Internment camps: First World War

Orders in Council are legal tools that address administrative and legislative matters of the federal government. These include appointments, transactions between the government and the private sector, control of Indigenous lands and policy items.

There is a database to search through Orders in Council. It was created from two series in the Privy Council Office fonds: annual registers (RG2-A-1-d) and despatch registers (RG2-A-2-b). Available images, from 1867 to 1916, are digitized from microfilm copies of the original documents.

The database is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To find relevant results, use keywords such as “internment,” “enemy,” “alien,” “exeats” and “registrar.”

Set the date filter to “1914-1920" to find results related to First World War internments.

The sub-series consists of records created by the Secretary of State during the First World War and includes Orders in Council, government despatches and correspondence regarding such issues as the status of enemy aliens and trading with the enemy.

A sample of files can be accessed in the lower-level description(s) on Collection search. Otherwise, the full scope of materials can be assessed using finding aid 6 23, which is not available online.

The sub-series consists of records relating to the Custodian of Enemy Property and internment operations. During both world wars, the Secretary of State handled the liquidation of business transactions between Canadian nationals and corporations in enemy countries. In 1920, the office of the Custodian of Enemy Property was transferred from the Department of Finance to the Secretary of State. Its responsibilities were reparation payments and matters arising out of internment operations.

This sub-series consists of the certificates of release from internment. These records were not created in the Secretary of State's department but were transferred to assist the Custodian in the performance of his functions.

Volumes 760 to 766 specifically have to do with the internment camp in Kapuskasing.

Finding aid 6-21 is available as a PDF; it consists of an unverified file list for volumes 751 to 772 and 819. It can be found in the finding aid section of the record description.

A large block of records pertaining to the First World War was registered as file number 14071. These records consist of 118 volumes, for which a separate detailed finding aid exists (see volumes 541 to 543, reels T-2335 to T-2336, available on Canadiana Héritage).

Finding aid 7-12 is in two parts. The first part, created by the Office of the Governor General, is an alphabetical subject index to the files opened and maintained by the Central Registry. The second part is a table that identifies the files preserved by Library and Archives Canada and the archival references for consulting the records. You can consult finding aid 7-12 online. It can be found in the finding aid section of the record description.

Start by browsing part one of the finding aid to find files with subjects of interest and their record numbers. The record numbers are found in the first three columns of this list. You can conduct a full-text search by using the search function in the Adobe Reader program (use the keyboard shortcut “ctrl F” or the taskbar button that looks like a magnifying glass). Since the index is in English only, you must use English words and proper names without accents when searching.

In the second part of the finding aid, use the file number to locate the number of the microfilm containing a copy of the record that you would like to view. In this list, the file number is located in the third column and the microfilm number can be found in the second column.

The sub-series consists of paylists of units in Canada during the First World War. During the war, a variety of military tasks were performed in Canada. Units of the Non-Permanent Active Militia were called up to guard strategic sites such as armouries, bridges and canals. Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force were assembled here prior to embarkation overseas. Headquarters staff were based in Canada. Support functions, including general administrative tasks and the operation of recruitment centres, hospitals and training schools, were also undertaken here.

These files consist largely of nominal paylists, organized by unit and by date. Some of these files also contain Part II Daily Orders.

This sub-sub-series documents the prisoner-of-war internment camp operations in Canada for German residents in Canada, at various camps in British Columbia, Kingston, Ontario, and Amherst, Nova Scotia. Many of the photographs were created by or for the Consulate of Switzerland, Department of German Interests, which documented Canadian camps in albums and textual reports with photographic illustrations. Correspondence and camp lists are also included in accession 1966-088.

You can view these photographs by using the advanced search function “Specific terms.” Select “Accession” from the drop-down menu and enter “1966-088” in the adjacent search bar.

This sub-sub-series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the sub-sub-series, click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Modify Search” and enter keywords such as “internment camp” or “internment station.” This will keep the filter set to this sub-sub-series and search your keywords within it.

The sub-series consists of an incomplete collection of numbered central registry files combining the incoming correspondence of the department, arranged by file number within each year. The files include correspondence, memoranda, reports, briefs, clippings, printed material, petitions and legal documents relating to diverse subjects, among which are internment operations in Canada during the period of the First World War.

This sub-series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the sub-series click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Modify Search” and enter keywords such as “internment,” “camp,” “interned,” “prisoner,” “enemy” or “alien.” This will keep the filter set to this sub-series and search your keywords within it.

Set the date filter to “1914-1920" to find results related to First World War internments.

The documents consist of official correspondence created and/or maintained by the Office of the Comptroller. The sub-sub-series consists of the incoming correspondence of the Comptroller's Office arranged in subject files within each year. Among the subject matter found in this sub-sub-series are matters relating to internment operations in Canada during the period of the First World War. The finding aid 18-1 is a list of contents for volumes 539-606. It can be found in the finding aid section of the record description.

This sub-sub-series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the sub-sub-series, click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Modify Search” and enter keywords such as “internment,” “camp,” “enemy,” “alien,” “German,” “Austrian,” “spy,” “insurgent” or “nationality.” This will keep the filter set to this sub-sub-series and search your keywords within it.

The series consists of records created and/or maintained by the Criminal Investigation Branch. The records prior to the 1920 reorganization were maintained as a branch of the Commissioner's Office. They consist of completed murder cases, Criminal Code cases and a register of prohibition investigations. The series also includes files relating to:

• military defaulters
• investigations of enemy aliens and alleged subversive individuals
• release of prisoners
• enforcement of such legislation as the Customs, Immigration, Indian and Fisheries acts
• policing in Canada's national parks

Also included is a register with brief notations on prohibited publications, secret agents, Bolshevism and other matters.

This series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the series, click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Modify Search” and enter keywords such as “internment,” “camp,” “enemy,” “alien,” “German,” “Austrian,” “spy,” “insurgent” or “nationality.” This will keep the filter set to this series and search your keywords within it.

The sub-series consists of records from the Department of Militia and Defence’s 1903 central registry system, which was adopted and expanded by the newly created Department of National Defence in 1923. A major departmental reorganization in 1903 included the creation of a central registry and file classification system at Militia Headquarters, which brought together the records created by the various branches of the department.

Among the subject files are documents related to internment operations in Canada during the period of the First World War.

This sub-series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the sub-series, click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Modify Search” and enter keywords such as “internment,” “enemy,” “alien,” “prisoner” or “nationality.” This will keep the filter set to this sub-series and search your keywords within it.

The series consists of records that represent filing systems from each of the 11 districts that were in existence from 1907 until the Second World War. The records deal with a wide range of subjects including recruitment, organization, inspections of Canadian Expeditionary Force units and Non-Permanent Active Militia, battle honours, badges, internment and aid to the civil power.

This series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the series, click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Modify Search” and enter keywords such as “internment,” “camp,” “internee,” “enemy,” “alien,” “German,” “Austrian,” “detention” or “prisoner.” This will keep the filter set to this series and search your keywords within it.

The sub-series consists of records from the Department of Militia and Defence’s 1903 central registry system, which was adopted and expanded by the newly created Department of National Defence in 1923. A major departmental reorganization in 1903 included the creation of a central registry and file classification system at Militia Headquarters, which brought together the records created by the various branches of the department.

Among the subject files are documents related to internment operations in Canada during the period of the First World War.

This sub-series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the sub-series, click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Modify Search” and enter keywords such as “internment,” “enemy,” “alien,” “prisoner” or “nationality.” This will keep the filter set to this sub-series and search your keywords within it.

The series consists of records that represent filing systems from each of the 11 districts that were in existence from 1907 until the Second World War. The records deal with a wide range of subjects including recruitment, organization, inspections of Canadian Expeditionary Force units and Non-Permanent Active Militia, battle honours, badges, internment and aid to the civil power.

This series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the series, click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Modify Search” and enter keywords such as “internment,” “camp,” “internee,” “enemy,” “alien,” “German,” “Austrian,” “detention” or “prisoner.” This will keep the filter set to this series and search your keywords within it.

The sub-sub-series consists of subject and case files maintained in the first central registry system. The subject files relate to a wide variety of topics in the history of Canadian immigration, settlement (especially but not confined to settlement of western Canada), ethnic groups, and the representation and promotion of Canada abroad. These files include, among other things, documents related to internment operations in Canada during the period of the First World War.

There are lists of names of individual immigrants on many of the subject files.

As the file titles often do not convey the full range of information available in the files, users should consult as wide a variety of files in their subject area as possible. Many of the files are titled with the name of an immigration office or officer or the name of an organization. Thus researchers should look not only for files on the topic they are researching, but also for files of reports submitted by specific immigration headquarters or field officers or by named private organizations relevant to the subject. The contemporary subject indexes (finding aid 76-8) index some of the topical material on this type of file.

This sub-sub-series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the sub-sub-series, click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Modify Search” and enter keywords such as “internment,” “internee,” “enemy,” “alien,” “exeats” or “prisoner.” This will keep the filter set to this sub-sub-series and search your keywords within it.

Set the date filter to “1914–1920” to find results related to First World War internments.

This accession of administrative and operational central registry files covers all aspects of the development, management, servicing and public service activities of Yoho and Glacier national parks. Also included are the superintendents’ monthly statistical and prose summaries covering park activities over the years as well as significant correspondence, reports and surveys pertaining to the parks.

The contents of this accession are listed in finding aid 84-33. All relevant files concerning internment camps operations are located in box 3.

The records of this sub-series were created and/or maintained by the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property. The files relate to the administration of the office and accounts and are arranged according to an alphanumeric file system.

The Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property was established in 1916 under the authority of the War Measures Act of 1914. Its function was to take action under the Trading with the Enemy Regulations, including the seizure and liquidation of enemy property. From 1919 to 1939, it administered war claims and reparations.

This sub-series is large and covers a wide range of subjects. To search within the sub-series, click on the link above, and then click on “view lower level descriptions.” This will take you to the Collection search results page for those records.

Click on “Advanced search” and enter keywords such as “internment camp” or “internment station.” This will keep the filter set to this sub-series and search your keywords within it.

This sub-series includes records from both the First World War and Second World War. For files from the First World War, set the date filter to “1914–1930,” as this correlates with the period of internment and subsequent claims and reparations relating to the First World War.

The fonds consists of postcards and a photograph of guards and camp staff at the Spirit Lake internment camp (La Ferme), Abitibi, Quebec, in 1916.

The images feature Georges Vermette (1898-1972), who was a guard at the camp

William Dillon Otter was the Director of Internment Operations during the First World War. He was also the author of the immensely popular soldier's handbook The Guide, first published in 1880 at Toronto, which ran to eleven editions by 1914.

This fonds consists of original, photocopied and microfilmed records comprising correspondence from family and military officials (1870-1925); notebooks and diaries (1885-1925); memoirs (1891-1918); memorabilia (ca. 1850-1861); correspondence of Alfred Otter (1860-1865); press file (1900-1929); and Office of Internment Operations stationery (1917). Microfilmed material is located on reels M-1671 to M-1674 and consists of correspondence (1860, 1870-1927) on militia matters; notebooks and diaries (1885-1925); memoirs (1866); and miscellaneous documents and newspaper clippings (1900-1929).

There are also photographs showing militia operations, facilities and personnel in Ottawa, Petawawa, Toronto and Niagara, Ontario; activities of the Otter family and friends; a photo of Col. W.D. Otter and his horse (1887-1909); and copies of photographs originally taken ca. 1885-1920, showing a view of Cutknife Creek, Saskatchewan, a military cemetery in Battleford, Saskatchewan, a group photo of officers of the Queen's Own Rifles, and a portrait of Gen. W.D. Otter (1920). The fonds also contains illuminated addresses presented to Sir William Dillon Otter between 1865 and 1901 from a range of sources including the Queen's Own Rifles, the Canadian Wimbledon Team and the Ontario Rifle Association.

William Doskoch was born in Laza, Galicia (Austro-Hungarian Empire, now Ukraine), on April 5, 1893, and left for Canada in 1910. He joined his brother George, who had arrived in Canada in 1905 and was working in the coal mines in British Columbia.

He was sent to the internment camp at Morrissey, British Columbia. He became active as a spokesman for the internees, learning how to read and write in English. He corresponded with the Swedish and Swiss consuls on behalf of the internees. These consular officials represented the interests of the Austro-Hungarian government in Canada during the First World War.

William Doskoch was later transferred to Mara Lakes, Vernon and finally to Kapuskasing, Ontario, where he was released on January 9, 1920. This fonds consists of correspondence with Swiss and Swedish consuls during internment, notebooks with examples of English lessons during internment (1916-1918), correspondence with the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway Employees (1929-1930), personal correspondence with his brother John (1916-1918), notebooks during internment and notes and illustrations (postcards) relating to internment.