This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Whelan, Wheelan, Halloran, Knapp Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ig.2ADI/815 Message Board Post: On his Naturalization papers it states that James O. Halloran and what looks like R.M. Knapp say they are well aquainted with Cornelius Whelan and they have known him for 5 years immediatly preceding November 7th 1864. It also states that he came here as a minor under the age of 18. It goes onto say on the part about renouncing all alegieance to forigen powers etc, especially to Victoria, queen of Britan and Ireland. I am just wondering if i can pursue any information by looking into the apparent sponsers, or thier decendants or what frankly at this point being as the papers themselves are not doing me much good.

What a question! I would like to know that! I do have naturalization papers but I haven't found much helpful info on them! Julie If you get any ideas, please forward them! Julie :) [email protected] wrote: > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Surnames: Whelan, Wheelan, Halloran, Knapp > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ig.2ADI/815 > > Message Board Post: > > On his Naturalization papers it states that James O. Halloran and what looks like R.M. Knapp say they are well aquainted with Cornelius Whelan and they have known him for 5 years immediatly preceding November 7th 1864. > > It also states that he came here as a minor under the age of 18. > > It goes onto say on the part about renouncing all alegieance to forigen powers etc, especially to Victoria, queen of Britan and Ireland. > > I am just wondering if i can pursue any information by looking into the apparent sponsers, or thier decendants or what frankly at this point being as the papers themselves are not doing me much good. > > ==== ILJERSEY Mailing List ==== > If you need assistance, please contact: > Karima, List Administrator mailto:[email protected] > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

I am glad you asked this question. I have the same question about one of my ancestors Folkert . Gerdes who came I think in 1857 on ship Gerhard that arrived Nov. 6, 1857 in New Orleans and came on up the Mississippi to Alton and on up to various other ports. I found his intent to become a citizen and his naturalization papers in Menard Co. and they were of little real help other than to place him in this area Menard/Cass at a certain time, know that he renounced allegence to the King of Hannover which makes him from the Ostfriesland (North) area of Germany and to give the two witnesses as you mentioned. I have found no record of him from the time he arrived until he files intent in late 1860. He may have stopped along the River at some of the areas where there were German immigrants and worked to get money for land. I am wondering like you, if the witnesses can be a key. At 10:36 PM 4/11/2002 -0600, [email protected] wrote: >Date: 11 Apr 2002 22:36:36 -0600 >Subject: [ILJersey] Cornelius Whelan (Naturalization Papers)