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Name change or naturalisation?

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Aileen

Aileen Report 3 Dec 2003 15:39

My German gt. grandfather changed the family name at some stage. Would he have had to have been naturalised to be able to change names?Are there any records that I can look up online to find out when this happened? Someone also mentioned this morning that they had checked records for naturalisation at Kew. Can anyone kindly tell me how to go about this and what info I might find out if I were to make a visit? Thank you - Aileenx

Janet

Janet Report 3 Dec 2003 16:39

My great grandfather came from Germany too. On the Census returns it shows his place of birth as Germany, followed by BS, which I understand stands for British Subject. I'm now waiting for the naturalisation papers to be put on line some time after next March, in the hope of finding out more about him, as I haven't been able to get any further back than him in the 1881. Jan.

Sue (Sylvia Z )

Sue (Sylvia Z ) Report 3 Dec 2003 18:36

Hi Aileen I have been to Kew to try and find out about name change,etc. You did not have to do this legally,but some did according to the helpful man there,however ,there are reference books in a section on the top floor, which will give you a number to order the relevant book/document to look at. It may be worth you going on their website to see what they have. You can also register for your reader's ticket on line to save time. I warn you now that time passes very quickly when at Kew, so don't think you can get through loads of searching!!! Sue

Aileen

Aileen Report 4 Dec 2003 08:57

Thank you Jan and Sylvia for your replies-have only just been able to get back on son's computer!!! My grandfather showed up on census as FS (foreign subject) so I am not sure if he was ever naturalised . I shall await March with baited breath for online records and maybe plan a trip or 20 to kew next summer! Your have both been very helpful so thanks again. Aileenx