Located along the St. Croix River, the border city of Calais in Maine is just a short drive from St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

In spite of the international border that separates them, these two communities have a long history of sharing aspects of daily life, including access to medical services.

Back in the 1940s, about one-third of babies born at the former Chipman Memorial Hospital in St. Stephen were reportedly born to American mothers.

Understanding the Phenomenon of Cross-Border Births

If your ancestors resided in an American town near the Canadian border, there is a possibility that they were born in Canada, even if they spent their entire lives in the United States.

For many years, families from border towns crossed over to Canada for medical care, including childbirth, seeking access to the nearest or better-equipped hospitals. This practice was quite common in some border communities, such as Calais.

According to a 1946 article in The Saturday Evening Post, Chipman Memorial Hospital had a dedicated maternity wing that was lacking in Calais, leading American mothers to frequently cross the border for childbirth.

There are historical accounts of pregnant women crossing the Ferry Point Bridge, with Canadian immigration officials being aware of their destination at Chipman Memorial Hospital.

A 1988 article in the Los Angeles Times also highlighted the close ties between the two cities. For instance, Dan Hollingdale, a radio station manager from Calais, possessed dual citizenship as he was born at Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

Hollingdale’s story serves as an example of how individuals could grow up in the US, work and live there, while also holding citizenship in Canada.