Did you know that up until January 1, 1947, everyone who was born in Canada was considered a British subject?

The history of naturalization in Canada begins in 1868, one year after Canada becomes a country. Despite no longer being a colony, one did not naturalize to become a citizen of Canada but to become a British Subject. This would not change until 1947. My English ancestors came to Canada in 1911 and did not have to naturalize, because they were merely moving from one part of the Commonwealth to another, so looking for a naturalization record for them would be fruitless.

It is interesting to note who was not able to naturalize: “persons with disabilities” a category that included “married women, minors, lunatics and idiots” (1). Until 1947, A woman’s nationality depended on the status of her husband. (2) Until that time, if a Canadian-born woman married someone without Canadian citizenship, she would lose her Canadian citizenship. Thus, if you are looking for Canadian naturalization records, be sure that the person was not already a British Subject or a woman.

Naturalization records are a fantastic genealogical resource. Library and Archives Canada maintains three databases to search for these records. Original records prior to 1917 have been destroyed, however, there are index cards with some of the information from the original records. After 1917 original records are available and contain much richer genealogical information. All these records can be accessed by writing to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (3)

If you’re looking for a naturalization record, head to the correct database and find the person you are looking for. Once you have found them, you will have all the required information to write a letter (surname, given name, date and place of birth, and, if known, the number of the naturalization certificate including the alphabetic Series identifier and the “F” suffix if the certificate was issued in French) requesting a copy of the original document with regards to Access to Information.

Send your snail mail to:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Access to Information and Privacy Division

Ottawa, ON K1A 1L1

The cost for the record is 5$ (payable to the Receiver General for Canada). Note that proof of death is required regardless of the age of the person who naturalized, and they must have been deceased for at least 20 years. Proof can be copy of a death record, a newspaper obituary or a photograph of the gravestone showing name and death date. Also, only Canadian citizens are eligible to send away for these records. If you are not a Canadian citizen, you can hire a local genealogist (*ahem*) to do so on your behalf.

Sources:

1. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Naturalization Act, 1914 (https://pier21.ca/research/immigration-history/naturalization-act-1914 : accessed 14 June 2019)
2. Historica Canada, The Canadian Encyclopedia (https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/citizenship : accessed 14 June 2019), “Canadian Citizenship”
3. Library and Archives Canada, Immigration (http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/citizenship-naturalization-records/Pages/introduction.aspx : accessed 14 June 2019), “Citizenship and Naturalization Records”