Naturalization Records Date Back To 1790

Because we are truly a nation of immigrants, nearly every family historian will need to deal with immigrant ancestors sooner or later.

Naturalization records are the most logical place to obtain information on immigrant ancestors. While these records were created by the federal government, they could also be filed by the immigrant in any court - local, state or federal.

Searching through government records can be difficult, often tedious and always somewhat mystifying. So genealogists are fortunate to have two new books to help sort through naturalization records.

“They Became Americans: Finding Naturalization Records and Ethnic Origins” by Loretto Dennis Szucs is filled with quick reference tips. It’s published by Ancestry Inc. and can be ordered for $19.95, plus $4.95 postage, by calling 800-ANCESTRY or (800) 262-3787.

Some of Szucs’ tips:

Before beginning your search, learn as much as you can about the immigrant.

Since 1790, naturalizations have been performed according to federal law.

Before 1906, any federal, state or local court could naturalize aliens.

Declarations of intention were statements renouncing former national allegiance.

Such declarations usually weren’t required for those honorably discharged from the U.S. military or who entered the country as a minor.

After five years of residence, aliens could petition a court to be naturalized.

Naturalization petitions were statements declaring intention to become a citizen.

Many aliens waited more than the required five years to become naturalized.

Many who filed declarations of intention never completed the process by petitioning for naturalization.

When the petition was accepted, the applicant took the oath of allegiance and the court recorded the final naturalization order or certificate.

Between 1855 and 1922, a foreign-born woman automatically became a citizen if she married an American citizen.

Relatively few single women became naturalized before 1922, and married women could not be naturalized on their own unless they were widowed or divorced.

Former slaves were made citizens by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution in 1868.

Native Americans were made citizens by federal laws passed in 1887 and 1924.

After 1906, the standardized naturalization records contain more biographical information than earlier documents.

Another helpful book is “American Naturalization Records, 1790-1990,” by John J. Newman, an updated re-publication of his 1985 book. Published by Heritage Quest, the book - $12.95, plus $4.50 postage - can be ordered at P.O. Box 329, Bountiful, UT 84011, or by calling (800) 760-2455.

While both books cite examples of the many government forms, which greatly facilitates learning, each provides different tidbits of good information.

For example, Szucs writes that in 1860, New York City was the largest Irish city in the world. Of its 805,651 residents, some 203,760 were Irish-born.

The Newman book reports which state censuses offer naturalization information: Iowa in 1905, 1915 and 1925; Kansas for 1925; and Massachusetts in 1865. Seven other states have censuses with data fields helpful to determining citizenship.

Consider these books if you’re lost when researching your ancestors naturalization.