Melville, I just read somewhere, (Passenger Lists Port of Entry information) passports weren't a requirement until late 1800s/early1900s.. I can't remember the exact date, sorry, but a person could get a passport if they wanted to. I don't know if they had to be a Citizen of U.S. to get one or not. Evidently, Citizenship wasn't a priority in the 1800's, especially since you only had to Declare Intent to vote. My GGgrandfather says he is a Citizen on the 1870 Green Co. Census, but I did not find him on the "Declaration of Intent" Green Co., Index! Where does one go from there? Ellen > > You are absolutely right. I just got word from UWSP Archives and they > told me the same thing. The good news they found my George Rhodes > Declaration of Intent. > I'm also curious why folks never bothered to become a citizen? Were there > expenses involved? Were there little benefits in becoming a citizen? Was > duel citizenship allowed in those days? If these folks travelled abroad > was it easy for them to get back into the US? Was there something like > the "Green Card" we have today? Could one get a passport with only a > Declaration of Intent?