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Archiver > IrelandGenWeb > 2005-10 > 1128296313


From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: RESOURCE: Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries 1895-c. 1924
Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2005 16:38:33 -0700


RESOURCE: "Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries Through the St. Albans
(VT ) District, 1895-1924" film (M1461), is part of an immigration and
naturalization record set at your local LDS FHC. If you have trouble
locating it on the CD of FHC Library holdings, try keying in 1472801 when
asked for the US/Can film area number. That number will bring up information
on this set and others.

Researchers believing their FH has nothing to do with the state of VT (or
Canada) tend to overlook these valuable films. Actually, they pertain to
persons crossing back and forth at ANY point along the entire USA-Canadian
border! (Records were apparently stored in VT). It is very possible that
your ancestors were in Canada at some point in their travels, as mine were.
In addition to the usual data one would expect to find on an individual, you
are provided with the last residence, name and address of a friend or
relative in the "old" country, same at intended destination, traveling
companions, when last in country, color of hair, eyes, height, identifying
scars, etc. Best of all, they give the name of any ship (or train), port,
date involved in travels which can lead to a second microfilm of ship
manifests. I found my English father, his mother and siblings on one film
as they crossed the border frequently over a period of several years. Names
are soundexed, alphabetical by surname. Note, although the Soundex film
says it ends in 1924, dad emigrated in 1925 from Liverpool and his record
was on the film. All "aliens" who crossed the border with one particular
surname (and variations) for that ENTIRE TIME PERIOD are grouped together on
one, at the most, two, films, depending on how common the surname was.
Each time they crossed the border for travel, work, honeymoon, visit back in
the "old" country, etc., it generated another record.

Let's say you were looking for Thomas Albert. Kelly on the Kelly/Kelley
film - if you didn't find him under his full name or Thomas A. Kelly, try
looking for him under Thomas Kelly, T. A. Kelly, and even T. Kelly.
Important -- it is also possible he is listed under his middle name.
Although parents' names are not given, you should be given enough data to
identify a relative. The name of the person paying for the trip is also
given, which may be the father, etc. Most of the photographed cards (front
and back) are very clear.

This record set provided me with some of the most extensive information I
have been able to obtain on my family to date and only cost me a fee of
$3.75 at a local LDS FHC. The National Archive branches in the USA have
these same films to view for free, and likely they are available in Canadian
repositories, as well. The film numbers might be different but the title
of the film set should be the same. The LDS FHCs are open to the general
public and the volunteers there will help you find/order just the right film
to view. Jean


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