Early NSW naturalisation records now online

Becoming an Australian citizen as such, first occurred only when the Nationality and Citizenship Act was passed in 1949, as the huge post-war migration flow started but the first confirmation of civil rights began as far back as 1834.

Between 1834 and 1903 many of

Australia’s pioneers had to acquire a Certificate of Naturalisation to receive the rights and privileges of a natural born British subject, including the right to purchase land and vote.

From Federation in 1901 these rights and privileges were granted subject to Australian law and not British citizenship, but until 1949 both born and naturalised Australians were British subjects.

Since 1949 more than four million people have been naturalised as Australian citizens.

The records of around 6,000 people who were naturalised in

New South Wales between 1834 and 1903 are available to check on the website:

www.ancestry.com.au.