heather, my family has lots of friends that their families originated from Canada living here in the southern US. So....it is not so unheard of that people traversed the countries, carrying their valuables with them. I have the dish that my great, great, great grandmother carried in her lap, wrapped in rags and in a hat box, on a ship to start a new life in North America. Not worth a whole lot financially, but is the most expensive piece I own sentimentally.