Irish Citizenship through Descent

Hi all,

I hope to claim Irish citizenship through descent however I'm not sure I qualify.

My grandmother was born at sea on the Irish ferry coming to England to Irish parents, and her birth registered in England.

As I understand, a person born at sea will take his/her mother's nationality. Does the fact her birth was registered in England change anything, and should I still be able to claim Irish citizenship through descent?

Thanks in advance.

Which year was your grandmother born? Was it your paternal or maternal grandmother?

SandraRose wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2020 3:51 pm

Hi all,

I hope to claim Irish citizenship through descent however I'm not sure I qualify.

My grandmother was born at sea on the Irish ferry coming to England to Irish parents, and her birth registered in England.

As I understand, a person born at sea will take his/her mother's nationality. Does the fact her birth was registered in England change anything, and should I still be able to claim Irish citizenship through descent?

Thanks in advance.

Does it say on her birth certificate anything specifically about being "born at sea"?
And what year she was born will have a bearing on things as well. Maritime laws can be tricky too.
jgclancy

Thanks.

I haven't had sight of her actual birth certificate yet so unsure whether it states place of birth. I'm guessing if it doesn't state born at sea then it would be difficult to prove, and she won't be regarded as having a Irish citizenship? Would ferry records have been kept you think?

She was born 1890 and is my paternal grandmother.

SandraRose wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2020 4:29 pm

Thanks.

I haven't had sight of her actual birth certificate yet so unsure whether it states place of birth. I'm guessing if it doesn't state born at sea then it would be difficult to prove, and she won't be regarded as having a Irish citizenship? Would ferry records have been kept you think?

Yes, you should know what is written on the actual certificate before you do anymore. I'm sure you can order it. Until you have it you might also look for her parents Irish civil marriage record-freely available if recorded. Just to show they were married in Ireland before going to England. Not required for FBR but if it turns out you are eligible it would be a good thing to include anyway.
Probably no ferry records. People just paid and got on them like taking a bus now.
Good luck -if you need help finding her parents marriage just give me their names and area they lived.If it exists in civil records shouldn't be hard to find.

jgclancy

Shame about the ferry records as I'm sure that would have helped.
Thanks so much JGClancy for this advice. I'll look in to the wedding certificate and keep you updated

jgclancy wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:25 pm

SandraRose wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2020 4:29 pm

Thanks.

I haven't had sight of her actual birth certificate yet so unsure whether it states place of birth. I'm guessing if it doesn't state born at sea then it would be difficult to prove, and she won't be regarded as having a Irish citizenship? Would ferry records have been kept you think?

Yes, you should know what is written on the actual certificate before you do anymore. I'm sure you can order it. Until you have it you might also look for her parents Irish civil marriage record-freely available if recorded. Just to show they were married in Ireland before going to England. Not required for FBR but if it turns out you are eligible it would be a good thing to include anyway.
Probably no ferry records. People just paid and got on them like taking a bus now.
Good luck -if you need help finding her parents marriage just give me their names and area they lived.If it exists in civil records shouldn't be hard to find.

jgclancy

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