Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

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== What is in This Collection? ==

The first collection consists of a card index to naturalization petitions for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1165908 NAID 1165908]. The card index was compiled from the following series: "Naturalization Petition and Record Books, 1906 - ca. 1975" [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/281842 NAID 281842,] "Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1991" [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/593882 NAID 593882,] and "Overseas Naturalization Petition Books, 1942-1956" [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1183015 NAID 1183015.]

'''Indexes the following collections'''

*Naturalization Petitions,1872-1902,[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1225038 NAID 1225038]

*Municipal and county naturalization records in northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, eastern Iowa and southern Wisconsin

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.  

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 is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Most 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.

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=== To Browse This Collection ===

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|title=Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979

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|title=lllinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950

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The Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950 is NARA publication M1285: [[Soundex]] Index to Naturalization Petitions for the United States District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois and Immigration and Naturalization Service District 9, 1840-1950. This card file is an index to petitions for residents of northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, southern and eastern Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa. Filed by [[Soundex]] codes the entries prior to 1906 differ from those after 1906.It includes no records from Cook County, Illinois, prior to 1871 as these records were destroyed by fire. For more information about Soundex indexes and instructions for coding names, see the Wiki article “[[Soundex]]."

== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==  

Index cards for naturalizations taking place prior to 1906 typically contain the following information. Not all information is provided on every card. :  

*Name of the petitioner  

*Residence of petitioner  

*Date of naturalization  

*Names and addresses of witnesses

Most cards that index naturalizations after 1906 provide space for the following information:  

*Name of petitioner  

*Address  

*Date of naturalization  

*Name and address of witnesses

Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petitions usually included the following:  

*Name of the immigrant  

*Country of birth  

*Names of witnesses  

*Signature of judge or court official

In post-1906 records, you may also find:  

*Birth date  

*Birthplace  

*Birth date of spouse  

*Residence of spouse

== Collection Content  ==

=== Sample Image ===

Image:Illinois, Northern District, Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions (10-0397) (11-0450) DGS 4640946 109.jpg|1920 Soundex Index Card

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== How Do I Search This Collection?  ==

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:  

*The approximate year of naturalization

*The place where your ancestor lived  

If you do not know this information, check the 1900 census and then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.  

=== Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division), Naturalization Index, 1926-1979 ===

#Select the '''Soundex Range''' to view the images

{{HR Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/1838804 Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950]. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.}}

=== How Do I Analyze the Results? ===

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a [[Use_Appropriate_Forms#Prepare_a_Research_Log |research log]].

== What Do I Do Next? ==

When you have located your ancestor’s naturalization 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.  

=== I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now? ===

*The witnesses named on naturalization records may have been older relatives of the person in the naturalization process. Search for their naturalizations

*You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors

=== I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now? ===

*Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations  

*Try a different index if there is one for the years needed. You may also need to search the naturalization records year by year

*Search the indexes of nearby counties

=== Research Helps ===

The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of [[Illinois, United States Genealogy|Illinois]].

* [[Illinois Research Tips and Strategies|Research Tips and Strategies]]

* [[Step-by-Step Illinois Research, 1880-Present|Step-by-Step Research]]

== Citing This Collection  ==

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

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== How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki? ==

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[[Category:NARA_Naturalization_and_Citizenship_Records]]