I wrote IronWorld, using the reel, volume, code and page I got off the St Louis naturalization index. I thought I would get numbers that could be used to access each individual naturalization file. I'm not sure what I got. The older form is for Nikolaus Bengtson (as written by the Dist Court, 11th Judicial Dist) signed 11 Sept 1897 as Nick Benson. This appears to have been a narrow form. The copied page includes the bottom of the previous form (signed 11 Sept 1897 by Olof Gulbrandson and John Stark. Olof is Nick's son-in-law and John is distantly related by marriage and is also a neighbor.) The top of the following form is also made out for Nickolaus Bengtson. The newer form resembles a certificate and is also from the Dist Court, 11th Judicial Dist. It is for John Hjalmar Nelson, lists port of entry and month and year of entry. It is signed 15 Sept 1906. (Was he trying to get this done before INS went into effect?) Can anyone tell me what I should have asked for at IronWorld and what did I actually get? And when I get the numbers I need, which repository I need to contact? I had thought Chicago, but now I'm not so sure. Advance thanks to you experienced in naturalization searches. I thought I was using the 2 easiest/most recent to locate and following instructions that have previously gone through this loop. When I get this under control, I'm after earlier emigrants. d'Argently yours, Dee

I've used those numbers and obtained naturalization paperwork. Not sure what you got but a naturalization file can contain one or more of the following: Petition for Naturalization or Citizenship Request, Intent form, certificate of arrival form. Access the INS website to find out where the records might be housed; much depends on the years and state. Hope this helps. Darlene S Poff wrote: > I wrote IronWorld, using the reel, volume, code and page I got off the St > Louis naturalization index. I thought I would get numbers that could be used > to access each individual naturalization file. I'm not sure what I got. > > The older form is for Nikolaus Bengtson (as written by the Dist Court, 11th > Judicial Dist) signed 11 Sept 1897 as Nick Benson. This appears to have been > a narrow form. The copied page includes the bottom of the previous form > (signed 11 Sept 1897 by Olof Gulbrandson and John Stark. Olof is Nick's > son-in-law and John is distantly related by marriage and is also a > neighbor.) The top of the following form is also made out for Nickolaus > Bengtson. > > The newer form resembles a certificate and is also from the Dist Court, 11th > Judicial Dist. It is for John Hjalmar Nelson, lists port of entry and month > and year of entry. It is signed 15 Sept 1906. (Was he trying to get this > done before INS went into effect?) > > Can anyone tell me what I should have asked for at IronWorld and what did I > actually get? And when I get the numbers I need, which repository I need to > contact? I had thought Chicago, but now I'm not so sure. > > Advance thanks to you experienced in naturalization searches. I thought I > was using the 2 easiest/most recent to locate and following instructions > that have previously gone through this loop. When I get this under control, > I'm after earlier emigrants. > > d'Argently yours, Dee