Jan, Have you tried obtaining his naturalization records from the nearest regional site of NARA? I had no idea when a grandfather came in, only knew his birth date and where he lived in the states all his life (Boston). I emailed the nearest NARA office and they found his naturalization papers and included his certificate of arrival, which also showed the original spelling of his name, date of arrival, ship and port. I'm told sometimes you have to ask for that certificate of arrival, although it was included in all his paperwork. I couldn't find your Henry in Ellis Island or Castle Garden, but looks like from the census he naturalized in 1899, that info would help NARA find his file, and could indicate that he had come at least two years before, then being eligible to file a declaration of intent. He had to live her five years in total, including those first two, before petitioning for naturalization. I'm not sure whether the 1899 date is when he began the process or when it was finished. You can read how naturalizations were obtained at http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/naturalization/naturalization.html If NARA doesn't have him, his nearest County Court, State Supreme Court or Federal Court would hold the records. It takes some tracking down and I don't know how much you'll get from that early date. Now that I think about it, our grandfather came in 1913, after the 1906 date when a lot more is included. Still, if you can't find a manifest, it's the next best thing to creating a span of time when he might have arrived. Hope this helped. Susan In a message dated 12/1/06 1:40:26 PM, jrobison4@cfl.rr.com writes: > Hi, all, > > I'm new to the list. > > I am sooo frustrated!  I cannot find a record for the first time someone > arrived in the US. > > Henry C. Sailliez, b. 07 Feb 1859, Belgium, m. in Germany.  Had first child > in Germany. > > Is in New Jersey in the 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses. > > The census info shows he immigrated in either 1883, 1891 or 1892.  I have > exhausted all ways I know to locate an immigration record. > > I have found his wife and both children (one born in NJ) arriving in NY > aboard the Kensington in Sept., 1899, but that is the only record I can find. > > Anyone have any ideas? > > > Jan Robison > Sanford, Florida > Volunteer at Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness > www.raogk.com >

Susan, I wrote to Mercer County, NJ, asking about the naturalization records and here is a part of their reply: "Please be advised that you may obtain Naturalization records from 1898 at the NJ State Archives located at 225 W State St in Trenton or by calling them at 609-292-6265." Perhaps this will help someone else! The census records say he and his wife and first son were naturalized in 1898. Do you know if there any cost to obtain these records? Jan ----- Original Message ----- From: <NOSHOWCLC@aol.com> To: <germany-passenger-lists@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 9:43 PM Subject: Re: [G-P-L] New Lister here! ;) Jan, Have you tried obtaining his naturalization records from the nearest regional site of NARA? I had no idea when a grandfather came in, only knew his birth date and where he lived in the states all his life (Boston). I emailed the nearest NARA office and they found his naturalization papers and included his certificate of arrival, which also showed the original spelling of his name, date of arrival, ship and port. I'm told sometimes you have to ask for that certificate of arrival, although it was included in all his paperwork. I couldn't find your Henry in Ellis Island or Castle Garden, but looks like from the census he naturalized in 1899, that info would help NARA find his file, and could indicate that he had come at least two years before, then being eligible to file a declaration of intent. He had to live her five years in total, including those first two, before petitioning for naturalization. I'm not sure whether the 1899 date is when he began the process or when it was finished. You can read how naturalizations were obtained at http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/naturalization/naturalization.html If NARA doesn't have him, his nearest County Court, State Supreme Court or Federal Court would hold the records. It takes some tracking down and I don't know how much you'll get from that early date. Now that I think about it, our grandfather came in 1913, after the 1906 date when a lot more is included. Still, if you can't find a manifest, it's the next best thing to creating a span of time when he might have arrived. Hope this helped. Susan In a message dated 12/1/06 1:40:26 PM, jrobison4@cfl.rr.com writes: > Hi, all, > > I'm new to the list. > > I am sooo frustrated! I cannot find a record for the first time someone > arrived in the US. > > Henry C. Sailliez, b. 07 Feb 1859, Belgium, m. in Germany. Had first child > in Germany. > > Is in New Jersey in the 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses. > > The census info shows he immigrated in either 1883, 1891 or 1892. I have > exhausted all ways I know to locate an immigration record. > > I have found his wife and both children (one born in NJ) arriving in NY > aboard the Kensington in Sept., 1899, but that is the only record I can > find. > > Anyone have any ideas? > > > Jan Robison > Sanford, Florida > Volunteer at Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness > www.raogk.com > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GERMANY-PASSENGER-LISTS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/562 - Release Date: 12/1/2006 1:12 PM