Migration

Overview

Alien registration record card

At the outbreak of World War One, all aliens over 16 were required to register at local police stations and to demonstrate a good character and knowledge of English. This was partly due to a fear of spies.

Did you know?

• The Security Service (MI5) kept files on suspected German agents during the war years, including those of Mata Hari, whose file can be seen at The National Archives.
• More than 32,000 alien men were interned during World War One.
• German and German-Jewish public figures felt compelled to declare their support for Britain in 'Loyalty Letters' published in The Times.
• 28,744 aliens were repatriated at the outbreak of war, of these 23,571 were Germans.

Naturalisation papers

Applications to become a denizen or naturalised subject of Britain are at The National Archives. Here you can often find information on where an applicant was born, along with names of their immediate family and their British address. Memorial records are closed between 1923-1948, but can be viewed on application to the Home Office. Duplicate naturalisation certificates are also available.

For further information:

• http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=242
• http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletID=243

Alien registration documents

Under the terms of the Aliens Registration Act, aliens were required to register with the local police, providing details of their name, address, marital status and employment. Photographs were often included. Since registration took place at a local level, surviving lists of aliens will be found in the relevant county archive, or where historic police records are deposited. The National Archives holds policy papers for the Home Office, along with sample registration lists for the Metropolitan Police.

For further information:

• http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=240

To search many Aliens’ registration cards online:

• http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline

To search the National Register of Archives for records:

• http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/

To search A2A:

• http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/

Sources for wartime refugees

One of the reasons behind the changes to legislation in 1914 was the imminent threat of war. Many refugees came to Britain from the German-occupied countries, especially Belgium and France, and local committees were established to look after them.

For further information:

• http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=312

To search the National Register of Archives for records:

• http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/

To search A2A:

• http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/