In a message dated 5/14/2006 9:52:03 AM US Eastern Standard Time, grami948@toledosuper.net writes: I'm not clear of the reasoning behind filing only the Intent papers over finishing the entire process. Hi Sheila Personal choice most likely; no need or advantage to pursue citizenship in his particular case perhaps. My great-grandfather did the same thing. In his case, it was obvious from the film records (in this case, from the Court where filed) that a bunch of men, all from the same place of employment, went to the courthouse on the same day to file Decl. of Intent. I've read that some employers did this, ie. had a group file all at the same time -- whether it was to aid the immigrants, or whether from some personal patriotic drive, I have no idea. Either way, there has never been a law that requires a foreign national to become a citizen. There are of course professions and other personal choices that require citizenship, but it's still personal choice. If you haven't done it yet, you may want to check the 1930 census and see what it says. A person filing their first papers could then file their petition in any other court authorized to do so. If you got the documentation from the INS, then his file is likely complete, -- assuming that the court where he may have filed his Petition sent the paperwork to the Feds as they were supposed to do after 1906. Best regards Linda