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 ---------- > From: Steve Way <stepway@box.net.au> > To: NJESSEX-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Naturalizations > Date: Tuesday, December 22, 1998 8:08 AM > > > Can anyone enlighten me on what was the common practice for Foreigners > (Germans in particular) becoming Naturalized in the 1870's. > > I have obtained a copy of the 1874 naturalization certificate (Essex Court > of Common Pleas) for Louis VonderWerth which states that he "has resided > within the United States five years at least, and within the State of New > Jersey one year at least....". > > Was this time frame strictly adhered to? > > I also have a copy of an 1870 document of the "Intention to become a > Citizen of the United States" (State of New York). This latter document > seemed to have been a necessary part of the process to obtain > Naturalization, as it seemed to provide the proof that the applicant had > truly resided in the US for 5 years. Is this correct? > > At what stage did most migrants sign the Intention document? Was it > strongly suggested to them to do this as soon as they got off their ship? > Were leaflets given to the migrants as they arrived? Was it advertised in > newspapers, or did people just find out over time that it would be in their > best interests to do so? > > How long after their arrival would the migrants normally have lodged the > "Intention documents"? > > I am a little surprised (and disappointed!!!!) that these documents do not > state the country or origin, arrival dates, or the name of the ship that > the applicant arrived on. Have I missed something? > > Thanks in advance, > > Steve. > > I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. > > > ==== NJESSEX Mailing List ==== > Visit the Essex County Genealogy Web Site at: > <http://www.rootsweb.com/~njessex/> > >