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=== Colonial Naturalization === | === Colonial Naturalization === | ||
Few naturalizations were required in the colonial period since most immigrants came from the British Isles. The provincial legislature and the Governor and Council naturalized some foreigners. The earliest naturalizations were granted by the legislature in the form of laws. They contain little information | Few naturalizations were required in the colonial period since most immigrants came from the British Isles. The provincial legislature and the Governor and Council naturalized some foreigners. The earliest naturalizations were granted by the legislature in the form of laws. They contain little information beyond the name of the person being naturalized and their country of origin. | ||
Early naturalizations were also granted by the New Jersey Supreme Court and the Chancery Court. Naturalization done in the courts became a multi-step process and the records created there began to take on more of the the form we expect from naturalization records. | Early naturalizations were also granted by the New Jersey Supreme Court and the Chancery Court. Naturalization done in the courts became a multi-step process and the records created there began to take on more of the the form we expect from naturalization records. | ||
The majority of those naturalized before 1776 came from European countries such as France, Switzerland, and Germany. These early naturalizations contain little information. They may, however, contain the religious affiliation of the applicant since only Protestants were allowed to be naturalized. | The majority of those naturalized before 1776 came from European countries such as France, Switzerland, and Germany. These early naturalizations contain little information. They may, however, contain the religious affiliation of the applicant since only Protestants were allowed to be naturalized. | ||
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