My ancestors all arrived when the naturalization process was conducted through the county in the state of residence. Beginning near the end of 1906, the federal government took on the naturalization process. These days we don't like government paperwork, and it's a hassle no matter the year, but I would be thrilled if I had an ancestor's information that had been required for naturalization.
I discovered what I'm missing because I've been indexing naturalization records for FamilySearch, specifically New York Eastern District Naturalization Records from 1906 to 1957. Each batch of two takes less than five minutes to complete.
These are the documents usually included in an individual's file for naturalization through the U.S. Department of Labor, Immigration and Naturalization Service:
- Certificate of Arrival
- Declaration of Intention
- Affidavit of Witnesses
- Oath of Allegiance
- Petition for Naturalization
The Petition for Naturalization has the most information. And, bonus, it will likely be typed as opposed to handwritten. The forms changed over time but the basic information remained the same.
Applicant's Information found on Petition for Naturalization in the U.S.
- Full, true, correct name (which may also have previous names or a.k.a. names)
- Present address
- Occupation
- Age
- Date of birth
- Location of birth, including city/town, county/district/province/state, and country
- Sex
- Color
- Complexion
- Eye color
- Hair color
- Height
- Weight
- Distinctive marks
- Race
- Present nationality
- Last place of foreign residence
- From where entered the U.S.
- Location of entry into the U.S.
- Entered the U.S. under the name of .....
- Signature
- Spouse's name (if married)
- Marriage date and location
- Spouse's birth location (city/town, county/district/province/state, country)
- Spouse's birth date
- Date and location spouse entered the U.S.
- Spouse's address
- Spouse's naturalization date and location
- Names of children, their ages, and locations of birth.
Sometimes there will not be a current date on the Petition for Naturalization, but the Oath of Allegiance will have a date, and so will the Affidavit of Witnesses. Sometimes the witnesses will have the same surname.
Additionally, in later petitions, photographs of the applicant may be included.
Some of these facts would be fun or interesting to have--height, weight, scars--but other information will help a researcher go back one more generation. A date and location of birth and marriage will indicate when and where to begin searching in other countries for births and marriages. Knowing prior names an individual used will aid the search as well. These records are a goldmine of information!
As I said, I'm envious of you if you have ancestors who chose to become naturalized citizens after 1906. If only my ancestors had immigrated 30 or 40 or 60 years later!
—Nancy.
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Nancy, my great-grandfather naturalized in 1892, and his naturalization petition also has very little information on it. Prior to 1906, every court used their own forms for declarations of intent and petitions for naturalization. Some (like those of my great-grandfather) only asked for the name and country from which one was renouncing citizenship. In September 1906, the federal government introduced standard forms for declarations and petitions. And it wasn't until 1929 that photographs were required on the declarations. This page has a good summary of information about declarations and petitions: https://libguides.mnhs.org/naturalization/s4.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, thanks so much for clarifying the dates. I'm not sure how I missed the 1906 date or why I thought it was 1890. I knew the photographs were later additions but I didn't know the date. I changed the dates to be accurate. Again, thank you!
DeleteNancy, thank YOU for your indexing work! I appreciate the reminder! I didn't realize there were naturalizations available to do right now, so I need to get on that! As you pointed out, they are such a wonderful source of information for immigrant ancestors.
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