Ancestry Releases Border Crossing Records from U.S. to Canada, 1908-1935

A new database released by Ancestry.com documents immigrants crossing into Canada from the United States between 1908 (the year Canadian officials began recording the names of immigrants crossing into the country from the U.S.) and 1935. Border Crossings: From U.S. to Canada, 1908-1935 consists of border entry lists (1908-1918 and 1925+), as well as individual entry forms (1919-1924). The individual entry form in use from 1919-1924 (Form 30) is of especially significant genealogical value as it included a good amount of information about each individual, including such things as birthplace, spouse name, occupation and a physical description.

"Detailed records were kept of those immigrating to Canada by ship from around the world, but movement from across the large open borders it shared with the U.S. was largely ignored until 1908," says Karen Peterson, Marketing Director, Ancestry.ca. "These records could provide the missing link for family history researchers looking to find when and where their ancestors came and settled in Canada via the U.S."

It is important to note, that the Border Inspection Agency did not capture all movement of people across the U.S. and Canadian borders. Some crossed when the ports were closed or through non-port cities. Also, if at least one parent in a family was born in Canada or previously resided there, then the entire family was considered as returning Canadian citizens rather than immigrants, and were therefore not recorded.

The records include the passage of people at close to 200 entry points in 13 Canadian provinces and U.S. states, including Alberta, British Columbia. Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. You can view the entire list of included entry ports in the database description at Ancestry.ca.

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