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1915-1932 Canadian Naturalization Online Help
Databases
The search engine grants access to two databases.
Full Name
This database contains all names that occurred:
- in the 1915 to 1920 lists that were published in order of certificate number; and
- in all supplementary lists of special cases that were added at the end of the normal annual lists for all years from 1915 to 1932.
Information on these people has been entered and is searchable by name, given name and country.
Page Index
From 1921 to 1932, the annual lists presented surnames in alphabetical order. This database was created by indexing the FIRST and LAST surnames appearing on each page.
Search Screen
The search screen allows you to explore both databases at one time.
You can fill in three different fields:
Surname
Given name
Country
To search the databases, enter one or more of the above items in the appropriate field.
Expect spelling variations. Use the wildcard character $, for example, Sm$th for Smith/Smyth, Fred$ for Fred/Frederick/Fredrick.
You can narrow the search by including additional search terms but keep in mind that if your request is too specific you may rule out possibilities of which you are unaware. When you have entered your search terms, click on "Submit query." The number of hits found will be shown at the top of the results screen.
How to Interpret the Search Results
Your search results will be displayed in a summary list for both databases. The results from the "Full name" database will appear first followed by the results from the "Page index" database. Then, you will be able to access the digitized pages of the naturalization lists by using Acrobat Reader [www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html]. You will have a choice between a low resolution image and a high resolution image.
Results Summary List for "Full Name"
The results summary list, sorted by column, contains identification elements that will allow you
to rapidly assess how relevant are the names retrieved. The identification elements are: surname, given name, year and country. You may view a PDF image, in low or high resolution, of the page on which the name occurs by clicking on the corresponding link for each page.
Results Summary List for "Page Index"
The results summary list, sorted by column, contains a list of all pages that contain the surname of interest to you. Typically this will be one page per year, unless the surname spans several pages in a year. The first column corresponds to the surname listed at the top of the page, the second column to the surname listed at the bottom of the page. For each result, you may view a PDF image, in low or high resolution, of the page on which that series of names occur by clicking on the corresponding link for each page.
The Digitized Pages
Most pages will include the following information:
- name;
- country of origin or for a wife/child, the relationship to the person being naturalized;
- date that the certificate was issued, or the date that the oath of allegiance was taken;
- occupation;
- residence;
- certificate number and series.
If no certificate number is listed, check if the entry refers you to another surname. Sometimes, when a person changed his surname, both names are listed, but only one entry includes the certificate number.
Some Tips
- It is possible, for example, to search for alternative spellings of names using the wildcard
characters, as explained above under "Search screen." Also consider variations of given names, for example, Jan, Ivan, Johan and Johannes for John.
- To be naturalized in the period covered by the database, a person must have lived in Canada
for five years.
- By giving a location, the naturalization list allows researchers to consult information found
in other resources such as local histories, the 1940 National Registration, directories, voters lists, vital records, and of course, the naturalization documents. Consult Sources by Topic for information about those records.
What If Your Ancestor's Name Is Not Listed?
- Perhaps this person was naturalized before 1915 or after 1932. You can request that a search
be done by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
- Try searching for the names of the spouse or children.
- If the person was a British subject by birth, he or she had no need to be naturalized.
- Many immigrants lived in Canada without applying for naturalization, as it was not mandatory.
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