Canada, British Columbia Naturalization Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The Canadian Citizenship Act of January 1, 1947 introduced Canadian citizenship to Canada. Prior to that time Canadians who were born in the United Kingdom were considered British subjects.

This collection includes naturalization records from the counties of Victoria and Cranbrook, British Columbia. It includes applications, oaths of allegiance, naturalization certificates and other documents. The collection will cover the years 1859-1926 when completely published.

Immigrants to Canada have never been required to apply for citizenship. Some nationalities were more likely to naturalize than others. Until 1947, settlers from Britain were considered citizens of Canada without needing to naturalize. Of those from other countries who applied, some did not complete the requirements for citizenship. Evidence that an immigrant completed citizenship requirements can be found in censuses, court minutes, homestead records, passports, voting registers, and military papers

For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information for collections published in FamilySearch.org. Source citations include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in this collection may include:

Applications:


 * Name of immigrant
 * Date of immigration
 * Residence
 * Place of origin
 * Date of arrival in United States

Oaths of allegiance:


 * Name of immigrant
 * Date of immigration
 * Residence
 * Years residing in United States

Naturalization certificates:


 * Name of immigrant
 * Date of immigration
 * Residence
 * Place of origin

After 1915 records may also include birth dates, birthplaces and other information about the immigrant and the immigrant’s family.

How to Use the Record
Before you search for your ancestor’s naturalization records, it is helpful to know the following:


 * The place where the event occurred
 * The name and surname of the person
 * The approximate date of the event
 * The name of the parents or spouse

If you don’t find your ancestor’s name, you may find emigration information on neighbors of your ancestor. Neighbors from the British Isles or Europe often settled together in Canada. Canadians who went to the United States sometimes settled in groups.

Searching the Images

To search the collection, select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select “County” ⇒ Select “Record Type, Box and File Numbers, and Years” that takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Related Websites

 * British Columbia Archives
 * Citizenship and Immigration Canada
 * Library and Archives Canada
 * Toronto Emigrant Office Assisted Immigration Registers Database
 * Ancestorsonboard.com -$

Related Wiki Articles

 * British Columbia Naturalization and Citizenship
 * Canada Naturalization and Citizenship
 * Canada Emigration and Immigration

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"British Columbia, Naturalization Records, 1859-1926," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 17 May 2012), Victoria &gt; Naturalization records Box 1, file 1, no 1 to Box 10, file 9, no 843, 1859-1896 &gt; Image 3012 of 3310, Lee Wohn record of Oath of Residence dated 30 May 1895; citing Information Management Services, British Columbia Naturalization Records, 1859-1926. British Columbia Archives, British Columbia.