Naturalisation records through the New Zealand archives can be interesting records especially when they can provide more information about the family member and their origins. One such naturalisation record occurred during the war years of World War One in New Zealand. One such person was Jorgen Albert Jorgensen. Jorgen's relationship to me as I probably should point out is Father in law of 1st great grand uncle, which would be a mouthful
Jorgen Albert Jorgensen applied for citizenship in June of 1914 for New Zealand. At the time he was 36 and had arrived in New Zealand on the 2nd of March 1904 onboard the SS Athenic and he was from Denmark. At the time he made the application he was a builder in Palmerston North. Jorgen was in business with Frederich Wesche also from Denmark had been naturalised in June 1908. When claiming to be naturalised in New Zealand people needed to provide details about their origins including place of birth and where they were currently living. Then they needed a letter from a magistrate or Justice stating they were a person of good character. As the war progressed naturalisation applications were suspended by the Massey government.[1]
An interesting note I came across within the naturalisation record of Jorgen, was that apparently no naturalisations took place during the war years in New Zealand though the letter was in November of 1914. A J. W. Black stated no exemptions could be made about naturalisations due to the war.[2] Upon further reading it turns out that During World War One applications had been placed on hold. In August 1914 There were newspaper reports that naturalisation papers would be delayed during the continuation of the war.[3] During the period of world war one, a person’s origins could work against them even if they were naturalised in New Zealand. They were considered to be enemy aliens by the government with restrictions that include having to report to the police or even removed from place of employment if it was considered to be sensitive towards the countries security.[4] People who had parents born of German origins were also turned down during the war for military service. People were harassed and denied employment during the war period. The view was ‘once a German, always a German’.[5]
Amongst the naturalisation file there was a group of names of other people including on John Alfred Gustavson that was apparently hostile towards the British at the beginning of the war, so his application couldn’t be recommended. I couldn’t find any information about the man in the newspapers, or even through the parliamentary papers, although he does have a file between 1914 and 1922. He was naturalised in November 1922. Another name that came across as really familiar was a Charles William Borreson who also lived in Palmerston North and had married another family member not related to the Jorgensen’s.
During the war period he wasn’t granted citizenship, but there were letters sent between 1914 and 1919 asking about his status. A letter sent to the Department of internal affairs states that Jorgen was a Dane who was respected and a builder in Palmerston North desired to become a British subject. An interesting note in June 1914 is that Jorgen’s wife isn’t required to apply for citizenship of New Zealand as it automatically occurs when the husband is naturalised. The last letter in 1919 from the magistrate states the police informed him that Jorgen Jorgensen had passed away in June 1917.
Jorgen Albert Jorgensen passed away due to an illness in 1917, so he didn’t end up becoming naturalised in New Zealand. His wife Fanny would go on to be remarried in 1918 to Frederich Wesche who was also a business partner of Jorgen’s.
Sources
Jorgen Jorgensen naturalisation New Zealand Archives
Frederich Wesche Naturalisation New Zealand Archives
Baker, Paul ‘King and Country Call New Zealanders, Conscription and the Great War’, Auckland University Press, Auckland, 1988.
Francis, Andrew ‘To be truly British we must be anti-German New Zealand, Enemy Aliens and the Great War Experience, 1914 - 1919’, Peter Lang, Bern, 2012.
Naturalisations Grant of letters may be delayed, Otago Daily Times, 7 August 1914, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19140807.2.21, accessed 13/02/2025.
[1] Andrew Francis, ‘To be truly British we must be anti-German New Zealand, Enemy Aliens and the Great War Experience, 1914 - 1919’, 2012, p.69 – 74.
[2] Jorgensen Jorgensen naturalisation, page 7.
[3] Naturalisations Grant of letters may be delayed, Otago Daily Times, 7 August 1914, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19140807.2.21, accessed 13/02/2025.
[4] Andrew Francis, ‘To be truly British we must be anti-German New Zealand, Enemy Aliens and the Great War Experience, 1914 - 1919’, 2012, p.70
[5] Paul Baker, ‘King and Country Call New Zealanders, Conscription and the Great War’, Auckland University Press, 1988, p. 223.
