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In 1929, the INS changed the forms and required photographs of the applicants. Because the new forms were not distributed immediately, many state courts ceased naturalizing. However, naturalizations were still taking place in local county courts as well as federal courts after 1929, and the records of any court still naturalizing should be consulted to locate your ancestor's records.<br> | In 1929, the INS changed the forms and required photographs of the applicants. Because the new forms were not distributed immediately, many state courts ceased naturalizing. However, naturalizations were still taking place in local county courts as well as federal courts after 1929, and the records of any court still naturalizing should be consulted to locate your ancestor's records.<br> | ||
== Finding Naturalization Records == | |||
Immigrants could naturalize in any court that performed naturalizations. | Immigrants could naturalize in any court that performed naturalizations. That included city, county, state and federal courts. After 1906, federal courts naturalized many immigrants, however, other local courts continued to naturalize as late as 1985. Check all possible courts in the area your ancestor lived. | ||
Begin by looking for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant lived. Look first for the petition (second papers), because they are usually easier to find in courts near where the | Begin by looking for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant lived. Look first for the petition (second papers), because they are usually easier to find in courts near where the immigrant eventually settled. After 1906, the declaration can be filed with the petition as the immigrant was required to submit a copy when he submitted the petition. | ||
Because immigrants were allowed to naturalize in any court, they often selected the most convenient court. | Because immigrants were allowed to naturalize in any court, they often selected the most convenient court. If they lived in New Jersey but worked in New York City, also check the courts of New York City for the naturalization records. If an immigrant lived on the border of a county, they may have naturalized in the adjacent county because the courthouse may have been closer. | ||
==== Locating the Correct District Court ==== | ==== Locating the Correct District Court ==== | ||
One federal court that may contain your ancestor's naturalization records is the District Court. However, to search the these records you must first determine the correct district court. Click on [[United States District Court Jurisdictions|United States District Court Jurisdictions]] to help you identify the correct District Court. You must know the county your ancestor resided in. | |||
One federal court that may contain your ancestor's naturalization records is the District Court. | |||
*[[United States District Court Jurisdictions]] | *[[United States District Court Jurisdictions]] | ||
=== Online Naturalization Records === | |||
There are many online resources available for researching naturalization records. These online resources include naturalization indexes as well as digital images of naturalization records. ''<br>'' | |||
There are many online resources available for researching naturalization records. | |||
*[http://www.germanroots.com/naturalization.html '''''Online Searchable Naturalization Indexes and Records''''']--This website contains links to naturalization indexes and records. | *[http://www.germanroots.com/naturalization.html '''''Online Searchable Naturalization Indexes and Records''''']--This website contains links to naturalization indexes and records. It is arranged by state and gives the statewide indexes and records first. It then gives the countywide indexes and records. This website is updated regularly and is a great source to begin searching for naturalization records on the Internet. | ||
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1?region=United%20States%20of%20America&englishRegion=United+States+of+America '''''FamilySearch Historical Records''''']--Free website containing indexes and images of naturalization records. New databases are added monthly. Search by state. | *[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1?region=United%20States%20of%20America&englishRegion=United+States+of+America '''''FamilySearch Historical Records''''']--Free website containing indexes and images of naturalization records. New databases are added monthly. Search by state. | ||
*[http://www.fold3.com/institution-index.php '''''Fold3.com''''']--This website has a partnership with the National Archives to | *[http://www.fold3.com/institution-index.php '''''Fold3.com''''']--This website has a partnership with the National Archives to bring digital images of some of the National Archives collections online. Part of the website is free, other images are only available through a subscription. Free access is given to the website at the National Archives, at National Archives regional branches, and at Family History Centers that have Internet access. To locate naturalization databases on fold3.com, choose the "browse all" [http://www.footnote.com/browse.php link]. Under the category list, click on [https://www.fold3.com/browse/22/ Naturalizations 1700s - Mid 1900s]. At the bottom of the screen, use the "search within" box to type in a name. There is also an "advanced search" option that helps narrow down common names when more information is known about the ancestor. | ||
*[http://www.ancestry.com/ '''''Ancestry.com''''']--This is a subscription website. Most of Ancestry's naturalization records are found under the heading Immigration and Emigration. You can access these records by the following methods: | *[http://www.ancestry.com/ '''''Ancestry.com''''']--This is a subscription website. Most of Ancestry's naturalization records are found under the heading Immigration and Emigration. You can access these records by the following methods: | ||
:1) Ancestry Database Card Catalog--type the word naturalization in the Database Title Box. This will give you a listing of naturalization records. | :1) Ancestry Database Card Catalog--type the word naturalization in the Database Title Box. This will give you a listing of naturalization records. | ||
:2) Immigration & Emigration--click on the Search tab at the top of the page, then scroll down to Immigration & Emigration and click on that link. Search by first and last name. Note that the search results include naturalization and many other immigration records. <br> | :2) Immigration & Emigration--click on the Search tab at the top of the page, then scroll down to Immigration & Emigration and click on that link. Search by first and last name. Note that the search results include naturalization and many other immigration records. <br> | ||
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In some states, naturalization records are included in other court records and are not separately identified. Search the Wiki for the name of the state and the word "naturalization" to help you locate these records. | In some states, naturalization records are included in other court records and are not separately identified. Search the Wiki for the name of the state and the word "naturalization" to help you locate these records. | ||
A key reference book is: <br> | A key reference book is: <br> | ||
*Schaefer, Christina K. ''Guide to Naturalization Records in the United States''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997. (FHL book 973 P4s.) It identifies records at both the National Archives and the Family History Library. It also describes many state and county courthouse collections. This book was published in 1997 and has not been updated. The Family History Library has added naturalization records to their collection since the publication.<br> | |||
==== At Regional Archives ==== | ==== At Regional Archives ==== | ||
The clerk of the court where the immigrant was naturalized may still have the original records. Some copies of court naturalization records have been transferred to National Archives regional branches. Check these Regional Branches for Federal Court Records as they charge less than the [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/ USCIS]. | |||
National Archive regional branches have websites that often state which naturalization records they have available. To locate the regional branch covering the location of the court where the naturalization document was filed, click [http://www.archives.gov/locations/ here]. | |||
National Archive regional branches have websites that often state which naturalization records they have available. | |||
==== USCIS Internet Site ==== | |||
The [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)] has instituted the [http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy Genealogy Program] for public access to immigrant records from 1906 to 1956 created by this agency, formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Before making a request, review [http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/requesting-help/record-requests-frequently-asked-questions Genealogy FAQ] and [http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/avoid-common-errors Genealogy Common Errors] sections. | The [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)] has instituted the [http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy Genealogy Program] for public access to immigrant records from 1906 to 1956 created by this agency, formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Before making a request, review [http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/requesting-help/record-requests-frequently-asked-questions Genealogy FAQ] and [http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/avoid-common-errors Genealogy Common Errors] sections. | ||
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*[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/certificate-files-september-27-1906-march-31-1956 Certificate Files] from September 27, 1906 to April 1, 1956 | *[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/certificate-files-september-27-1906-march-31-1956 Certificate Files] from September 27, 1906 to April 1, 1956 | ||
*[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/alien-registration-forms-microfilm-1940-1944 Alien Registration Forms] from August 1, 1940 to March 31, 1944 | *[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/alien-registration-forms-microfilm-1940-1944 Alien Registration Forms] from August 1, 1940 to March 31, 1944 | ||
*[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/visa-files-july-1-1924-march-31-1944 Visa files] from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944 | *[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/visa-files-july-1-1924-march-31-1944 Visa files] from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944 | ||
*[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/registry-files-march-2-1929-march-31-1944 Registry Files] from March 2, 1929 to March 31, 1944 | *[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/registry-files-march-2-1929-march-31-1944 Registry Files] from March 2, 1929 to March 31, 1944 | ||
*[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/files-numbered-below-8-million Alien Files (A-files)] numbered below 8 million] (A8000000) and documents therein dated prior to May 1, 1951 | *[http://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/files-numbered-below-8-million Alien Files (A-files)] numbered below 8 million] (A8000000) and documents therein dated prior to May 1, 1951 | ||
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