Frequently Asked Questions

The Scotiabank Family History Centre offers remote research services for people who are not able to visit the museum but would like to locate an immigration record of a family member or ancestor. Please use the online form to submit a research request. Copies of documents located by the Scotiabank Family History Centre team can be purchased for $17.39 + tax (if applicable). Prices subject to change. Staff will give payment options once the record has been found. To contact the Scotiabank Family History Centre with your request, click here to go to our Reference Request section.

No, there is no book of names/signatures of everyone who entered Canada through Pier 21 or any other port. This seems to be a widespread misconception which we are often asked about. Traditionally, ship manifests, and later immigration paperwork, were kept in large ledger books which may have contributed to the rise of this belief.

No, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 does not have the names of everyone who entered Canada through Pier 21 on our walls. A growing list of names on the Museum’s walls, are contributed by Museum donors via the Sobey Wall of Honour and Wall of Service programs. Click here to learn how you can support the Museum and have a name inscribed on a brick at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

Yes, we currently have over 700 images of a variety of ships available for purchase. Ship Photos are 8” by 10”, include a personalized caption depicting the immigration information which you provide and are housed in a clip frame. Each Ship Photo comes with an Information Package about the ship. Click here for details on how to order and to view the Ship Photo Collection. If you are interested in only a Ship Information Package please email sfhc@pier21.ca

Yes, Scotiabank Family History Centre has experienced researchers on staff who are able to help you begin your family research, assist you with your genealogical brick walls or point you in the right direction with your own research. Please email sfhc@pier21.ca with your questions. You will be contacted via email in 5 to 10 business days to begin your research.

The Scotiabank Family History Centre offers remote research services for people who are not able to visit the museum but would like to locate an immigration record of a family member or ancestor. Please use the online form to submit a research request. Copies of documents located by the Scotiabank Family History Centre team can be purchased for $17.39 + tax (if applicable). Prices subject to change. Staff will give payment options once the record has been found.

The Museum receives government funding that covers personnel and facility costs. We rely on self-generated revenue, including donations, to ensure we continue to provide exceptional public and educational programming, transformative exhibitions, and access to our collections.

No, the only information that we have from this period is a list of ship names and dates provided by the Canadian government which describes the comings and goings of ships during the war years. No information about the soldiers on the ships is available at the Museum. However, it is available from the Library and Archives Canada Personnel Records Unit. You will need to know the ship name and its date of departure. If you do not have information you will need to order the soldier’s Service Records from Library and Archives Canada. Click here for more information

(Note: You must have signed permission from the soldier to obtain his/her Service Records or the soldier must be deceased for 20 years. Proof of death and relationship is required.)

Once you receive the Service Records and you have the ship and date of departure you can contact Library and Archives Canada Personnel Records Unit to obtain information regarding the crossing. You should specify that you are requesting information from the Second World War sailing lists and provide identifying details about the soldier (name, date of birth and regimental number). Click here for more information.