This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: van Raalte, Hanau Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.tompkins/5046.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi kh440, Thank you for the suggestion; it seems quite likely that this is the same person. He is in fact listed as "van ralter" in the 1860 census. Unfortunately the census do not list home address in 1870 and he was deceased before 1880. His wife and children continued to live in NYC but this specific address does not match. However, there is no other Benjamin van Raalte in NYC in those days so it remains likely. MY commnet that "they were not naturalized" was based on a statement from his wife Julis in the 1900 or 1910 census that SHE was never naturalized. Now please tell me what I can do to learn more from this document: can I access it via Internet or must I go to New York to see it? What is the reference to the Queen of England and the witness? Have you persoanlly seen this document? Does it mention anything about his birth or parents? Regards, John van Raalte