Author Topic: Port of Detroit - Immigration  (Read 782 times)

Offline brucesaho

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Port of Detroit - Immigration
« on: Wednesday 24 November 21 15:02 GMT (UK) »
I have one of my ancestors Agnes Saville who moved to Canada with her husband John Richard Burrill and children in 1924. They went to live in Windsor, Ontario,John Burrill however lived and worked as a mailman in Detroit (Windsor is on the opposite river bank from Detroit).  I have a found a few USA immigration documents for the various members of the family detailing when they have travelled over to Detroit to visit the husband/father. Over time the children eventually moved to the US and were granted naturalization. Agnes though did not move to the states to be with her husband until 1941/2. This did not occur until after the marriage of her daughter Olive, who was the only member of the family not to move. Reading some of the immigration documents it looks as if Olive was denied entry to the States due to being medically unfit (the only times allowed were for medical treatment). So it looks as if Agnes was looking after her daughter until she was married.

My question though is that it looks as if husband and wife were apart for 16 years and they are only a few documents detailing visits.  I wonder though if immigration documents were only issued at the Port of Detroit for ferry travel, and if travel by road, no documents were recorded or available.  Or maybe there was a neutral area between he Us and Canada where the families could meet?

I am just looking for details to help flesh out their stories.

Offline *Sandra*

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Re: Port of Detroit - Immigration
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 24 November 21 15:29 GMT (UK) »
There would have been other places to cross the border not all records were kept apparently.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1803785

The Canada-United States border is the longest international border in the World at 5,525 miles. There are more than 100 land border crossings between Canada and the USA, although not all of these are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week year round.

The Ambassador Bridge connects Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan and is the single busiest international land border crossing in North America, accommodating 27 percent of the approximately $400 billion in annual trade between Canada and the U.S. Almost 3.5 million commercial vehicles used the bridge in 2000.

Just in case you haven't come across the death notice/obit..............also others for the family which might help fill out your tree.

Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan
3 Jan 1951, Wed    Page 8

part 1 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89477102/john-r-burrill-3-january-1951/

part  2 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89476993/obituary-for-burrill/

Sandra
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Offline *Sandra*

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Re: Port of Detroit - Immigration
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 24 November 21 15:31 GMT (UK) »

Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan
18 Dec 1972, Mon   Page 31

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89477302/obituary-for-agnes-burrill/

Sandra
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Offline *Sandra*

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Re: Port of Detroit - Immigration
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday 24 November 21 15:32 GMT (UK) »


Daughter Olive Dame - The Windsor Star Windsor, Ontario, Canada
15 Mar 1997, Sat    Page 85

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89477369/obituary-for-olive-dame-aged-89/

Sandra
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Offline *Sandra*

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Re: Port of Detroit - Immigration
« Reply #4 on: Wednesday 24 November 21 15:33 GMT (UK) »

Son Harold Burrill - Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan
28 Dec 1977, Wed    Page 53

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89477425/obituary-for-harold-burrill-aged-67/

spouse Mildred Burrill - find a grave

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/230804087/mildred-burrill

Sandra
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Online oldohiohome

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Re: Port of Detroit - Immigration
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 24 November 21 15:38 GMT (UK) »
I don't have facts to back this up-I'm only going by memory and experience. I am almost positive there is no neutral area in  Niagara Falls, Northern Vermont/Quebec, and where ever else it was that I crossed from NY State into Ontario. At least I don't remember one or ever hearing of one.

Regarding Detroit - Windsor: people commute back and forth to work every day, and I doubt they fill out paperwork 5 days a week for 30 years running. It is possible that the 2 parts of the family just drove back and forth (if they had a car). Maybe the story is different for travelers using public transportation such as ferries or long distance route buses. I think it would be more likely to get documentation from that type of traveler. Even a trip by "local" bus might not have had records.

Or if the person said they were coming on an extended stay, there would probably be a record of that.

Offline *Sandra*

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Re: Port of Detroit - Immigration
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday 24 November 21 15:46 GMT (UK) »

California Death Index - Fred Christopher Burrill
Birth Date 13 Oct 1920 Other Country
Death Date 12 Dec 1990 Death Place Riverside
Mother's Maiden Name Saville

spouse - Rita S. Burrill - Rita S. Wojewski - 20 July 1925 Detroit Michigan  - aged 90 years -
Marriage Date 21 Jul 1943    Torrance
Death Date 10 Dec 2015 - Death Place Yucca Valley
Father:   
Bernard Barney Wojewski - Mother Sophie Wojewski - Spouse Fred Burrill
Siblings Betty Gasch.

Sandra
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Offline *Sandra*

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Re: Port of Detroit - Immigration
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 24 November 21 16:01 GMT (UK) »


Jack Burrill - 1912 - 1979

The Miami Herald Miami, Florida
31 Aug 1979, Fri    Page 168

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89478530/jack-burrill-31-august-1979/

Sandra
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Offline *Sandra*

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Re: Port of Detroit - Immigration
« Reply #8 on: Wednesday 24 November 21 16:05 GMT (UK) »
Clifford Burrill - 1926 - 1974

FIND A GRAVE

   
Oakwood Cemetery Genesee, Genesee County, Michigan.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28149570/clifford-burrill

Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan
29 Jan 1976, Thu    Page 3

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89478813/clifford-burrill-29-january-1976/

Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan
6 Dec 1974, Fri    Page 21

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89478885/clifford-burrill-6-december-1974/

Sandra
"We search for information, but the burden of proof is always with the thread owner"

Census information is Crown Copyright  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

British Census copyright The National Archives; Canadian Census copyright Library and Archives Canada