Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records: Difference between revisions

*Information in '''early passports''' included the individual’s name, a description of the individual, and their age. Later passports included a birth place and birth date, naturalization information, and arrival information if foreign born.

Naturalization records began in 1790 and go up to the present. However, they are much more detailed after 1906. They are found throughout the United States.

The first passports were issued in 1795. A passport was required for travel outside the United States during World War I and World War II.    By the end of 1915, passports were recommended, but were optional until 1952.  From 1952 to 2009 passports were required for travel in every country except some countries in North, South, or Central America.  Passports have been required for U. S. citizens for all travel since 2009.

*Before 1906, a '''declaration of intent'' will give name, the home country, and the date.

*A petition will give name, date and place of birth, occupation, date and port of arrival, and names of witnesses (frequently relatives).

*Information in early '''passports''' included the individual’s name, a description of the individual, and their age. Later passports included a birth place and birth date, naturalization information, and arrival information if foreign born.

*Before 1906, immigrants could naturalize in any of 5,000 federal, district, state, or local courts that had the authority to grant citizenship. A few county court naturalization records have been donated to the National Archives and can be ordered from the [http://www.archives.gov/research/naturalization/ National Archives].  

*'''Passport applications''' from 1795-1925 are available at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1174 '''Ancestry.com.''']

*In making any search of an immigrant ancestor, remember their '''''surname may have changed''''' from what it originally was or how it was originally spelled due to language differences, misunderstandings due to a foreign accent, or to Americanize the name.