Naturalisation dilemma

[ajbaker]

I am hoping someone can offer some advice.

I have a 2xGG called Adam Hanisch, born 1853 in Koblenz, Germany. He arrived sometime between 1861 and 1871. He died in 1886, and as I can find no evidence of naturalisation papers I assume he was never naturalised.

My query is about his wife, Caroline Hanisch, nee Green. She was born in Essex, a British subject. I have been aware of a Caroline Hanisch being naturalised in 1919 (from TNA website) for some time, but never even considered that it might be her.

However, I read this morning that wives of German subjects, even if they were born British, had to regain their citizenship by applying for naturalisation.

The entry in TNA describes her as Caroline Hanisch, from Germany, resident in Beckenham. Beckenham is spot on as far as location goes. She was from Essex, though, and not Germany.

Why might she be making the application in 1919, after the war had finished? She would have been sixty four years old, and her husband had been dead for thirty three years.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Regards,
Adam

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Adam,

However, I read this morning that wives of German subjects, even if they were born British, had to regain their citizenship by applying for naturalisation.

Just guessing !

I wonder if, at 64, and the war with Germany just over, she was worrying about what would happen to her children (inheritances and any other official stuff) if she wasn't 'officially' english when she died,  and  therefore wanted to have everything legally wrapped up.

Bob

[ajbaker]

Hi Bob,

Yes, that sounds like a good reason for doing what she did. One of her daughters was dead (my GGrandmother) but she still had two living daughters.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Adam

[casalguidi]

Hi Adam

Have you tried a search for the surname in the archive of the London Gazette?  Some naturalisations and changes of name were recorded in there.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveSearch.asp?WebType=0

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[ajbaker]

Hi Casalguidi,

Yes, I have searched in the London Gazette, with no luck. Her son-in-law (also an immigrant from the continent) is in there in 1925, but she's not there.

I wonder whether maybe wives of German subjects who were formerly British were not included in the London Gazette when reapplying for naturalisation.

Regards,
Adam

[casalguidi]

Hi Adam

The London Gazette archive search doesn't always pick every instance of the word up if the original page hasn't scanned too well or even if the original print wasn't too good in the first place.  Try searching for beckenham - 1 Apr 1919

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[ajbaker]

Hi Casalguidi,

Sorry about the delay in replying - been away for the week in Scarborough with 44 9-year-olds!

Yes, that search worked and I now have the London Gazette entry.

Many thanks,
Adam