THE CERTIFICATE OF LOYALIST DESCENT

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Some people will describe how while doing family research they learned of an ancestor who was a United Empire Loyalist.  They then decided to obtain a Certificate of Loyalist Descent, also known as a UE Certificate, from the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada (UELAC) to confirm this ancestry.  That wasn't my experience. I found out about Loyalist ancestry from a parent, my mother, which was the way likely many did in the early years of the UELAC. 

                                    1934 Certificate 
     
By a UELAC certificate issued on 14 September 1934 Francis Bond Head Wilson was proposed for, balloted and elected a  member of this Association.   It was founded in 1914 by Canadians as a group dedicated to recognition of the contribution United Empire Loyalists made to Canada. In later years, as concern was expressed about the veracity of some members ancestral connection and there was a growing interest in genealogy, documented proofs were required.

                  2014 Certificate 

As appears in photo of my UELAC Certificate above it indicates that I have provided acceptable documentation proving descent. Membership in the Association became open to anyone who paid the fee.  After you are a member, if you are interested in having a Certificate, once you apply with acceptable genealogical documents, one of the type I received is issued.  The older type, which confirmed your election into the Association, was discontinued. 

The UELAC has issued thousands of UE Certificates with the number constantly increasing as new members prove their ancestry. Some of these include:

David Kanowakeron Hill Morrison,  National Board of UELAC member , in 1993, was issued a UE Certificate confirming his descent from Mohawk leader Joseph Thayendanegea Brant.

Ed Holder, Mayor of London, Ontario (2018 - 2022) and former member of Parliament of Canada representing London West was granted his Certificate in 2013. His United Empire Loyalist ancestor was Jacob Holder, UE. 

Queen Camilla, wife of King Charles III, received a UE Certificate in 2009 from the UELAC during visit to Ontario. She is descended from Reverend John Stuart, UE and Ephraim Jones, UE. 

A listing of Certificates from December 2012 can be viewed at Loyalist Certificates.





Further Reference:

James Humphrey - Loyalist Soldier in Jessup's Rangers by Brian McConnell, UE 

Loyalist Certificates information provided by UELAC, accessed 15 March 2026

The United Empire Loyalists & You
by Brian McConnell,  UE 



Historian; Genealogist; Author; Member of United Empire Loyalists ' Association of Canada, Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia, Ontario Genealogical Society, Ulster Historical & Genealogical Guild (Life)

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