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''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United_Kingdom_Naturalization_and_Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]]''  
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==Online Resources==
*'''1844-1990''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/britain-naturalisations-1844-1990 Britain, Naturalisations 1844-1990] at Findmypast - index ($)


==== Naturalization  ====
== Naturalization  ==


Aliens could become naturalized British subjects only by Act of Parliament before 1844, and after this by a certificate from the Home Secretary. This allowed them all the privileges of someone born in Britain but was costly and time-consuming so usually only achieved by those higher up the social and business scale. Others chose to get denization, but the vast majority did not bother taking out papers at all because they couldn’t afford to. Upon marriage to an Englishwoman their children born in Britain automatically acquired British nationality. Naturalization papers can be most informative, giving:  
Aliens could become naturalized British subjects only by Act of Parliament before 1844, and after this by a certificate from the Home Secretary. This allowed them all the privileges of someone born in Britain but was costly and time-consuming so usually only achieved by those higher up the social and business scale. Others chose to get denization, but the vast majority did not bother taking out papers at all because they couldn’t afford to. Upon marriage to an Englishwoman their children born in Britain automatically acquired British nationality. Naturalization papers can be most informative, giving:  
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*Number of children, but usually not their names.
*Number of children, but usually not their names.


The original naturalization records are in PRO series HO 1, 2, 3 and 5. Chancery documents in C 65-67, and C 54 also contain many Acts of Naturalization from the 15th century until 1873. Most of these classes have indexes, for example {{FHL|226779|item|disp=FHL film 0824514-5}} and {{FHL|226779|item|disp=FHL film 0917035}} contain indexes to naturalizations in the Patent Rolls in C 66 from 1801-1924, see example in chart below.  
The original naturalization records are in PRO series HO 1, 2, 3 and 5. Chancery documents in C 65-67, and C 54 also contain many Acts of Naturalization from the 15th century until 1873. Most of these classes have indexes, for example {{FSC|226779|item|disp=FS Library film 0824514-5}} and {{FSC|226779|item|disp=FS Library film 0917035}} contain indexes to naturalizations in the Patent Rolls in C 66 from 1801-1924, see example in chart below.  


<br> '''Chart: Index to Certificates of Naturalization 1801-1900'''<br>{{FHL|226779|item|disp=FHL film 0917035}}  
For more information see [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/naturalisation-british-citizenship/ How to look for records of Naturalisation and British citizenship] or [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/naturalised-britons/ How to Look for Records of Naturalised Britons]
 
<br> '''Chart: Index to Certificates of Naturalization 1801-1900'''<br>{{FSC|226779|item|disp=FS Library film 0917035}}  


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Original records are subject to the 100-year closure rule, but there are indexes at the PRO up to 1935 and if a name is found in these then the relevant edition of the ''London Gazette'' where the event should be listed can be consulted.  
Original records are subject to the 100-year closure rule, but there are indexes at the PRO up to 1935 and if a name is found in these then the relevant edition of the ''London Gazette'' where the event should be listed can be consulted.  


==== Denization  ====
Until 1844 British naturalization required an Act of Parliament, which limited naturalization to the wealthy. These records are in the patent rolls. From 1844 to 1878, the secretary of state’s acts of "making aliens English" are recorded in the Chancery Court records.
 
Acts of Parliament were published in the [[London Gazette]]
 
The original records are at the [[England Archives and Libraries|Public Record Office and Libraries]]  except for the "oaths of denization" which are part of the quarter session court records.
 
The FS Library filmed the Public Record Office’s records of denization from 1835 to 1924 (film {{FSC|226802|title-id|disp=824515}}) and the index (film {{FSC|226802|title-id|disp=824514 item 3}}). Indexed lists of naturalizations and denizations from 1509 to 1835 are in:
 
*Shaw, William. ''Letters of Denization and Acts of Naturalization for Aliens in England''. Lymington, England: Huguenot Society of London, 1893–1932. (FS Library book {{FSC|300201|title-id|disp=942.1/L1 B4h vols. 8, 18, 27, and 35}}; films {{FSC|300201|title-id|disp=824513}} items 1–2 and {{FSC|300201|title-id|disp=824514}} item 1.)
 
The [[England Archives and Libraries|Kew Lists]] contain an index to all letters and acts of naturalization (including denied petitions) between 1509 and 1935, except quarter session "oaths of denization". Only the Middlesex (outer London) quarter session "oath rolls" are included in the index. The Public Record Office number is "HO 1/INDEX" which is contained on fiche numbers 1882 to 1938 in the Kew List.
 
Records of denization or naturalization at the FamilySearch Library are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:
 
;ENGLAND - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP
 
== Denization  ==


This is the considerably easier process of granting to an alien by ''letters patent'' some of the privileges of naturalization, for example allowing the buying and devising (bequeathing in a will) of land, which aliens could not do. However, a denizen could not inherit land, nor could any of his children born before denization. Neither could he hold any office of trust or receive grants of land from the crown. The original records are at the PRO from about 1400 to 1844 in series C 66 and 67. The indexes to the records of these two processes have been published by the Huguenot Society (Page, and Shaw) and are on microfilm:  
This is the considerably easier process of granting to an alien by ''letters patent'' some of the privileges of naturalization, for example allowing the buying and devising (bequeathing in a will) of land, which aliens could not do. However, a denizen could not inherit land, nor could any of his children born before denization. Neither could he hold any office of trust or receive grants of land from the crown. The original records are at the PRO from about 1400 to 1844 in series C 66 and 67. The indexes to the records of these two processes have been published by the Huguenot Society (Page, and Shaw) and are on microfilm:  


*Volume 8 covering 1509-1603 and volume 18 covering 1603-1700 on {{FHL|300201|item|disp=FHL film 0824513}}.  
*Volume 8 covering 1509-1603 and volume 18 covering 1603-1700 on {{FSC|300201|item|disp=FS Library film 0824513}}.  
*Volume 27 covering 1701-1800, and volume 35 which is a supplement to volumes 18 and 27, on {{FHL|226779|item|disp=FHL film 0824514}}.
*Volume 27 covering 1701-1800, and volume 35 which is a supplement to volumes 18 and 27, on {{FSC|226779|item|disp=FS Library film 0824514}}.


The ''index'' gives the:  
The ''index'' gives the:  
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{{Note| An index to later denizations is on film.}}  
{{Note| An index to later denizations is on film.}}  


<br> <br> '''Chart 15: Index to Denizations 1801-1873 — ''' {{FHL|226779|item|disp=FHL film 0917035}}  
<br> <br> '''Chart 15: Index to Denizations 1801-1873 — ''' {{FSC|226779|item|disp=FS Library film 0917035}}  


{| width="600" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"
{| width="600" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"
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*Returns and papers 1836-1869 (HO 3).<br>
*Returns and papers 1836-1869 (HO 3).<br>


*Aliens Act Entry Books 1905-1921 (HO 162).<ref>Christensen, Penelope. "England Naturalization, Denization, Maps, Local Histories, and Theses that Include Nonconformists (National Institute)," ''The National Institute for Genealogical Studies'' (2012), https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/England_Naturalization,_Denization,_Maps,_Local_Histories,_and_Theses_that_Include_Nonconformists_%28National_Institute%29.</ref>
*Aliens Act Entry Books 1905-1921 (HO 162).<ref>Christensen, Penelope. "England Naturalization, Denization, Maps, Local Histories, and Theses that Include Nonconformists - International Institute, " ''The International Institute of Genealogical Studies'' (2012), https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/England_Naturalization,_Denization,_Maps,_Local_Histories,_and_Theses_that_Include_Nonconformists_%28National_Institute%29.</ref>


{{Note|These are of particular use for Jewish immigrants from Europe. Consult PRO Guide D76 for further information.}}  
{{Note|These are of particular use for Jewish immigrants from Europe. Consult PRO Guide D76 for further information.}}  
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Record content varies greatly by court and by time period. Some records give only names, but others give birthplace or place of origin, length of residence in Britain, occupation, employees, age, parish of residence, and wife’s name.  
Record content varies greatly by court and by time period. Some records give only names, but others give birthplace or place of origin, length of residence in Britain, occupation, employees, age, parish of residence, and wife’s name.  


=== Citizenship in Cities and Boroughs  ===
== Citizenship in Cities and Boroughs  ==


Boroughs (towns or cities possessing special privileges conferred by royal charter) granted privileges similar to naturalization by admitting a man to the "freedom of the city". He was then referred to as a "freeman".  
Boroughs (towns or cities possessing special privileges conferred by royal charter) granted privileges similar to naturalization by admitting a man to the "freedom of the city". He was then referred to as a "freeman".  
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*Summonses made against those found trading in the City of London without having taken out their freedoms, including name, address, trade and comments. <br>
*Summonses made against those found trading in the City of London without having taken out their freedoms, including name, address, trade and comments. <br>


*Complaints of masters against apprentices, and vice versa.
*Complaints of masters against apprentices, and vice versa.<ref>Aldous (''The Archives of the Freedom of the City of London 1681-1915''. Genealogists’ Magazine Vol. 23 #4, page 128-133, 1989, and My Ancestors were Freemen of the City of London, 1999) and Medlycott (''The City of London Freedom Registers''. Genealogists’ Magazine Vol. 19 #2, page 45-47, 1977) give more details, and Aldous’ 2003 article (''Records of King’s Freemen in the City of London in the 18th and 19th Centuries''. Genealogists’ Magazine Vol. 27 #9, page 415-421) describes another group called ''King’s Freemen'' who were discharged soldiers and sailors.</ref>


Aldous (''The Archives of the Freedom of the City of London 1681-1915''. Genealogists’ Magazine Vol. 23 #4, page 128-133, 1989, and My Ancestors were Freemen of the City of London, 1999) and Medlycott (''The City of London Freedom Registers''. Genealogists’ Magazine Vol. 19 #2, page 45-47, 1977) give more details, and Aldous’ 2003 article (''Records of King’s Freemen in the City of London in the 18th and 19th Centuries''. Genealogists’ Magazine Vol. 27 #9, page 415-421) describes another group called ''King’s Freemen'' who were discharged soldiers and sailors. Many freeman lists are filmed for example:
<br> The FamilySearch Library has a few freemen records. These are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:  
 
:*In the FamilySearch Catalog under ENGLAND - KENT - MAIDSTONE - VOTING REGISTERS The ''Freeman Lists for Maidstone 1551-1842'' can be found on {{FHL|586178|item|disp=FHL films 1656613-4}}.
:*On the Thomson-Gale website of old documents City of London liverymen were listed by company and then letter of the alphabet in a ''Canvassing Book'', that is a list of eligible men (see chart below) with their address, trade and company name. Note that even in 1776 not all men were members of the company indicated by their trade.
 
'''Chart: City of London Canvassing Book for Elections by the Livery 1776'''
 
{| width="600" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"
|-
! scope="col" | NAME
! scope="col" | ADDRESS
! scope="col" | TRADE
! scope="col" | COMPANY
|-
| ''Townsend, Wm''
| ''Lime Str.''
| ''Wine merchant''
| ''Coopers''
|-
| ''Topping, Timothy''
| ''Chiselhurst, Kent''
| --
| ''Coopers''
|-
| ''Totten, Sam''
| ''Chancery Lane''
| ---
| ''Cutlers''
|-
| ''Townsend, Jn''
| ''7 Gracechurch Str.''
| ''Bridgemaster''
| ''Embroiderers''
|-
| ''Towers, John''
| ''Aldgate''
| ---
| ''Fishmongers''
|-
| ''Towers, Sam''
| ''Fenchurch Str.''
| ''Ironmonger''
| ''Fishmongers''
|-
| ''Townley, Hammet''
| ''Tower Str.''
| ''Hop merchant''
| ''Fishmongers''
|-
| ''Toplis, John''
| ''White Lion Str.''
| ''Apothecary''
| ''Girdlers''
|-
| ''Tomlinson, Joshua''
| ''Prince's Str, Lambeth''
| ''Pump maker''
| ''Girdlers''
|-
| ''Townsend, Wm''
| ''Fleet Str.''
| ''Goldsmith''
| ''Glovers''
|-
| ''Townsend, Rich.''
| ''Gracechurch Str.''
| ''Ironmonger''
| ''Goldsmiths''
|-
| ''Townsend, Wm''
| ''Charles Str., Grosvenor Sq.''
| ''Upholder''
| ''Goldsmiths''
|-
| ''Todd, Rob''
| ''22 Watling Str.''
| ''Tea Dealer''
| ''Grocers''
|}
 
<br> A detailed document survives from the early 1760s for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis which has been published by White (''Property Relating to Weymouth and Melcombe Regis for the Purpose of Voting circa 1760s'', undated). The occupiers and use of every building in each street is listed with some extra notes in some cases (see chart below).
 
<br> '''Chart: Property Relating to Weymouth and Melcombe Regis for the Purpose of Voting circa 1760s''' [data from White]
 
{| width="600" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"
|-
! align="center" scope="col" | No
! align="center" scope="col" | Occupier
! align="center" scope="col" | Descripton
|-
| colspan="3" |
'''Melcombe Regis St. Thomas Street<br> East Side'''
 
|-
| 58
| Poor
| Alms House 59
|-
| 59
| Wm White
| A deal yard goes through into the Market Street.
|-
| 71
| Saml Cosens
| House, slaughter-house and stables backside
|-
| 72
| J. Johns
| House and garden
|-
| 73
| Edwd Rickett
| House and garden
|-
| 74
| -----
| Void Spott
|-
| 75
| -- Bridle
| House and garden
|-
| 76
| Widdow Coffin
| House
|-
| 77
| Wlm Sadler
| House
|-
| 78
| Thos Bryer
| A warehouse
|-
| 79
| Jno Mansell
| A cellar and school room over tenanted by John Dowle
|-
| 80
| Widow Way
| A house, workshop and garden
|-
| 81
| Philip Adams
| Stables and corn-house
|-
| 82
| Geo Shuttleworth
| House, stables and garden
|-
| 83
| Mrs Reed
| Meeting House and dwelling
|-
| colspan="3" | '''Weymouth Hooker's Dock to Hope'''
|-
| 21
| Jno Newton
| A house claims by purchase from Mary the sister and heir of Wm Spragg grandson and heir of Tristram Spragg
|-
| 22
| Jno Sandford
| A house and garden claims by conveyance from Prudence widow of Richd Morris
|-
| 23
| Wm Speck
| A moiety of a house claims by purchase from Richd Hardy who purchased of Eliz. Fletcher<ref>Christensen, Penelope. "England Freeholders Lists, Jury Lists, Burgess Rolls, Freemen Rolls (National Institute)," ''The National Institute for Genealogical Studies'' (2012), https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/England_Freeholders_Lists,_Jury_Lists,_Burgess_Rolls,_Freemen_Rolls_%28National_Institute%29.</ref>
|}
 
The Family History Library has a few freemen records. These are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:  


;ENGLAND, [COUNTY], [CITY] - OCCUPATIONS
;ENGLAND, [COUNTY], [CITY] - OCCUPATIONS
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;WALES, [COUNTY], [CITY] - OCCUPATIONS
;WALES, [COUNTY], [CITY] - OCCUPATIONS


=== Locating the records ===
Bristol's burgess books have been indexed and transcribed from 1557 to 1995: {{FSC|1384139|item|disp=FS Library CD-ROM no. 4215}}.


Until 1844 British naturalization required an Act of Parliament, which limited naturalization to the wealthy. These records are in the patent rolls. From 1844 to 1878, the secretary of state’s acts of "making aliens English" are recorded in the Chancery Court records.
Many freeman lists are filmed for example:


Acts of Parliament were published in the [[London Gazette]]
:*In the FamilySearch Catalog under ENGLAND - KENT - MAIDSTONE - VOTING REGISTERS The ''Freeman Lists for Maidstone 1551-1842'' can be found on {{FSC|586178|item|disp=FS Library films 1656613-4}}.<ref>Christensen, Penelope. "England Freeholders Lists, Jury Lists, Burgess Rolls, Freemen Rolls - International Institute, " ''The International Institute of Genealogical Studies'' (2012), https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/England_Freeholders_Lists,_Jury_Lists,_Burgess_Rolls,_Freemen_Rolls_%28National_Institute%29.</ref>
 
The original records are at the [[England Archives and Libraries|Public Record Office and Libraries]]&nbsp; except for the "oaths of denization" which are part of the quarter session court records.
 
The Family History Library filmed the Public Record Office’s records of denization from 1835 to 1924 (film {{FHL|226802|title-id|disp=824515}}) and the index (film {{FHL|226802|title-id|disp=824514 item 3}}). Indexed lists of naturalizations and denizations from 1509 to 1835 are in:
 
Shaw, William. ''Letters of Denization and Acts of Naturalization for Aliens in England''. Lymington, England: Huguenot Society of London, 1893–1932. (Family History Library&nbsp;book {{FHL|300201|title-id|disp=942.1/L1 B4h vols. 8, 18, 27, and 35}}; films {{FHL|300201|title-id|disp=824513}} items 1–2 and {{FHL|300201|title-id|disp=824514}} item 1.)
 
The [[England Archives and Libraries|Kew Lists]] contain an index to all letters and acts of naturalization (including denied petitions) between 1509 and 1935, except quarter session "oaths of denization". Only the Middlesex (outer London) quarter session "oath rolls" are included in the index. The Public Record Office number is "HO 1/INDEX" which is contained on fiche numbers 1882 to 1938 in the Kew List.
 
Records of denization or naturalization at the Family History Library are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:
 
;ENGLAND - NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP


== References  ==
== References  ==
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{{reflist}}  
{{reflist}}  


[[Category:United_Kingdom]] [[Category:England]] [[Category:Scotland]] [[Category:Wales]]
[[Category:England]] [[Category:Scotland]] [[Category:Wales]]
[[Category:Naturalization_and_Citizenship Records by Country]]
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