In the late 19th century, General William Booth, co-Founder of The Salvation Army, put forward a scheme to help aspiring British emigrants find new homes in Canada. By 1914, the Army had helped bring more than 100,000 people to Canada, a total that eventually rose to an estimated 250,000.

Leaflets (above) advertising lectures by Salvation Army officers describing the wonders of Canada would be posted, and interested participants could learn more about what lay ahead. Upon their arrival at ports in either Quebec or Nova Scotia, the immigrants were greeted by Salvationists wearing one of the pins pictured above. Henry Birks, silversmith and founder of the renowned jewelry company, Henry Birks and Sons, produced the pins and was himself the son of immigrants who came to Canada earlier in the century. 

Intriguing stories of Canadian newcomers who were assisted by the immigration department can be found in meticulously recorded ship logs, which list names, dates and places of birth, occupations, embarkation points and ultimate destinations, as well as progress reports.

Only one immigration colony still carries its original name: Coombs, B.C., named after Commissioner Thomas B. Coombs, territorial commander for Canada from 1884 to 1889 and, again, from 1904 to 1911.

This story is from: