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Arkansas, County Naturalizations - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Arkansas, County Naturalizations, 1897-1934
CID5000154
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Arkansas,
United States
Flag of Arkansas
Flag of Arkansas
Locator map of Arkansas
Location of Arkansas
Record Description
Record Type Naturalization
Collection years 1897-1935
FamilySearch Resources
Content Resources
Related Websites
Archive
Multiple Circuit Clerks


What is in This Collection?

This collection consist of images and index of petitions for naturalization, declarations of intention, and other naturalization records held at county courthouses in Madison and Washington counties.

Before 1906, immigrants could naturalize in any court that performed naturalizations including city, county, state and federal courts. As a result they often selected the most convenient court. If they lived in the Eastern District but worked elsewhere, they may have gone to a court closer to work. To begin, look for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant lived. If the county has an index search it first. Next look for the petition (second papers), because they are usually easier to find in courts near where the immigrant eventually settled.

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship. Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.

No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters. The information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility

FamilySearch provides images and indexes subject to contractual limitations and changes. Access to images and indexes may vary. Some collections may only have partial indexes without images. See Restrictions for Viewing Images for details.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:
Petition

  • Name of the petitioner
  • Residence
  • Country of birth
  • Place and date of arrival
  • Names of two witnesses
  • Petition number
  • Date of petition
  • Volume and page number of the petition

Declarations of intent and naturalization petitions

  • Name of the immigrant
  • Country of birth
  • Arrival date
  • Date of Declaration of Intent or Naturalization
  • Names of witnesses
  • Signature of judge or court official
  • Birth date
  • Birthplace
  • Age
  • Race
  • Last foreign residence
  • Current residence
  • Arrival place
  • Marital status
  • Name of spouse
  • Maiden name of wife
  • Birth date of spouse
  • Residence of spouse

Collection Content

Inventory

This table lists all the folders included in this collection. The link in the DGS column will open a new window where you can see the images.

Film Item DGS Collection County
1035189 3 7117320 Naturalization petition and record, 1909-1926 Madison
1034345 1 7783871 Naturalization Records, 1927-1934 Washington
1034345 2 7783871 Declarations of Intention, 1897-1914 Washington

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • Name of the person
  • Approximate date of the event

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.
  1. Enter the information in the fields in the Search Collection section or click More Options to see additional fields
  2. Click Search to show possible matches

How Do I Analyze the Results?

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

  • Add any new information to your records
  • If available, check the image for additional information
  • Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

  • Try searching by surname only
  • The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
  • Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps

The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Arkansas.

Other FamilySearch Collections

These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

  • American Naturalization Records, 1790-1990: what they are and how to use them, John J. Newman. Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1998. FS Library book 973 P47na

FamilySearch Historical Records

FamilySearch Digital Library

  • Locating your immigrant ancestor : a guide to naturalization records, James C. Neagles and Lila Lee Neagles. Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, c1986 FamilySearch Digital Library

Citing This Collection

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.
Record Citation:
When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.
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