Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956

Source Information

This database contains an index of aliens and citizens crossing into the U.S. from Canada via various ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border between 1895 and 1956. Specifically, this database covers the following ports and years:

• Bangor, Maine (ca. Jul. 1924-Dec. 1952)


• Calais, Maine (ca. 1906-Dec. 24, 1952) (also includes a few arrivals from 1877 to 1905)
  
• Eastport, Fort Kent, Lubec, and Madawaska, Maine (ca. 1906-Dec. 24, 1952) (also includes some departure records of U.S. citizens)
  
• Fort Fairfield, Maine (ca. 1909-Apr. 1953) (also includes a few arrivals at Easton, ME, Houlton, ME, Boston, MA, and Buffalo, NY and a few alien departures)
  
• Houlton, Maine (ca. 1906-Dec. 1952) (also includes some Indian admissions, ca. 1941-ca. 1953; “Records of Registry” documenting aliens’ previous arrivals for which no records could be found; Re-entry permits; persons admitted under the “Rule of Presumption” ; Land border departure records; War brides and their children)


• Jackman, Maine (ca. 1909-1953)
  
• Van Buren, Maine (ca. 1906-Dec. 24, 1952)
  
• Vanceboro, Maine (ca. 1906-Dec. 24, 1952) (also includes a few arrivals from 1888 to 1905 and a few arrivals at Halifax, Nova Scotia and St. John, New Brunswick)
  
• International Falls, Baudette, Duluth, Mineral Center, Pigeon River, Pine Creek, Roseau, and Warroad, Minnesota (Jan. 1907-Dec. 1952) (also includes some departure records of U.S. citizens)
  
• Babb, Montana (Jun. 1928-Oct. 1956)
  
• Buffalo, Lewiston, Niagara Falls, and Rochester, New York (1902-1954)
  
• Hogansburg, Malone, Morristown, Nyando, Ogdensburg, Rooseveltown, and Waddington, New York (Jul. 1929-Apr. 1956)
  
• Newport, Vermont (ca. 1906-Jun. 30, 1924)
  
• St. Albans, Vermont (1895-1954)
  
• Anacortes, Washington (Jul. 1924-Jul. 1953)
  
• Danville, Washington (Aug. 16, 1931-Nov. 1, 1956)
  
• Ferry, Washington (May 1, 1917-Nov. 1, 1956)
  
• Lynden, Washington (Jul. 10, 1923-Dec. 24, 1952)
  
• Laurier and Marcus, Washington (1923-1951)
  
• Metaline Falls, Washington (1924-1954)
  
• Northport, Washington (May 1923-Jul. 1, 1951)
  
• Oroville, Washington (Jan. 1, 1918-Dec. 1, 1954)
  
• Port Angeles, Washington (Jul. 1, 1929-Dec. 23, 1952)
  
• Sumas, Washington (Jul. 1, 1924-Sep. 30, 1956)
  

In addition, the names found in the index are linked to actual images of the manifests, copied from Nation Archives and Records Administration (NARA) microfilm (see Source Information for microfilm series information).

A variety of Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) forms were used to record information about individuals entering the United States. Types of forms used included: Primary Inspection Memorandum; Manifest; Record of Registry; and Land Border Departure Record. 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
  
• Names of individuals accompanied by
  
• Name of nearest relative or friend in former country
  
• Name of nearest relative or friend at destination
  

Additional information about an individual may be recorded on the original document and may be obtained by viewing the corresponding image. Some records even include a photograph of the individual or their family.

The card manifests are arranged alphabetically by surname. Some of them are arranged by Soundex code. The records can include both permanent and temporary as well as statistical and nonstatistical arrivals.