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California, Southern District Court (Central) Naturalization Index - FamilySearch Historical Records (view source)

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|location=California}}<br>  
|location=California}}<br>  


== Record Description  ==
== What is in the Collection? ==


This collection is a card index to naturalization records in the circuit and district courts of California. The cards are arranged alphabetically by surname. The collection includes records from 1915 to 1976.  
This collection is a card index to naturalization records in the circuit and district courts of California. The cards are arranged alphabetically by surname. The collection includes records from 1915 to 1976.  
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== Record Content  ==
== Collection Content  ==


<gallery widths="160px" heights="120px" perrow="3">
<gallery widths="160px" heights="120px" perrow="3">
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*Maiden name of wife
*Maiden name of wife


== How to Use the Record ==
== General Information About These Records ==
 
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.
 
Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. California’s 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.&nbsp;
 
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.&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.
 
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.
 
== How Do I Search the Collection? ==


When searching the index it is helpful to know the following:  
When searching the index it is helpful to know the following:  
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For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article [[FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks]].
For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article [[FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks]].


=== Using the Information  ===
== What Do I Do Next? ==


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 records to:  
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 records to:  
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*These cards may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.
*These cards may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.


=== Unable to Find Your Ancestor? ===
== What If I Can't Find Who I'm Looking For? ==


*Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations.  
*Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations.  
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{{Tip|Don't overlook {{FHL|California, Naturalization and Citizenship|keywords|disp}} items in the FamilySearch Library Catalog. For other libraries (local and national) or to gain access to items of interest, see the wiki article [[California Archives and Libraries]]. }}
{{Tip|Don't overlook {{FHL|California, Naturalization and Citizenship|keywords|disp}} items in the FamilySearch Library Catalog. For other libraries (local and national) or to gain access to items of interest, see the wiki article [[California Archives and Libraries]]. }}
=== General Information About These Records  ===
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.
Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. California’s 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.&nbsp;
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.&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.
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.


== Related Websites  ==
== Related Websites  ==
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{{Contributor invite}}
{{Contributor invite}}


== Citations for this Collection  ==
== Citing this Collection  ==


Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.
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