Discovering Canadian Immigration Records on FamilySearch

Discovering Canadian Immigration Records on FamilySearch

This guide will walk you through the process of locating Canadian immigration records on FamilySearch.org to trace your ancestors' journeys.

Step 1: Navigate to the Search Records Page

• Go to the official FamilySearch website at FamilySearch.org.
• In the black navigation bar at the top of the page, click on the "Search" option.
• From the dropdown menu that appears, select "Records" to access the historical records search page.

Step 2: Filter by Place (Canada)

• On the "Find Historical Records" page, locate the "Search by Place" box, which is often prominently displayed on the left side or center of the page.
• Type "Canada" into this box. As you type, a list of suggested locations will appear; click on "Canada" when it appears in the suggestions or press Enter.
• The page will then refresh, displaying a list of all historical record collections available for Canada.

Step 3: Identify Relevant Collections

• Carefully scroll through the extensive list of Canadian collections. The titles are key to finding the right records.
• Look for collections that explicitly mention immigration, passenger lists, border crossings, or naturalization. Examples include:
  • "Canada, Immigration and Settlement, 1794-1925"
  • "Canada, Passenger Lists, 1881-1922"
  • "Canada, Border Crossings from US to Canada, 1908-1935"
  • "Canada, Nova Scotia Passenger Lists, 1819-1952"
  • "Canada, British Columbia Passenger Lists, 1888-1952"
• Click on the title of the collection that most closely aligns with the time period and potential port of entry or border crossing for your ancestor.

Step 4: Search Within a Specific Collection

• Once you've selected a collection, you will find a dedicated search form for that specific set of records.
• Enter as much information as you know about your ancestor into the provided fields:
  • "First Names" and "Last Names" (try variations or just the last name if unsure).
  • "Birth Year" (use a range, e.g., 1850-1860, for broader results).
  • "Place of Birth" (country or specific town).
  • "Arrival Year" (if known, or a range).
  • "Arrival Place" (e.g., Quebec, Halifax, Vancouver).
• Remember to use the "Show more options" link if available, to add details like parents' names, spouse's name, or other keywords.
• Click the blue "Search" button to execute your query.

Step 5: Utilize Image Browsing (If Necessary)

• If your initial name search doesn't yield results, or if the collection is not fully indexed by name, you may need to manually browse the digitized images.
• On the collection's main page (below the search fields), look for a link that says "Browse through [Number] images".
• Click this link. You will often be guided through a series of dropdown menus to select a specific "Province," "Port," "Year," or "Microfilm Number" to narrow down the vast number of images.
• Once you've made your selections, you'll enter the image viewer. You'll need to patiently navigate page by page, using the arrows, to scan for your ancestor's name or other relevant information.

Step 6: Review and Analyze Results

• When you locate a promising record, click on the name in the search results to view the indexed abstract, or click the image icon to see the original document.
• Always examine the original document image carefully. Information found on these records can include:
  • Full name
  • Age at time of immigration
  • Occupation
  • Last known residence in their home country
  • Intended destination in Canada
  • Names of family members traveling with them
  • Ship name and date of arrival
• Cross-reference this information with other records you have.
• Finally, remember to use the "Tools" menu within the image viewer or the record page to "Print," "Download," "Attach to Family Tree," or "Save" the record for future reference.