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Author Topic: Nationality & Naturalisation Curiosity  (Read 251 times)
Biker
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Nationality & Naturalisation Curiosity
« on: Thursday 30 December 04 23:25 UTC (UK) »
I have recently stumbled upon a nationality and naturalisation certificate record on the NationalArchives website and cannot make sense of it so wondering if someone can shed some light perhaps.

The certificate was issued December 1915 and appears to fit an ancestor born in 1845 - the surname is very unsual and both the last name and first names match, so I'm assuming it is she.
However, all indications (1871, 81, 91, 01 censuses post marriage) and the 1851 census indicates she was born in St. George in the East, Middlesex.

She did marry a man who was born in Germany and came to England around late 1860s.  I was actually looking for HIS naturalisation records but found nothing.  The husband died in 1906 and she died in 1926.
I have double checked the later censuses and no other person appears with the same name.

So, I figure it's a very good bet that this certificate pertains to the individual I think it is.

The question is, why would someone born in England require naturalisation?
Would it be related to being married to a German during a time of war?
Or could it be an 'estate' related matter (the husband passed his reasonably substantial property to his wife on his death and she continued with some of the businesses)?

Another possibility (considering her parents had a child born in Jamaica and appear to have travelled somewhat) is, if she was born in Germany but brought home to England shortly after birth, what would her nationality/subject status be?

I'm going to order the cert, but even though, I'm unsure what kind of information might be contained in it and thought I might see if anyone had any ideas/suggestions on this one ...  I'm very curious.

Apologies for long ramble  Cheesy
Thanks in advance
Jonathan
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Gardener
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Re: Nationality & Naturalisation Curiosity
« Reply #1 on: Friday 31 December 04 00:21 UTC (UK) »
I found this so interesting that I looked around a bit and found this



1. Resumption of British subject status by married women

1.1 The Naturalization Act 1870 introduced the rule that marriage to an alien would cause a British subject wife to lose that status automatically on marriage or the husband's alienage, and that she would be deemed to have acquired her new husband's nationality. Since such women might not in fact have acquired the husband's nationality, many effectively became stateless. The only concession made under the 1870 Act was that natural-born British subject women could apply to resume British nationality upon their husband's death.
1.2 The principle that a wife's nationality status would depend on that of her husband was continued under s.10 of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914. However, the 1914 Act introduced a further concession that if her husband ceased to be a British subject during the marriage a woman could remain a British subject by making a declaration of retention (see the separate entry below). Additional concessions were introduced by the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Acts 1918 and 1933.

Got it here

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/home/laws___policy/policy_instructions/nis/r-v/resumption__history.html


Looks as though it wasn't an issue until the war as she could seemingly have applied as soon as she was widowed.
Hope this helps.
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Biker
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Re: Nationality & Naturalisation Curiosity
« Reply #2 on: Friday 31 December 04 00:30 UTC (UK) »
Thanks for digging that out Gardener, most useful.  I'll let you know the outcome when I get the cert.  Hopefully, the cert will include her husbands actual birthplace as it has only been known as Germany thus far.

Cheers
jonathan
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Biker
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Re: Nationality & Naturalisation Papers
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 25 January 05 10:21 UTC (UK) »
Hello,

After receiving the documentation,  here is an update ...

She was indeed British born, but as Gardener indicated she had lost that on the death of her German husband and had to re-apply.  If you can find such documentation for a relative I would recommend ordering it (£10). 

There is about 12 pages of A5.  A report by the Metropolitan Police (under the Alien Restriction Order 1914) which gives a three page typed report on her character, a description of her home (they inspected it), her income and house rent, her abilities in English (she could not read nor write, but could sign her name, which she does on several papers - fascinating) and she could speak English 'fairly well'. 

There are also character references from neighbours.  A report from Scotland Yard.

There is also a list of her living family, together with spouses, occupations, addresses, birth dates etc (a married daughter in Canada!)

Her own documentation of proof of identity is referred to and quoted (marriage certificate).  Interestingly she was not able to provide a birth certificate (which caused much debate in letters, copies of which are enclosed) and 'a full search was done of Somerset House' without finding it. No wonder I've never been able to find one !!!!  Names of her parents given and their nationality.

There are also copies of letters which went to and fro to the Home Office, as well as the 'minutes' of the judgement which has some writing scribbled in the margins like 'It is a curious case not likely to be drawn into a precedent for inadequate knowledge of English".

All in all a great piece of family history to have.

Regards
Jonathan
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Biker
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Re: Nationality & Naturalisation Papers
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 25 January 05 17:17 UTC (UK) »
Quote from: JonathanW on Tuesday 25 January 05 10:21 UTC (UK)
Interestingly she was not able to provide a birth certificate (which caused much debate in letters, copies of which are enclosed) and 'a full search was done of Somerset House' without finding it.

Umm, was wondering what the chance are of finding a baptism if the birth was not registered?

Anyone any experience with this?

Regards
Jonathan
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