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Banner: Moving Here, Staying Here. The Canadian Immigrant Experience


The Documentary TrailTraces of the PastFind an Immigrant

Historical Sources

Numerous sources which you can use for the challenges are scattered throughout this site. Below is a selection of suggested sources for each challenge, as well as some relevant primary sources and contextual information, also available on this site. We strongly encourage you to further explore Moving Here, Staying Here to find additional sources that will enable students to deepen their research.

Critical Question Two: Was the Canadian Dream a Myth or a Reality?

1. Shaping Dreams

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Poster entitled 160 ACRES OF FREE HOMESTEAD LAND IN CANADA, 200 MILLION ACRES

"160 Acres Free Homestead Land in Canada, 200 Million Acres"
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2321.03-e.html



Newspaper article entitled THE PLEA OF THE MENNONITES published in the MANITOBA FREE PRESS, May 18, 1920

"The Plea of the Mennonites," Manitoba Free Press, May 18, 1920
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2222.04-e.html



Assisted Passage form used by the Allan Line, 1883
Assisted Passage form used by the Allan Line, 1883

Assisted Passage form,
Allan Line, 1883 (2 pages)

Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1412-e.html



Excerpt from Robert Hume's diary, January 29, 1838
Excerpt from Robert Hume's diary, January 29, 1838

Diary of Robert Hume,
January 29, 1838 (2 pages)

Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2122.01-e.html

Supporting sources and contextual information for this period are found in the section entitled The Documentary Trail, in the following sub-sections:

Printed Advertisements
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1100-e.html

Immigrant Guides
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1200-e.html

The section entitled Traces of the Past contains the following sub-sections which cover specific time periods and provide supporting sources and contextual information:

Free from Local Prejudice (1815-1867)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2100-e.html

A National Open-Door Policy (1867-1895)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2200-e.html

Filling the Promised Land (1896-1905)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2300-e.html



2. Marketing Canada

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Poster entitled BUILD YOUR NEST IN WESTERN CANADA, 1904-1908

"Build Your Nest in Western Canada", 1904-1908
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2310.01-e.html



Newspaper advertisement with the words: 200 MEN WITH TEAMS WANTED WHO WILL BECOME ACTUAL SETTLERS IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA, CANADA, published in the DESERET NEWS, January 10, 1899

Charles Ora Card, "200 men with teams wanted who will become actual settlers in southern Alberta, Canada ....," Deseret News, January 10, 1899
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2223.04-e.html



Cover of atlas entitled THE LAST BEST WEST IS CANADA WEST, HOME FOR MILLIONS, 1907 or 1908

The Last Best West Is Canada West, Home for Millions, 1907 or 1908
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2312.02-e.html

Supporting sources and contextual information for this period are found in the sections entitled The Documentary Trail and Traces of the Past, in the following sub-section and essay:

Printed Advertisements
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1100-e.html

Sell, Sell, Sell
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2310-e.html


The section entitled Traces of the Past contains the following sub-sections which cover specific time periods and provide supporting sources and contextual information:

A National Open-Door Policy (1867-1895)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2200-e.html

Filling the Promised Land (1896-1905)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2300-e.html



3. The Great Canadian Ad Scam

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Cover of bound pamphlet entitled LAND, A LIVING AND WEALTH, 1913

Bound pamphlet Land, A Living and Wealth: The Story of Farming and Social Conditions in Western Canada, Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, 1913
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1111-e.html



Government atlas entitled CANADA WEST 1921

"Climate Contributions to General Prosperity," Canada West 1921, page 4
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2313.01-e.html



Poster entitled CANADA�S CALL TO WOMEN, 1920-1930

"Canada's Call to Women," 1920-1930
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1110-e.html



Promotional atlas of western Canada, [1903]

Atlas of Western Canada: Showing Maps of the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, British Columbia and Districts of Assiniboia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Dominion of Canada, [1903]
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2312.01-e.html



Photograph of booth exhibiting Canada's produce, 1913

Canadian government exhibit, Oklahoma State Fair, September 1913
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2311.03-e.html


Supporting sources and contextual information for this period are found in the sections entitled The Documentary Trail and Traces of the Past, in the following sub-sections and essay:

Printed Advertisements
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1100-e.html

Immigrant Guides
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1200-e.html

At Your Service
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2120-e.html


The section entitled Traces of the Past contains the following sub-sections which cover specific time periods and provide supporting sources and contextual information:

A National Open-Door Policy (1867-1895)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2200-e.html

Filling the Promised Land (1896-1905)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2300-e.html



4. Supports and Barriers to Realizing Dreams

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Head-tax certificate dated April 8, 1908

Head Tax Certificate for Wong Yam, April 8, 1908
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2413.01-e.html



Letter from Dymtro Byckalo; circa 1900

Letter from Dymtro Byckalo, Fish Creek Colony, circa 1900
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2323.03-e.html



Excerpt from pamphlet entitled ADVICE TO EMIGRANTS, 1832

A.C. Buchanan, Advice to Emigrants, Québec, 1832 (first page only)
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2121.01-e.html



Example of a deportation notice and form, circa 1926

Example of a deportation notice and form, circa 1926
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2431.01-e.html



Pamphlet detailing homestead regulations for settlers, August 14, 1930

Information for Intending Settlers Regarding the Homestead Regulations of Western Canada
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1312-e.html


The section entitled The Documentary Trail contains the following sub-sections which provide supporting sources and contextual information:

Printed Advertisements
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1100-e.html

Immigrant Guides
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1200-e.html

Government Rules and Regulations
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1300-e.html

Travel Documents
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1400-e.html

Land Grants
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1500-e.html



The section entitled Traces of the Past contains the following sub-sections which cover specific time periods and provide supporting sources and contextual information:

Free from Local Prejudice (1815-1867)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2100-e.html

A National Open-Door Policy (1867-1895)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2200-e.html

Filling the Promised Land (1896-1905)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2300-e.html

A Preferred Policy (1905-1920s)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2400-e.html

A Depressing Period (1930s)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2500-e.html



5. Dreams Realized or Shattered?

Back

Photograph of a shack and small garden on mostly uncleared land, Manitoba, no date

Beginning of a homestead in Manitoba, no date
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1610-e.html



Land patent issued to William Taylor Speed on January 7, 1887

Land patent, January 7, 1887
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-1611-e.html



Photograph of emigrant boys working in the fields

Boys training for work at the Philanthropic Farm School
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2241.01-e.html



Chart of burials on Grosse-Île from April 27 to November 1, 1832

Chart of burials on Grosse-Île, from April 27 to November 1, 1832
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2132.04-e.html



Newspaper article entitled HAMILTON WOMAN, IN CANADA 18 YEARS, ORDERED DEPORTED, published in the TORONTO GLOBE, October 17, 1930

"Hamilton Woman, in Canada 18 Years, Ordered Deported," Toronto Globe, October 17, 1930
Source

Click on: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2523.01-e.html



The section entitled Traces of the Past contains the following sub-sections which cover specific time periods and provide supporting sources and contextual information:

Free from Local Prejudice (1815-1867)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2100-e.html

A National Open-Door Policy (1867-1895)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2200-e.html

Filling the Promised Land (1896-1905)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2300-e.html

A Preferred Policy (1905-1920s)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2400-e.html

A Depressing Period (1930s)
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-2500-e.html
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Created: 2006-03-30
Updated: 2006-12-01
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