More Than a Name: NSW Naturalisation Records
The system of naturalisation in NSW was established in 1849 with the passing of the Act to Amend the Laws relating to Aliens. Naturalisation allowed ‘aliens’ (that is, non-British subjects) to gain the same privileges and rights of citizenship held by British subjects or people born in NSW, such as the right to vote and the right to own land.
The State Archives Collection holds records relating to naturalisation up to 1903. This webinar showcases the various naturalisation records held, including original applications for naturalisation, and advises what you may be able to discover about your immigrant ancestors in the collection.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:26 Overview
0:53 What is naturalisation?
02:27 Historical timeline
06:27 Naturalisation index
10:30 Letters of denization
15:49 Register of certificates of naturalisation
17:15 Lists of naturalization certificates
18:59 Certificates of naturalisation
20:36 Applications for denization and naturalisation
26:40 Case study: Sebastian Schubach
35:15 Case study: Caroline Peral
40:08 Summary
Naturalization index 1834-1903
Non British subjects who wished to vote or own land needed to be naturalized. Search c10,000 entries in the index
Naturalization & citizenship guide
Naturalization records are a good source of information for tracing details of an immigrant's arrival and native place. This guide lists the key records in our collection relating to naturalization, 1834-1903