
*'''1908-1935''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1344 Border Crossings: From U.S. to Canada, 1908-1935] at Ancestry, ($), index and images. Some records in French.($)
*'''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.<br>
*'''1908-1918''' -  {{FSC|1050983|item|disp=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.
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 1908-1918, the government used border entry lists to record information about individuals coming into the country.  
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<br>
<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.
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.
===Contents of the Records===
===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>
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>
{|
{|
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*Physical description
*Physical description
|}
|}
[[File:Canada border crossing US to Canafa.png|1100px]]


== Tips  ==
==References==
 
<references/>
==== 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,
 
#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.
#Look for people who came with your ancestor, such as relatives or friends.
#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.
 
<br>  
 
'''A wiki article describing this collection is found at:&nbsp;'''
 
*[[Border Crossings From Canada to the United States - FamilySearch Historical Records|Border Crossings From Canada to the United States - FamilySearch Historical Records]]


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

Latest revision as of 17:02, 12 August 2024

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Online Records

Canadian Border Crossings: Canada to the United States

St. Albans, Vermont District Records

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

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

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:

  • 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

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

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

  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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