Jared, In which census record did you find the date of 1874 given for naturalization? The only census year that I know of which has a column for the year of naturalization is 1920 - but the 1920 census also has a column for date of immigration. Is it possible that you confused the date given for immigration with naturalization? 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 census all include a column for the person's year of immigration to the U.S. 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 census all indicate a person's naturalization status - Al for Alien (not naturalized), Pa for first papers, and Na for naturalized As for tracking down naturalization records...you may find this page from the PA State Archives site to be helpful: http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/naturali.htm You will have greater luck in locating these if you can confirm the date and narrow down the location. If your gggrandfather did indeed immigrate between 1871 and 1874 then he most likely did not become naturalized in 1874 as you had to live in this country for 5 years first. He may have filed his first papers, however, as there was only a 2-year time period imposed. You can learn more about naturalization laws and records at the sites listed here: http://genealogy.about.com/cs/naturalization/ Hope this helps! Kimberly Kimberly Powell Genealogy Guide About - The Human Internet http://genealogy.about.com -----Original Message----- From: Jared Scheel [mailto:jscheel@cox.net] Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 10:50 PM To: PAGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Naturalization help Hi All, I need some advise on finding naturalization papers in Pennsylvania. My great-great-grandfather John Scheel immigrated from Germany to America sometime between 1871 & 1874. According to census records he filed for his naturalization or took the oath somewhere in Pennsylvania in 1874. I don't know for sure which it was. I don't have a clue where in Pennsylvania he filed. I also have check the "Germans to America" books to find out when for sure he immigrated but unfortunately he is not listed in them. Does anyone have any ideas how I should proceed in finding his naturalization papers? Thanks for your time, Jared Scheel Kansas