1922 Canadian Alien Card – A Glimpse into Early 20th Century Immigration via SS Canada

📌 Explore a rare 1922 Canadian Alien Card from the SS Canada, detailing the immigration process for non-Canadian passengers. This resource is invaluable for teachers, students, genealogists, and historians researching early 20th-century migration and border procedures.

Canadian Alien Card Was Issued to Each Non-Canadian Passenger, Indicating the Number of the Sheet and Line Number on the Manifest Sheet Their Name Was Listed On. This 1922 Card Was to Be Presented on Arrival to the Canadian Aliens' Officer. The SS Canada Would Likely Have the Route from Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-Québec-Montréal. GGA Image ID # 1fb85bf3a9

Transcription of Canadian Alien Card

Cabin

Alien

U S C (United States Citizen) is Handwritten in the upper right-hand corner.

White Star Line and White Star Dominion Line

S.S. Canada From Liverpool

Date of Departure 9 September 1922

Name SANDFORD, Blanche

List No. 1/20

And --- members of the family.

This card is to be presented on arrival to the Aliens' Officer.

[P.T.O.] (Passenger Transportation Office)

1922 Canadian Alien Card – Documenting a Journey to Canada 🇨🇦🛂

This page presents a fascinating archival document—a 1922 Canadian Alien Card issued by the White Star Dominion Line for passengers on board the SS Canada. The card, which was to be presented to the Canadian Aliens' Officer upon arrival, captures the detailed process of immigration control and identity verification that was pivotal in the early 20th century. The artifact not only reflects the bureaucratic rigor of the time but also offers a personal glimpse into the immigration experience.

Why This Collection Is Important:

Educational Value:

Teachers & Students: Provides a primary source that vividly illustrates the immigration procedures and health/safety regulations enforced at ports of entry.

Essay Resource: Ideal for writing assignments on topics such as immigration policy, border control, and the immigrant experience in the early 1900s.

Genealogical Research:

Genealogists: The detailed transcription of the card, including the passenger’s name, ship information, and departure details, is critical for tracing family histories and establishing ancestral origins.

Historical Insight:

Historians: Offers insight into the administrative practices and legal requirements imposed on non-Canadian immigrants during this period, highlighting the intersection of immigration, public health, and national security.

Maritime & Immigration Studies:

Researchers: Examines the role of transatlantic shipping lines like the SS Canada in shaping migration patterns, particularly for those heading to Canada via the route from Liverpool and Queenstown to Québec and Montréal.

The reverse side of the 1922 Alien Landing Card Contained a Notice: "Passengers are requested to have ready for the examination of the Aliens Officer all papers that may serve to establish their nationality, identity, and business." [P.T.O.]. GGA Image ID # 1fb85d1c8c

Noteworthy Images & Their Significance:

1. Front Side of the Canadian Alien Card

📸 Caption: "Canadian Alien Card, White Star Dominion Line SS Canada - 1922."

💡 Why It’s Interesting:

🔹 This image shows the original immigrant ID card with details like the passenger’s name ("SANDFORD, Blanche") and the ship's departure date (9 September 1922).

🔹 It provides specific details such as the list number and indicates that the card was meant to be presented to immigration officials—highlighting the official nature of immigration documentation.

2. Reverse Side of the Canadian Alien Card

📸 Caption: "Notice to Passengers – Prepare all papers to establish your nationality, identity, and business."

💡 Why It’s Interesting:

🔹 The reverse side contains explicit instructions for immigrants, emphasizing the importance of having proof of identity and nationality.

🔹 The multi-lingual message (written in several languages) reflects the diverse origins of immigrants and the multicultural aspect of early 20th-century immigration to Canada.

Historical Context & Relevance:

Immigration Procedures in the 1920s:

Documentary Evidence: Immigrants were required to carry official inspection and identification cards. This ensured that every non-Canadian passenger was thoroughly vetted before being allowed entry.

Public Health Measures: These documents often included proof of vaccination and disinfection, essential for preventing the spread of diseases.

Transatlantic Voyages: The SS Canada, operated by the White Star Dominion Line, was a key vessel for immigrants traveling from Europe to Canada, emphasizing the role of ocean liners in shaping migration patterns.

Relevance for Various Audiences:

Teachers & Students: Use these materials to illustrate how immigration policies evolved and how primary sources like these documents provide firsthand evidence of historical practices.

Genealogists: This card is a crucial tool for tracing family roots and understanding the bureaucratic journey many immigrants underwent.

Historians: It provides insight into governmental procedures and public health protocols during a pivotal period in North American immigration history.

Maritime Researchers: The document is also relevant for those studying the role of shipping lines in the movement of people across the Atlantic.

Key Takeaways for Research & Essay Writing:

Primary Source Value: These documents are primary sources that offer direct evidence of the immigration process and are ideal for critical analysis in academic essays.

Insight into Immigration Policies: The card details the strict requirements and procedures that non-Canadian immigrants had to meet, providing context for understanding the evolution of immigration law.

Personal Stories: The collection helps personalize the immigrant experience, making it easier to connect with the broader narrative of migration in the early 20th century.

📌 Essay Ideas:

"The Role of Documentation in Shaping Early 20th Century Immigration Policies"

"Public Health and Immigration: A Study of 1920s Inspection Cards"

"From Europe to North America: How Primary Documents Illuminate the Immigrant Journey"

Final Thoughts:

This 1922 Canadian Alien Card is a tangible piece of history that encapsulates the rigorous immigration process and the personal stories of those who left their homelands in search of new opportunities in North America. It is a vital resource for anyone interested in the history of immigration, public health protocols, and transatlantic travel.

📚 For further research, students and historians are encouraged to explore the GG Archives for additional immigrant documents, ship manifests, and other primary sources that bring the immigrant experience to life.

🔎 Every document is a doorway to the past – what story will you uncover?

🌍 Happy researching, and may your essays be enriched with the real stories behind these historical records!