The Railway Agreement of 1925 was signed by the Canadian government and two major railways, the Canadian National Railways, and the Canadian Pacific. This agreement led to an increase in immigration, particularly from Northern and Central Europe, to Canada. It’s estimated that over 185,000 immigrants arrived in Canada from Central Europe under the terms of this agreement from 1925 to 1929.
If your family immigrated to Canada from Europe during this era, they likely benefited from the agreement. It directly shaped Canada’s demographic makeup, making Canada an alternative to the United States for immigrants leaving Europe.
If you’re tracing your ancestors to their arrival in Canada, you’re likely to come across the agreement. In this article, we’re recapping everything you need to know about the agreement and how you can use MyHeritage’s research tools to trace your ancestors’ journey.
Key takeaways on the railway agreement of 1925:
- The Railway Agreement of 1925 led to an influx of immigration from Europe into Canada, shaping the country’s demographics for generations to come.
- The agreement enabled immigrants to travel on subsidized fares, arranged by the railways.
- You can trace your ancestor’s journey to Canada using immigration forms, passenger lists, and naturalization papers.
- MyHeritage provides databases and smart tools to streamline your genealogy research to uncover your family’s history.
What is the railway agreement of 1925?
After World War I, the Canadian government adopted the Railway Agreement to meet its growing labor needs, particularly for agricultural and domestic workers, and its ambitions to expand its industries. The agreement was designed to bring more immigrants into the country, especially to Canada’s western provinces, by offering discounted rail travel from port cities to regional stations.
It marked the end of formerly tight restrictions on what nationalities could immigrate to Canada. Under the agreement, American, British, and French immigrants were favored, along with those from Northern Europe. By comparison, quotas were in place for immigrants from Eastern Europe, who were required to meet specific criteria, including their available capital and family size. The agreement limited immigrants to farm work and domestic services.
The agreement led to an increase in immigration from Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Italy. It also increased the number of farming communities across Canada, leading to greater cultural diversity. Many of these immigrants would eventually be enlisted in the military during World War II.
How the railway agreement of 1925 changed Canada
Many European immigrants who arrived in Canada with the help of the Railway Agreement were still facing the economic hardship and political upheaval of the fallout of World War I. Canada offered the promise of a new future, as the railways served an important role in bringing immigrants from ports like Quebec, Montreal, and Halifax to their new homes. The program also benefited Canada by providing immigrants to fill the growing need for more agricultural and domestic workers.
The Railway Agreement fundamentally changed Canada, with many families today tracing their roots back to the immigrants who arrived under this scheme. While the agreement was originally intended to boost population numbers in Western Canada, it eventually ended in 1961 due to changing economic priorities. However, it served as a crucial transportation route for generations of immigrations over more than 30 years.
How to find ancestors who immigrated to Canada
At MyHeritage, our research tools and DNA testing help you find ancestors who immigrated to Canada. There are several documents you can use to identify and trace the immigration journey of these relatives, including passenger lists for ships arriving in Canada from Europe. Immigration registration forms, border entry documents, and land grant records can also provide additional information.
The Canadian National Railway also compiled detailed records for immigrants traveling on its routes, including information about family structures and intended settlement. It’s important to note that you may find multiple records about the same relative, as it was typical for both English and French records to be created during that era.
Many of the immigrants who arrived at their new homes with the help of the Railway Agreement of 1925 would later serve in World War II. You can use military records to identify relatives who were drafted during the war or who served in the military post-WWII.
If you’ve traced your relative to their arrival in Canada, it’s also worth looking through church and community records for additional information. Many of the immigrants who came into Canada in the early 20th century would later become naturalized citizens. You can also find many of these documents through the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and the MyHeritage database.
Trace your family’s journey to Canada with MyHeritage
Many of the immigrant families in Canada today were helped by the agreement when their ancestors originally arrived in the country. It served as a vital route for bringing immigrants from port cities to smaller communities and rural areas in Canada’s western region. This agreement shaped Canada’s immigration patterns for generations to come and was responsible for expanding the population.
Start tracing your Canadian roots today with MyHeritage. Search billions of historical records, build your family tree, and use DNA testing to discover relatives connected by the Railway Agreement of 1925. Get started today with a free trial to get instant access to over 36 billion historical records.
FAQs about The Railway Agreement of 1925
Why was the Railway Agreement of 1925 created?
The 1925 Railway Agreement aimed to increase immigration to Canada’s western regions to support its economic aims and meet the need for more agricultural and domestic workers.
What immigrant groups came to Canada under the 1925 Railway Agreement?
Many of the immigrants who benefited from the 1925 Railway Agreement came from eastern and central Europe, including Hungary, Germany, Poland, and Italy.
What documents should I use to trace ancestors who immigrated to Canada?
MyHeritage gives you access to a range of immigration records to trace your ancestors’ journey to Canada, including passenger lists, emigration records, and naturalization papers.
Is it worth also looking at Canadian WWII records?
Yes, many immigrants who arrived in Canada under the agreement would later go on to serve during World War II, making military records a useful tool.
My family immigrated to Canada in the early 20th century. How should I start tracing my family tree?
Start with what you know, using oral histories to find names, potential locations, and dates to narrow your search when checking immigration documents and other vital records.
The post The Railway Agreement of 1925: Immigration to Canada Explained appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Source: My Heritage
Be First to Comment