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Immigrant Ancestors and WWII Alien Registrations

Image: rawpixel   It never occurred to me that my immigrant ancestors who did not naturalize after they came to the United States would be considered aliens. But an Ancestry hint for my great-grandmother Catherine Cassidy Baker tipped me off to this fact and a new Ancestry collection as well. The Alien Registration Act of 1940 required any non-citizen entering and living within the U.S. to register within four months at a local post office. 1  The process included completing a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions and to be fingerprinted. This requirement allowed the U.S. government to know the whereabouts and activities of the resident aliens, including where they worked, what sorts of clubs or organizations they belonged to, etc., in an effort to stem any anti-American activities. It was also intended to protect individuals from suspicion or harassment from others who might have learned of their status as a non-citizen. In a statement upon signing the ...
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GENEALOGY CHALLENGE 2021 - Immigration Record





GENEALOGY CHALLENGE 2021

Immigration Record - January 11th entry of a 31-day challenge to post a document, photo or artifact on social media every day in January. 

by Nancy Gilbride Casey  


Immigration journeys do not necessarily cover a long distance or cross over oceans as one most frequently imagines. One can also simply cross over a nearby border for any number of reasons. 

Such was the case for Edward Joseph Baker (1886-1961, above), my great grandfather, who crossed from Ontario, Canada at Niagara Falls, New York. He was on his way to Cleveland, Ohio to look for work in February 1910. 


This document, the "List or Manifest of Alien Passengers Applying for Admission to the United States from Foreign Contiguous Territory," gives all the details of Edward's border crossing, as well as interesting personal details, such as his appearance:1


  • He was 23 years old, married, and could read and write. 
  • He was Canadian, of German descent, and listed his occupation as an iron moulder.2
  • His last residence was Port Dalhousie in Ontario. 
  • He lists his father Joseph Baker as his nearest relative in Canada. 
  • Edward lists his final destination as Cleveland, Ohio. 
  • He paid for his passage himself, and notes that he has $114 with him for the journey. 
  • Interestingly, in answer to the question "to which relative or friend you are going?" and their address, he lists "no address." He may not have known anyone in Cleveland, and apparently had no where to stay. 
  • He describes himself as 5' 9-1/2" tall, with a dark complexion, brown hair and blue eyes.

An accompanying individual card (Form 548B), indicates that this is Edward's first time in the United States, and spells out his reason for coming: to look for work. The reverse notes that apparently his health exam was waived and that he was admitted to the U.S.3



Edward's quest for work was successful; by April 1910, he and his wife Catherine (Cassidy), and their son Charles were living on W. 11th Street in Cleveland. His occupation? "Molder" in a "foundry."4

 

NEXT UP: Interesting Letter


1 Manifests of Passengers Arriving at St. Albans, VT, District through Canadian Pacific and Atlantic Ports, 1895-1954, Port of Niagara Falls, sheet 17-18, line 15, Edward Baker, arriving Niagara Falls, 23 Feb. 1910; digital image "Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1075/images/m1464_118-0248 : accessed 10 January 2021), image 248/784; citing Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787 - 2004, Record Group Number: 85, Roll 118, NARA, Washington, D.C.
2 Wikipedia, "Molding," (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldmaker#:~:text=From%20Wikipedia%2C%20the%20free%20encyclopedia,as%20aluminium%20and%20cast%20iron. : accessed 11 Jan. 2021); last updated 10 January 2021, at 07:26 (UTC). "A moldmaker (mouldmaker in British English), or molder is a skilled tradesperson who fabricates moulds for use in casting metal products. Moldmakers are generally employed in foundries, where molds are used to cast products from metals such as aluminium and cast iron."
3 Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Buffalo, Lewiston, Niagara Falls, and Rochester, New York, 1902-1954, Form 548-B, Edward Baker, arriving Niagara Falls, 23 Feb. 1910; digital image "Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960," Ancestry  (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1075/images/m1464_118-0248 : accessed 10 January 2021), image 1800-1801/5223; citing Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787 - 2004, Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: M1480, Roll Number: 009 National Archives, Washington D.C
4 1910 United States Census, Ohio, Cuyahoga County, sheet 3-B (penned), Supervisor District 19, ED 125, Cleveland City, 6th Ward, Line 87, house 3115 W. 11th Street., household 58, family 78, Edward J. Baker, age 23 ; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/images/4449824_00881 : accessed 11 January 2021) image 6/29; citing FHL film 1375181.



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