Utah Naturalization and Citizenship: Difference between revisions

From the 1850s to 1874 immigrants in territorial Utah typically filed for naturalization in the probate courts. Due to problems between the federal government and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, most members went to probate courts because the judges were usually members of the Church, which made it easier to become citizens. From the 1850s to 1896 federal district courts were also used. Other courts, such as county courts, were occasionally used for the naturalization process.  

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who applied for naturalization during the 1870s and 1880s were often denied because of polygamy. This was seldom a problem after the Manifesto of 1890 when polygamy ended.  

*Utah. District Court. (Salt Lake County). ''Naturalization Records 1853–1936'', Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Archives and Records Service 1980–1981, 1989–1990. (On 48 FamilySearch Library {{FSC|577820|title-id|disp=films beginning with 1643989 item 3}}.) An index covering territorial and district courts from about 1858–1980 is on the first film in the series. It includes most northern Utah counties. Also in the series is declarations and petitions from 1851–1936. The territorial minutes indexed in this record are found in:  

*Utah. District Court. (Salt Lake County). ''Court Minutes, 1858–1920''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Archives and Records Service, 1981–1982. (On 33 Family History Library {{FSC|578220|title-id|disp=films beginning with 1670847}}.) These early minutes include naturalizations which are arranged chronologically in each volume.