To better understand historical breeding distribution and population changes, breeding records from the period 1858–1910 (most pre-dating previous summaries) were assembled for 4 species of alcid in British Columbia (BC) and southeastern Alaska (SEAK), based on re-evaluation of museum specimens, literature, and unpublished sources. Earliest records for each species were: Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) at St Lazaria Island, SEAK, in 1866; Cassin's Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) at Forrester Island, SEAK, in 1897; Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) at Pine Island, BC, in 1860; and Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) at Mandarte Island, BC, in 1858. Other breeding records for these species in BC and SEAK prior to 1911 were reviewed, historical literature was clarified, and certain historical population changes of Rhinoceros Auklets and Tufted Puffins were examined.