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Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

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{{FamilySearch_Collection
{{breadcrumb
|CID=CID2040533
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Illinois, United States Genealogy|Illinois]]
}}
{{US NARA HR Infobox
|CID=CID2040533  
|title=Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979
|title=Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979
|CID2=CID1838804  
|CID2=CID1838804  
|title2=Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950
|title2=lllinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950
|location=United States}}<br>
|location= Illinois
 
| LOC_01 = Illinois
== Record Description ==
| LOC_02 =
 
| LOC_03 =
These indexes are for records that cover the years from 1840 to about 1979.  
| record_type = Naturalization Index
 
| record_group_nr = 85
This collection consists of a card index to naturalization records for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago, ARC Identifier 1165908. This collection is being published as images become available. The indexes are for records that cover the years from 1840 to 1950.  
| record_group_title = [https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/085.html Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service] 
| start_year = 1840
| end_year = 1979
| alt_flag = Flag_of_the_United_States_(1912-1959).jpg
| alt_flag_desc = US Flag 1912-1959 (48 stars)
| micro_pub_nr =M1285
| micro_pub_title =[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m1285.pdf Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions for the United States District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois, and Immigration and Naturalization Service District 9, 1840-1950] 
| micro_pub_rolls =
| micro_pub_nr_02 =
| micro_pub_title_02 =
| micro_pub_rolls_02 =
| micro_pub_nr_03 =
| micro_pub_title_03 =
| micro_pub_rolls_03 =
| micro_pub_nr_04 =
| micro_pub_title_04 =
| micro_pub_rolls_04 =
| coll_series =
| arrangement =  
| NAID = [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4498011 4498011][https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1165908 1165908][https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1160705 1160705]
| FS_URL_01 = [[GuidedResearch:Illinois|Illinois Guided Research]]
| FS_URL_02 = [[Illinois Record Finder]]
| FS_URL_03 = [[Illinois Research Tips and Strategies]]
| FS_URL_04 = [[Step-by-Step Illinois Research, 1880-Present]]
| FS_URL_05 = [[Illinois Genealogy|Illinois]]
| FS_URL_06 = [[Illinois Naturalization and Citizenship|Illinois Naturalization and Citizenship]]  
| FS_URL_07 = [[United States Naturalization and Citizenship]]
| FS_URL_08 = [[Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records]]
| FS_URL_09 = [[Tracing Immigrants Arrival Naturalization and Citizenship]]
| FS_URL_10 = [[United States Naturalization Types]]
| FS_URL_11 = [[Naturalization Terms and Acronyms]]
| FS_URL_12 = [[United States Naturalization Laws]]
| FS_URL_13 =
| FS_URL_14 =
| FS_URL_15 =
| Coverage =
| Inventory =
| DFNL =
| RW_URL_01 = [http://www.archives.gov/research/microfilm/m1285.pdf NARA Descriptive Pamphlet M1285]
| RW_URL_02 = [http://www.germanroots.com/illinoisnat.html Online Illinois Naturalization Records Indexes &amp; Finding Aids]
| RW_URL_03 = [http://www.archives.gov/research/naturalization/420-major-immigration-laws.pdf Immigration and Naturalization Laws]
| RW_URL_04 = [https://www.archives.gov/research/naturalization/naturalization.html NARA Naturalization Records]
| RW_URL_05 = [https://www.archives.gov/chicago/finding-aids/naturalization-records.html Naturalization Records at National Archives Chicago]
| RW_URL_06 = [https://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/naturalization/history-dec-of-intent History of the Declaration of Intention (1795–1952)]
| RW_URL_07 = [https://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/naturalization/history-cert-of-naturalization History of the Certificate of Naturalization, 1790–1956]
| RW_URL_08 =
| RW_URL_09 =
| RW_URL_10 =
}}
== What is in This Collection? ==
The first collection consists of a card index to naturalization petitions for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1165908 NAID 1165908]. The card index was compiled from the following series: "Naturalization Petition and Record Books, 1906 - ca. 1975" [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/281842 NAID 281842,] "Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1991" [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/593882 NAID 593882,] and "Overseas Naturalization Petition Books, 1942-1956" [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1183015 NAID 1183015.]


Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Most counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship. The courts handling naturalizations changed several times so the card index was created as a way to quickly access specific records.
'''Indexes the following collections'''
*Naturalization Petition and Record Books, 1906-ca. 1975, [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/281842 NAID 281842]
*Petition for Naturalization,1906-1991,[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/593882 NAID 593882]
*Military Naturalization Petition and Record Books, 1918-1922,[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1182054 NAID 1182054]
*Naturalization Petitions,1872-1902,[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1225038 NAID 1225038]
*Municipal and county naturalization records in northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, eastern Iowa and southern Wisconsin


For an alphabetical list of records currently published in the Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950 collection, select the [https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A//api.familysearch.org/records/collection/1838804/waypoints Browse].
'''The index includes the following counties for Illinois:'''
{{columns-list|8|
*Boone
*Bureau
*Carroll
*Champaign
*Cook
*De Kalb
*Du Page
*Ford
*Fulton
*Grundy
*Henderson
*Henry
*Iroquois
*Jo Daviess
*Kane
*Kankakee
*Kendall
*Knox
*Lake
*La Salle
*Lee
*Livingston
*Marshall
*McHenry
*McLean
*Mercer
*Ogle
*Peoria
*Putnam
*Rock Island
*Stark
*Stephenson
*Tazewell
*Vermilion
*Warren
*Whiteside
*Will
*Winnebago
*Woodford
}}


For a list of records by soundex currently published in the Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979 collection, select the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A//familysearch.org/records/collection/1838804/waypoints Browse].  
'''The index includes the following counties for Indiana:'''
{{columns-list|3|
*Benton
*Fulton
*Jasper
*Lake
*La Porte
*Marshall
*Newton
*Porter
*Pulaski
*St. Joseph
*Starke
}}


==== First Collection  ====
'''The index includes the following counties for Iowa:'''
{{columns-list|8|
*Allamakee
*Appanoose
*Benton
*Black Hawk
*Bremer
*Buchanan
*Butler
*Cedar
*Chickasaw
*Clayton
*Clinton
*Davis
*Delaware
*Des Moines
*Dubuque
*Fayette
*Floyd
*Grundy
*Hardin
*Henry
*Howard
*Iowa
*Jackson
*Jefferson
*Johnson
*Jones
*Keokuk
*Lee
*Linn
*Louisa
*Mahaska
*Mitchell
*Monroe
*Muscatine
*Scott
*Tama
*Van Buren
*Wapello
*Washington
*Winneshiek
}}


The first collection consists of card index to naturalization records for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago. The card index was compiled from the following series: "Naturalization Petition and Record Books, 1906 - ca. 1975" (ARC Identifier 281842), "Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1991" (ARC Identifier 593882), and "Overseas Naturalization Petition Books, 1942-1956" (ARC Identifier 1183015).
'''The index includes the following counties for Wisconsin:'''
 
{{columns-list|5|
==== Second Collection  ====
*Adams
 
*Brown
The second collection is a soundex card index to petitions for residents of northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, southern and eastern Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa. It includes no records from Cook County, Illinois, prior to 1871 as these records were destroyed by fire. For more information about Soundex indexes and instructions for coding names, see the Wiki article “[[Soundex|Soundex]].”
*Calumet
 
*Columbia
'''The index includes the following counties for Illinois:''' Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Champaign, Cook, De Kalb, Du Page, Ford, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, Lake, La Salle, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Ogle, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermilion, Warren, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago, and Woodford.
*Crawford
 
*Dane
'''The index includes the following counties for Indiana:''' Benton, Fulton, Jasper, Lake, La Porte, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, and Starke.
*Dodge
 
*Door
'''The index includes the following counties for Iowa:''' Allamakee, Appanoose, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Chickasaw, Clayton, Clinton, Davis, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Grundy, Hardin, Henry, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Mahaska, Mitchell, Monroe, Muscatine, Scott, Tama, Van Buren, Wapello, Washington, and Winneshiek.
*Florence
 
*Fond du Lac
'''The index includes the following counties for Wisconsin:''' Adams, Brown, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Lafayette, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood.
*Forest
*Grant
*Green
*Green Lake
*Iowa
*Jefferson
*Kenosha
*Kewaunee
*Lafayette
*Langlade
}}
<br>
{{columns-list|5|
*Manitowoc
*Marinette
*Marquette
*Menominee
*Milwaukee
*Oconto
*Outagamie
*Ozaukee
*Portage
*Racine
*Richland
*Rock
*Sauk
*Shawano
*Sheboygan
*Walworth
*Washington
*Waukesha
*Waupaca
*Waushara
*Winnebago
*Wood
}}


The actual naturalization volumes vary in size and format. Prior to the late 1800s each document was usually handwritten on one page. From the late 1800s and on, printed forms were used. After 1906 many entries were typewritten.  
The actual naturalization volumes vary in size and format. Prior to the late 1800s each document was usually handwritten on one page. From the late 1800s and on, printed forms were used. After 1906 many entries were typewritten.  
Line 38: Line 231:
While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information.  
While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information.  


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.&nbsp;
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.&nbsp;
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,&nbsp;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).&nbsp;
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.&nbsp;
Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.


=== Citation for This Collection  ===
After 1906 the entries generally include the name of petitioner; address; name of the court in which naturalization occurred; certificate, petition, or other identifying document number; country and date of birth; date and place of arrival in the United States; date of naturalization; and name and address of witnesses. Although space was provided for this information, it is not always present on every card. Index cards for naturalizations taking place prior to 1906 typically contain only the name of the petitioner, the name of the court in which naturalization occurred, document number, country of origin, and the date of naturalization.


The following citation refers to the original source of the information for collections published in FamilySearch.org. Source citations include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records. br&gt;
Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Most counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship. The courts handling naturalizations changed several times so the card index was created as a way to quickly access specific records.
 
{{Collection citation | text= "Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950." Index and Images. <i>FamilySearch</i>. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2013. Citing Chicago: Federal Archives and Records Center, n.d.}}
 
<br> [[Illinois, Northern District, Indexes to Naturalization Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)#Citation_Example_for_a_Record_Found_in_This_Collection|Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.]]
 
== Record Content  ==
 
The following lists are information usually found on the index cards. However, not all of this information is provided on every card.  
 
Index cards for naturalizations taking place prior to 1906 typically contain the following:
 
[[Image:Illinois, Northern District, Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions (10-0397) (11-0450) DGS 4640946 109.jpg|thumb|right]]


{{HR Add}}
=== Index and Image Visibility ===
{{Image Visibility}}
=== To Browse This Collection ===
{{Collection_Browse_Link
|CID=CID2040533
|title=Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979
}}
{{Collection_Browse_Link
|CID=CID1838804
|title=lllinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950
}}
The Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950 is NARA publication M1285: [[Soundex]] Index to Naturalization Petitions for the United States District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois and Immigration and Naturalization Service District 9, 1840-1950. This card file is an index to petitions for residents of northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, southern and eastern Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa. Filed by [[Soundex]] codes the entries prior to 1906 differ from those after 1906.It includes no records from Cook County, Illinois, prior to 1871 as these records were destroyed by fire. For more information about Soundex indexes and instructions for coding names, see the Wiki article “[[Soundex]]."
== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==
Index cards for naturalizations taking place prior to 1906 typically contain the following information. Not all information is provided on every card. :
{{columns-list|2|
*Name of the petitioner  
*Name of the petitioner  
*Residence of petitioner  
*Residence of petitioner  
Line 71: Line 268:
*Date of naturalization  
*Date of naturalization  
*Names and addresses of witnesses
*Names and addresses of witnesses
 
}}
<br>Most cards that index naturalizations after 1906 provide space for the following information:  
Most cards that index naturalizations after 1906 provide space for the following information:  
 
{{columns-list|2|
*Name of petitioner  
*Name of petitioner  
*Address  
*Address  
*Name of the court in which naturalization occurred  
*Name of the court in which naturalization occurred  
*Crtificate, petition, or other identifying document number  
*Certificate, petition, or other identifying document number  
*Country of origin  
*Country of origin  
*Date of birth  
*Date of birth  
Line 83: Line 280:
*Date of naturalization  
*Date of naturalization  
*Name and address of witnesses
*Name and address of witnesses
 
}}
<br>Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petitions usually included the following:  
Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petitions usually included the following:  
 
*Name of the immigrant  
*Name of the immigrant  
*Country of birth  
*Country of birth  
Line 92: Line 288:
*Names of witnesses  
*Names of witnesses  
*Signature of judge or court official
*Signature of judge or court official
 
In post-1906 records, you may also find:  
<br>In post-1906 records, you may also find:  
{{columns-list|3|
 
*Birth date  
*Birth date  
*Birthplace  
*Birthplace  
Line 107: Line 302:
*Birth date of spouse  
*Birth date of spouse  
*Residence of spouse
*Residence of spouse
 
}}
== How to Use the Record ==
== Collection Content ==
 
=== Sample Image ===
To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links:<br>⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page<br>⇒Select the "Soundex Range" category which takes you to the images<br>  
<gallery>
 
Image:Illinois, Northern District, Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions (10-0397) (11-0450) DGS 4640946 109.jpg|1920 Soundex Index Card
Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.
</gallery>
 
== How Do I Search This Collection?  ==
Name indexes make it possible to access a specific record quickly. Check the index for the surname and then the given name. You may need to look at many cards to find the one you are seeking. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:  
 
*The full name of your ancestor
When searching the index it is helpful to know the following:  
*The approximate year of immigration
 
*The approximate year of naturalization
*The full name of your ancestor  
*The place where your ancestor lived
*The approximate immigration and naturalization dates
*The ancestor’s residence
 
If you do not know this information, check the 1900 census and then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.  
If you do not know this information, check the 1900 census and then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.  
=== Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979 ===
==== Search the Index ====
{{Search Collection Link
| CID=CID2040533
}}
==== View the Images ====
{{View_Images_Link | CID = 2040533
| browse_1 = Name Range
| browse_2 =
| browse_3 = 
| browse_4 = 
| browse_5 = 
| browse_6 =  }}
{{HR Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/2040533 Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979]. Click on camera icon to see images.}}
=== Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950 ===
==== Search the Index ====
{{Search Collection Link
| CID=CID1838804
}}
==== View the Images ====
View images in this collection by visiting the '''{{RecordSearch|1838804|Browse Page|access=browse}}''':
#Select the '''Soundex Range''' to view the images
{{HR Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/1838804 Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950]. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.}}
=== 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 [[Use_Appropriate_Forms#Prepare_a_Research_Log |research log]].
== What Do I Do Next? ==
When you have located your ancestor’s naturalization record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors.
=== I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now? ===
*Add any new information to your records
*Use naturalization records to:
**Learn an immigrant’s place of origin
**Confirm their date of arrival
**Learn foreign and “Americanized” names
**Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests
**Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived, and then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts and then in state, county, or city courts
*An individual may have filed the first and final papers in different courts and sometimes in a different state if the person moved Immigrants who were younger than 18 when they arrived did not need to file a Declaration of Intent as part of the process.
*If your ancestor had a common name, be sure to look at all the entries for a name before you decide which is correct
*Continue to search the naturalization records to identify siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same or other generations who may have naturalized in the same area or nearby
*The witnesses named on naturalization records may have been older relatives of the person in the naturalization process. Search for their naturalizations
*You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors
=== I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now? ===
*Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations
*Try a different index if there is one for the years needed. You may also need to search the naturalization records year by year
*Search the indexes of nearby counties
=== Research Helps ===
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of [[Illinois, United States Genealogy|Illinois]].
*[[Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records]]
*[[Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records]]
* [[GuidedResearch:Illinois|Illinois Guided Research]]
* [[Illinois Record Finder]]
* [[Illinois Research Tips and Strategies]]
* [[Step-by-Step Illinois Research, 1880-Present]]


Use the locator information found in the index (such as name of court, page, entry, or certificate number) to locate your ancestors in the records. Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.
== Other FamilySearch Collections ==
 
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example, you can use naturalization&nbsp;records to:
 
*Learn an immigrant’s place of origin
*Confirm their date of arrival
*Learn foreign and “Americanized” names
*Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests.
 
<br>You may also find these tips helpful:
 
*Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived, and then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts and then in state, county, or city courts.
*An individual may have filed the first and final papers in different courts and sometimes in a different state if the person moved. Immigrants who were younger than 18 when they arrived did not need to file a Declaration of Intent as part of the process.
*If your ancestor had a common name, be sure to look at all the entries for a name before you decide which is correct.
*Continue to search the naturalization records to identify siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same or other generations who may have naturalized in the same area or nearby.
*The witnesses named on naturalization records may have been older relatives of the person in the naturalization process. Search for their naturalizations.
*You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors.
 
<br>If you do not find the name you are looking for, try the following:
 
*Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations.
*Try a different index if there is one for the years needed. You may also need to search the naturalization records year by year.
*Search the indexes of nearby counties.
 
== Related Websites  ==
 
*[http://www.accessgenealogy.com/naturalizations.htm Illinois State Archives]
*[http://www.archives.gov/great-lakes/finding-aids/courts/us-courts-chicago.html#general United States District and Circuit Court Records (Chicago)]
*[http://www.germanroots.com/illinoisnat.html Online Illinois Naturalization Records Indexes &amp; Finding Aids]
 
== Related Wiki Articles  ==
 
*[[Illinois|Illinois]]
*[[Illinois Naturalization and Citizenship|Illinois Naturalization and Citizenship]]
 
== Contributions to This Article  ==


{{Contributor invite}}  
=== FamilySearch Catalog ===
*Newman, John J. ''American Naturalization Records;1790-1990: what they are and how to use them.'' Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1998. {{FSC|736837|title-id|disp=FS Library book 973 P47na}}
*Szucs, Loretto Dennis ''They became Americans: finding naturalization records and ethnic origins''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 1998. {{FSC|719682title-id|disp=FS Library book 973 P47t}}
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/3155497 U.S. Circuit Court. Northern District. Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, naturalization depositions, 1906-1912]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504193 U.S. Circuit Court. Oaths of allegiance, 1872-1906]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504199 U.S. Circuit Court. Northern District Declarations of intention, 1906-1911 ; Index, 1906-1911]


== Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections  ==
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504196 U.S. District Court. Northern District. Declarations of intentions, 1903-1931; Index, 1906-1930]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504794 U.S. District Court. Northern District. Petitions for naturalization, 1907-1945 ; index, 1906-1927]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/3417895 U.S. District Court. Northern District. Eastern Division. Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Certificate of naturalization stubs, 1907-1926]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504190 U.S. District Court. Northern District. Naturalization petitions, 1872-1903]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504290 U.S. District Court. Northern District. Oaths of allegiance, 1872-1903]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504202 U.S. District Court. Northern District. Petitions for naturalization, 1906-1911]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/447002 U.S. District Court. Northern District. Northern District. Records of naturalizations and name changes; first set, 1926-1980; second set, 1980-1988]


When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.
=== FamilySearch Historical Records ===
*{{RecordSearch|1838804|Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950}}
*{{RecordSearch|2212212|Illinois, Northern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1994}}
*{{RecordSearch|1989159|Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998}}


A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article [[Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections]].


=== Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection  ===
== 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}}
{{Record_Citation}}
{{Image_Citation}}


"Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950." images, ''FamilySearch'' ([http://www.familysearch.org http://www.familysearch.org]): accessed 21 March 2012), Fred Ban, naturalized April 6, 1891; citing Illinois Naturalizastion Index, FHL microfilm 1,432,017;United States Federal Archives and Records Center, NARA M1285.


Information about creating source citations for FamilySearch Historical Collections is listed in the wiki article [[Help:How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections]].
[[Category:NARA_Naturalization_and_Citizenship_Records]]
[[es:Illinois, Distrito Norte (División Este), Índice de naturalización (Registros históricos de FamilySearch)]]

Latest revision as of 09:27, 31 May 2024

Access the Records
Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979 andlllinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950
CID2040533
CID1838804
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Illinois,
United States
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Record Description
Record Type Naturalization Index
Record Group RG 85: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
Collection years 1840-1979
Microfilm Publication M1285. Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions for the United States District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois, and Immigration and Naturalization Service District 9, 1840-1950.
National Archives Identifier 449801111659081160705
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration


What is in This Collection?

The first collection consists of a card index to naturalization petitions for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois, in ChicagoNAID 1165908. The card index was compiled from the following series: "Naturalization Petition and Record Books, 1906 - ca. 1975" NAID 281842, "Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1991" NAID 593882, and "Overseas Naturalization Petition Books, 1942-1956" NAID 1183015.

Indexes the following collections

  • Naturalization Petition and Record Books, 1906-ca. 1975, NAID 281842
  • Petition for Naturalization,1906-1991,NAID 593882
  • Military Naturalization Petition and Record Books, 1918-1922,NAID 1182054
  • Naturalization Petitions,1872-1902,NAID 1225038
  • Municipal and county naturalization records in northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, eastern Iowa and southern Wisconsin

The index includes the following counties for Illinois:

  • Boone
  • Bureau
  • Carroll
  • Champaign
  • Cook
  • De Kalb
  • Du Page
  • Ford
  • Fulton
  • Grundy
  • Henderson
  • Henry
  • Iroquois
  • Jo Daviess
  • Kane
  • Kankakee
  • Kendall
  • Knox
  • Lake
  • La Salle
  • Lee
  • Livingston
  • Marshall
  • McHenry
  • McLean
  • Mercer
  • Ogle
  • Peoria
  • Putnam
  • Rock Island
  • Stark
  • Stephenson
  • Tazewell
  • Vermilion
  • Warren
  • Whiteside
  • Will
  • Winnebago
  • Woodford

The index includes the following counties for Indiana:

  • Benton
  • Fulton
  • Jasper
  • Lake
  • La Porte
  • Marshall
  • Newton
  • Porter
  • Pulaski
  • St. Joseph
  • Starke

The index includes the following counties for Iowa:

  • Allamakee
  • Appanoose
  • Benton
  • Black Hawk
  • Bremer
  • Buchanan
  • Butler
  • Cedar
  • Chickasaw
  • Clayton
  • Clinton
  • Davis
  • Delaware
  • Des Moines
  • Dubuque
  • Fayette
  • Floyd
  • Grundy
  • Hardin
  • Henry
  • Howard
  • Iowa
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Johnson
  • Jones
  • Keokuk
  • Lee
  • Linn
  • Louisa
  • Mahaska
  • Mitchell
  • Monroe
  • Muscatine
  • Scott
  • Tama
  • Van Buren
  • Wapello
  • Washington
  • Winneshiek

The index includes the following counties for Wisconsin:

  • Adams
  • Brown
  • Calumet
  • Columbia
  • Crawford
  • Dane
  • Dodge
  • Door
  • Florence
  • Fond du Lac
  • Forest
  • Grant
  • Green
  • Green Lake
  • Iowa
  • Jefferson
  • Kenosha
  • Kewaunee
  • Lafayette
  • Langlade


  • Manitowoc
  • Marinette
  • Marquette
  • Menominee
  • Milwaukee
  • Oconto
  • Outagamie
  • Ozaukee
  • Portage
  • Racine
  • Richland
  • Rock
  • Sauk
  • Shawano
  • Sheboygan
  • Walworth
  • Washington
  • Waukesha
  • Waupaca
  • Waushara
  • Winnebago
  • Wood

The actual naturalization volumes vary in size and format. Prior to the late 1800s each document was usually handwritten on one page. From the late 1800s and on, printed forms were used. After 1906 many entries were typewritten.

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

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.

After 1906 the entries generally include the name of petitioner; address; name of the court in which naturalization occurred; certificate, petition, or other identifying document number; country and date of birth; date and place of arrival in the United States; date of naturalization; and name and address of witnesses. Although space was provided for this information, it is not always present on every card. Index cards for naturalizations taking place prior to 1906 typically contain only the name of the petitioner, the name of the court in which naturalization occurred, document number, country of origin, and the date of naturalization.

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

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

Index and Image Visibility

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

To Browse This Collection

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979.
You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for lllinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950.

The Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950 is NARA publication M1285: Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions for the United States District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois and Immigration and Naturalization Service District 9, 1840-1950. This card file is an index to petitions for residents of northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, southern and eastern Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa. Filed by Soundex codes the entries prior to 1906 differ from those after 1906.It includes no records from Cook County, Illinois, prior to 1871 as these records were destroyed by fire. For more information about Soundex indexes and instructions for coding names, see the Wiki article “Soundex."

What Can These Records Tell Me?

Index cards for naturalizations taking place prior to 1906 typically contain the following information. Not all information is provided on every card. :

  • Name of the petitioner
  • Residence of petitioner
  • Birth date of petitioner
  • Name of the court in which naturalization occurred
  • Document number
  • Country of origin
  • Date and port of entry of arrival in U.S.
  • Date of naturalization
  • Names and addresses of witnesses

Most cards that index naturalizations after 1906 provide space for the following information:

  • Name of petitioner
  • Address
  • Name of the court in which naturalization occurred
  • Certificate, petition, or other identifying document number
  • Country of origin
  • Date of birth
  • Date and place of arrival in the United States
  • Date of naturalization
  • Name and address of witnesses

Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petitions usually included the following:

  • 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

In post-1906 records, you may also find:

  • 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

Sample Image

  • 1920 Soundex Index Card

    1920 Soundex Index Card

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • The full name of your ancestor
  • The approximate year of immigration
  • The approximate year of naturalization
  • The place where your ancestor lived

If you do not know this information, check the 1900 census and then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.

Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.
  1. Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
  2. Click Search to show possible matches

View the Images

View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:
  1. Select Name Range to view the images
Tip
 More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979. Click on camera icon to see images.

Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.
  1. Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
  2. Click Search to show possible matches

View the Images

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page:

  1. Select the Soundex Range to view the images
Tip
 More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.

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?

When you have located your ancestor’s naturalization record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors.

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

  • Add any new information to your records
  • Use naturalization records to:
    • Learn an immigrant’s place of origin
    • Confirm their date of arrival
    • Learn foreign and “Americanized” names
    • Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests
    • Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived, and then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts and then in state, county, or city courts
  • An individual may have filed the first and final papers in different courts and sometimes in a different state if the person moved Immigrants who were younger than 18 when they arrived did not need to file a Declaration of Intent as part of the process.
  • If your ancestor had a common name, be sure to look at all the entries for a name before you decide which is correct
  • Continue to search the naturalization records to identify siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same or other generations who may have naturalized in the same area or nearby
  • The witnesses named on naturalization records may have been older relatives of the person in the naturalization process. Search for their naturalizations
  • You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors

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

  • Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations
  • Try a different index if there is one for the years needed. You may also need to search the naturalization records year by year
  • Search the indexes of nearby counties

Research Helps

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

Other FamilySearch Collections

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

FamilySearch Catalog

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

FamilySearch Historical Records


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.
Image Citation:
When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.
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