I have a large number of Naturalization Records posted on my Web site. You can take a look and get an idea of what is included. It did vary! Sandy Hart, RootsWeb Sponsor http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/5372/ PA-ENGLE,COVERT,DEVENS,MACK,KNERR/KANARR,FISK, NJ/NY-HART,KEEHNER,KINNEY,DENNIS,MORRISON,PECK -----Original Message----- From: dmd <dmd@access-one.com> To: NJESSEX-L@rootsweb.com <NJESSEX-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, December 22, 1998 9:46 PM Subject: Re: Naturalizations >I believe you are incorrect about the two year residential requirement. >Otherwise, one would not find Declaration of Intent at the port of entry. A >minimum of 5 years for naturalization is correct. All else, I find to be >correct as well. I have found some documents revealing a lot and others >almost useless as far as genealogy is concerned. >Dee > >---------- >> From: Linda C. Ruscitto <ruscitto@buffnet.net> >> To: dmd <dmd@access-one.com>; NJESSEX-L@rootsweb.com >> Subject: Re: Naturalizations >> Date: Tuesday, December 22, 1998 8:24 PM >> >> Hi Dee and "list", >> >> You are almost correct about naturalizations. >> In general.... naturalization took a minimum of 5 years. First, the alien >> had to reside in the US for 2 years before filing a "declaration of >intent" >> (first papers). Second, after an additional 3 years, he/she could >"petition >> for naturalization." These are usually the only two records to be found, >as >> the actual certificate of naturalization was given to the alien. >> >> An alien could be naturalized in ANY court (state or federal) - and was >> usually performed in the one most convenient to where the alien resided. >> Prior to 1922, wives and children were automatically naturalized with >> their husband/father. (their names did NOT have to be listed on any >> document. In fact, prior to 1906, they were rarely included in the >> declarations or petitions.) >> >> Unfortunately, most naturalizations prior to 1906, contain very little >> information. In most cases they merely state the name of the "government" >> that the alien renounces allegiance to. Some will give the date of >arrival >> and port, and a few will give a date of birth (or age). I have seen a few >> naturalization papers from the mid-west (ca. 1880's) that gave a complete >> physical description of the alien, but these are not common. >> >> For more complete information visit the National Archives website at >> <http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/natural.html> >> >> hope this helps, >> Linda >> E Amherst, NY >> >> >> At 08:07 AM 12/22/98 -0600, dmd wrote: >> >A Declaration of Intent to become a citizen was usually filed with the >> >court in the city where the person entered the United States. They >> >declaring their intention to become a citizen. They had to remain for a >> >total of five years before they could file naturalization papers. >Sometimes >> >a long way from where they entered the U.S. Occassionally, you will find >> >both sets of papers in the court a long way from a port. In that event, >I >> >think the person went directly (perhaps within a group or to family) to >> >their intended destination. >> >In the case of one of my family members, the father is the one that >filed >> >the Declaration of Intent and when it was time for citizenship, he filed >> >naturalization papers which included the entire family. Both sets of >papers >> >were in the Kansas courts. >> >These were and I believe, are federal laws that continue to be adhered >to. >> >If you find only the naturalization papers, then the search needs to be >> >centered toward various ports of entry of where you believe your family >> >previously lived. >> >Sometimes these papers, between them, provide information to all your >> >questions. Sometimes not. >> >Hope this helps you and others in your search. >> >Dee Doyle > > >==== NJESSEX Mailing List ==== >Visit the Essex County Genealogy Web Site at: ><http://www.rootsweb.com/~njessex/> > > >