Nebraska, Naturalization Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Nebraska, Naturalization Records, 1855-1989
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Nebraska, 
United States
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Flag of the United States of America
US Flag 1912-1959 (48 stars)
US Flag 1912-1959 (48 stars)
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Location of the United States of America
Location of the United States of America
Record Description
Record Type Naturalization Records
Record Group RG 21: Records of the United States District Court
Collection years 1855-1989
FamilySearch Resources
Content Resources
Related Websites
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration


What is in This Collection?[edit | edit source]

This collection contains naturalization records of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska and are part of Record Group 21 Records of the United States District Court. Images were originally captured at the NARA Regional Archives facility in Kansas City, Missouri. Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

United States District Court Divisions

  • Chadron
  • Grand Island
  • Hastings
  • Lincoln
  • McCook
  • Norfolk
  • North Platte
  • Omaha

Related National Archives Collections - Omaha Division. District of Nebraska

National Archives at Kansas City

Name Indexes

While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information.

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Delaware’s counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship. The courts handling naturalization cases changed several times so the card index was created as a way to quickly access specific records.

The index is very accurate and 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.

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).

Index and Image Visibility[edit | edit source]

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?[edit | edit source]

The following information may be found in these records:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Country of birth
  • Date of arrival in the U.S.

Collection Content[edit | edit source]

Sample Images[edit | edit source]

  • 1900 Naturalization record

    1900 Naturalization record

Click on the image for a larger view.

Inventory[edit | edit source]

For a list of all the titles included in this Historical Records publication see Nebraska, Naturalization Records - Inventory

How Do I Search the Collection?[edit | edit source]

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • Name
  • Approximate age or birth date
  • Place of residence

Search the Index[edit | edit source]

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?[edit | edit source]

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?[edit | edit source]

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given.

  • Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members
  • In case you need to find this record again later, copy the citation below in the Citing This Collection section. It's always a good idea to keep your citation on a Research Log
  • Print or download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Add any new information to your records
  • Use the person's name and place of birth to find a birth certificate which should list the names of the parents
  • Use the country of citizenship to lead you to immigration or naturalization records
  • Use the person’s age and residence to find family in census, church, and land records
  • Use the marital information to find marriage records. Witnesses were often family members
  • When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct
  • Census, military service, military pension, immigration, naturalization, and land records can be very useful
  • Use employment information to lead you to trade, business, land, property, or education records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Look for variant spellings of the names. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
  • Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well
  • Immigrant first names may be in their native language
  • Search the records of nearby localities
  • Look at the 1930 and 1940 censuses to identify names and ages of additional family members

Research Helps[edit | edit source]

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

Other FamilySearch Collections[edit | edit source]

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

FamilySearch Catalog[edit | edit source]

  • 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
  • They became Americans: finding naturalization records and ethnic origins, Loretto Dennis Szucs. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 1998. FS Library book 973 P47t
  • Fred W. Hons and Delbert A. Bishop, comp. Preliminary inventory records of the United States District Court for the district of Nebraska : Record group 21.Kansas City, Missouri : Federal Records Center, 1967 FS Library 978.2 K2h

U.S. District Court Naturalizations

County Naturalizations

Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]

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.

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

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