Genealogy Chat

He would hold dual citizenship. In 1901, if his father was a British citizen, then he could claim British citizenship. (In 1975, the claim had to be made before the child's 21st birthday, but the law has since changed - e.g., I think it now only takes one British parent, not one British father.) Also, under the 14th amendment to the US constitution, children born in the USA are American citizens. This amendment came into effect shortly after the American civil war, and was primarily intended to give citizenship to recently freed slaves. I don't know your ancestor's details, but the father might also have held dual citizenship, but not divulged that directly on the census.

Well, of course, sometimes people SAID they were British Citizens, or British Subjects when in fact they were not - the enumerator didnt ask them to prove it. OC

Thanks OC, His father was American and George was born in the US. I wondered if he had to have some sort of BC to stay in the country and attend school, beacause it states born in US/British citizen on the census. OC&G

You take your citizenship from your father - if your father is a BS then so are you, by default. OC

Thanks Reg, If I am on the right track I have him in a boarding school for the 1901 census. What I woukd like to find out is why he has British citizenship; his father whose 2nd wife is British does not. OC&G

The birth should be registered and you should find it on findmypast in the overseas section. Reg

In the 1901 census my ancestor is recorded as born in the US /British citizen, anyone know where I could find any info. or records on this ? Thanks OC&G