THE CERTIFICATE OF LOYALIST DESCENT
Some people will describe how while doing family genealogy 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.
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.
Further Reference:
Loyalist Certificates information provided by UELAC, accessed 15 March 2026
by Brian McConnell, UE
