Genealogy Chat

My 2xgt grandfather is listed on the 1851 census as being born in Germany. On the 1861 it states Deu B S. As a British Subject, does that simply mean that he had by then got naturalisation, or would it mean that his mother was British ? (or maybe it could mean both). If it means he had obtained his naturalisation, is there anywhere specific I could search to find his records ? I have looked at documents online but nothing for his name. Also, does anyone know how to search for a Germany birth record? Not listed on IGI unfortunately. His wife was Australian, would she have also had to get naturalisation in the 1840's ? Thanks, Alison

Do you think he was German or born there of British parents. I have a german grandfather and i found him and his family on the 1891 and 1901 in both census says Germany British Subjects. I know they came to England between 1880 and 1889 cos that was the last two births and the 1880 was in germany and the 1889 one was Bradford Yorkshire. I seached at Kew for naturlization records and none found and was told that what often happened was the enumerator would ask 'do you have the right to be here' or similar ,and would be told 'yes' so he would put BS ,BUT it didnt necessarily follow that they had been naturlized. Naturlization records are held at Kew Unless you know where in germany they came from you have an uphill search for them. Shirley

Alison, I'm not 100% sure but I think naturalization papers are held in the County Records, I am hoping to find out for sure tomorrow because I am looking for one too, although mine is much more recent - about 1947. If I do find out I'll post another reply on here. Duncan

Thanks Shirley, think I've hit a brickwall. I believe he was born in Germany and his father was probably German also. There surname is Schwerer, so pretty German sounding ! I can not find any trace of a naturalisation record in the archives, so wondered if B S could mean that maybe his mother was British so he didn't need naturalisation ? Alison

Thank you Duncan, I have written to Kew to see if they hold anything on him, but maybe I'll contact the county records also and see if they can shed any light. Alison

I hope you don't mind if I book mark this thread incase there are any other further replies....2 brick walls of mine!! I have a 4x gt grandmother b1809 New York, USA (British Subject) and a 2x gt grandmother b1819 Cape of Good Hope, South Africa (British Subject) Many thanks, Linda

Hi Alison and Linda, No joy yet I'm afraid, I ran out of time. I was hoping to visit today, instead I'll ring them on Monday for advice. But afterwards I probably won't be online again till Thursday night - I don't have time to 'compute' between work nights. I can always pm you to save you keep hunting the thread. Duncan

Alison, I've just read your original message again and noticed another bit. If you type 'How to do!' in the search box, there was a thread in January along the same lines, a couple of us replied with some web addresses. Let me know if you can't find it, I will dig out the addresses again. Duncan

Thanks Duncan, I'll look that thread out. I had another thought, the lady that he married in 1846 was from NSW, Aust. Now I don't think she would have had to get naturalization, would she? Therefore if she was already a British Subject, by being Australian from a British colony (I think that's right !), then would he simply have obtained British Subject status by marrying her ? He was listed as born in Germany on the 1841 census, but right after marrying her in 1846, the 1851 census lists him as a BS. Alison

Think that the subject status is purely on the male line. (Women only being chattels at that time) I'm sure that women took the nationality of their husband or father.