Genealogy Chat

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I have been looking for my ggg grandfather Ambrose de Grussa's naturalisation for a while. I did search with National Archives Kew website and there is nothing for de Grussa. I have his 1881 census that he was Natz British Subject. He was migrated to London from Switzerland before 1851 census. I think two of his brothers came later to join him. He was married to Catherine Hopkins around middle of 1850s but there is no registration of their marriage. He lived in London until his death in 1906. I would love to have his naturalisation records. Is it possible that he did not apply for a naturalisation? Or is it incomplete from the National Archives website? Any suggestions, please? Thanks, Steven from Australia.

I have a similar problem with my Joseph Adler who came over from Germany prior to the 1861 census. Joseph married someone called Sarah from Colchester but I can't find the right marriage and also on later census returns he is shown as a naturalised British subject but there doesn't appear to be any papers at Kew. Any suggestions?

Steven and Clare, I have a little experience of finding Naturalisation papers at Kew - but I'm certainly no expert. From what I know of the online catalogue, it won't show details. The process for finding papers is a bit long-winded. First you have to look in one reference book, then you have to take the ref details from that and search in another file ... which if memory serves me well, leads to an archive box with a series of papers in ... hopefully including the one you want. Your first port of call ought to be a help 'leaflet' on the National Archives website - pretty sure there should be one on Naturalisation ... I've found these very helpful especially with difficult military histories. If you're still stumped and a visit to Kew is out of the question, may I suggest that you call them and ask for further advice. There are also researchers who for a fee will dig out the record for you - although a kind person on GR might well offer if you can give them clear guidance. Best of luck, Annie

I have similar with German grt grt grandparents who arrived in Britain between 1880 and 1889. have them on the 1891 and 1901 and says German British Subject on each census.However a trip to Kew failed to find any naturalization or denizition records and on enquiring for help was told that it often happened!! a census enumerator would say'do you have the right to be here' or something similar, and would get the answer 'Yes' so they would put British Subject. didnt always follow that they had taken naturalization though Shirley

Hi, thank you for replies. That's unfortunately. Now I understand about this. Cheers, Steven.