UPPER-CANADA-L Archives

From: "Brenda Dougall Merriman, CGRS, CGL" <>
Subject: Re: [UPP-CAN] Immigration Pass
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 18:14:41 -0400

Elan & Bryan Walton wrote:
>
> I recently came across a reference on the Archives of Canada regarding an "Immigration Pass To Upper Canada". It read as follows:
>
> JOHN WALTON
> Year: 1817 Record: Immigration Passes To Upper Canada
>
> RECORD SOURCE
> Upper Canada Sundries
> Immigrants proceeding to Upper Canada via New York " Passes signed by the British Consul at New York to emigrants who have lately arrived from Great Britain and Ireland" 1817.
>
> I have ordered the microfilm from the archives through our local library. It has been a month so far. Can anyone tell me what i will find on this film? Can anyone tell me where he might have entered Upper Canada and where i might be able to find more information on this immigation pass here in Canada? I thank you for your help.

Hi Bryan:

There is an article in Ontario Genealogical Society's quarterly
"Families" vol 29, no 4 (1990) by Doris Bourrie about these records. The
National Archives of Canada source called Upper Canada Sundries is also
known as Correspondence of the Civil Secretary. Doris explains what the
"passes" are like -- usually just one piece of paper per immigrant or
family. They came from the British Isles. Ship passage to the port of
New York may have been more affordable than to the port of Quebec. Since
their intended destination was Upper Canada, the British Consul in NY
helped them on their way. From NY City I believe they proceeded up the
Hudson and along the Mohawk River Valley to Rochester and thence across
Lake Ontario. It should be very helpful if you can read or get a copy of
that article.
Brenda Merriman

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• Re: [UPP-CAN] Immigration Pass by "Brenda Dougall Merriman, CGRS, CGL" <>