Documents & Records
C.I.46 Certificate
Basics
The C.I.46 was an identity card issued to crew members of Chinese origin employed on ships travelling between Canadian and U.S. ports. These crew members were required to register with immigration officials. The C.I.46 certificate allowed them to leave and re-enter Canada during a limited period of time [e.g. one year].
Front
The following represents information found on C.I.46 certificates, based on a 1947 example:
| C.I. 36 | |
|
Dominion of Canada Department of Immigration and Colonization Chinese Immigration Branch |
|
| Serial no. [###] | |
| This is to certify that [name sometimes known as alternate name] whose photograph and description appear on the back hereof, has registered with the Controller of Chinese Immigration at the Port of [name] in accordance with the provisions of Section 25 of the Chinese Immigration Act, 1923, he being a member of the crew of the S.S. [name of ship] operating between Canadian and United States ports. This is only valid whilst the said [name of person] is a member of the crew of the S.S. [name of ship] and becomes null and void after [month and day] 19[##] on which date the registration period of [#] year[s] expires. Dated at [place of registration] this [day] of [month], 19[##]. |
|
| Controller of Chinese Immigration | |
Finding the Records
At Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada (LAC) collections include two examples of C.I. 46 certificates:
| Certificate No. | Name | Alternate Name | Date |
| 262 | Lee Sha Yue | Wing Too | 1947 |
| 393 | Won Ken | ___ | 1945 |
Additional information about these records is found in Library and Archives Canada's online List of Head Tax Certificates Held at Library and Archives Canada.
Image copies of the certificates can be seen on the first part of Library and Archives Canada microfilm reel C-13421, together with examples of other Chinese immigration certificates.
Use the online inter-library loan form to borrow microfilm reel C-13421 from Library and Archives Canada.
Photo banner: Detail from VPL Historical Photograph 78362
