New York Naturalization and Citizenship: Difference between revisions

Between 1664 and 1708 aliens occasionally sought British citizenship through the King of England or by a special act of Parliament. The Governor of New York or a deputy could also grant a letter of denization (similar to naturalization). Because the process was quite costly, most immigrants did not apply. Oaths of allegiance were also taken in 1664, 1673, 1687, and 1776. Most colonial naturalizations kept during the colonial period followed a 1740 Act of Parliament. Colonial naturalization records rarely give such information as age or town of origin.

Most existing records are found in the session laws described in the "[[New York Law and Legislation|Law and Legislation]]" section of this outline and in Kenneth Scott and Kenn Stryker-Rodda,''Denizations, Naturalizations, and Oaths of Allegiance in Colonial New York'' (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1975; FHL book 974.7 P4sc).

After 1790, aliens could declare their intention to become citizens and later be naturalized in any court of record. Most naturalizations took place in the county courts of common pleas, but they were also recorded in city, mayors', district, and other courts. After 1906, naturalizations were usually handled by the county supreme courts.

'''Works Projects Administration (W.P.A.) Index'''(Soundex) to Naturalization Records, 1792–1906, filed in:

* U.S. District Court, Southern District (1824–1906)

* U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District (1846–76)

'''New York County Index to Naturalization Records, 1792–1906''', filed in:

* Court of Common Pleas (1792–1895)

* Supreme Court (1795–1844, 1868–1906)

Kenneth Scott, ''Early New York Naturalizations: Abstracts of Naturalization Records from Federal, State and Local Courts, 1792–1840''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1981. (FHL book 974.7 P4s; fiche 6088272.) The record includes abstracts of naturalizations from the:

* New York City Court of Common Pleas (1792–1840)

* District Court for the Southern district (1824–1840)

In addition to the previously described W.P.A. index, the National Archives—Northeast Region has:

* U.S. Circuit Court for the Southern District of New York petitions, 1906–1911 (not at FHL)

* Petition index, 1846–1876, 1906–1911 (FHL film 1522858 items 2–3)

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York petitions:

* 1824–1940 (to 1897 on FHL films)

* Petition indexes, 1824–1941 (on 102 FHL films)

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York:

* Petitions, 1865–1957 (not at FHL)

* Petition indexes, 1865–1957 (FHL 142 films)

The National Archives Federal Records Center at the same address as the Northeast Region archives has:

* U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York petitions, 1958–1985 and declarations, 1960–1979.

The National Archives—Northeast Region has:

* U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York petitions, 1929–1940 and declarations, 1967–1976. (The declarations from 1941–1966 are missing.)

If you do not know if your ancestor was naturalized, search for important clues in federal censuses (1870–1920) and state censuses (1825–1925). The 1925 state census specifically asks for the date and place of naturalization. Voting registers often give similar information.