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Archiver > PHILLY-ROOTS > 1999-03 > 0920735345


From: "Anthony Cline" <>
Subject: Re: [PHILLY-ROOTS-L] Naturalization, City Directories
Date: Sat, 06 Mar 99 07:49:05 PST


Hi, Edna

Using "The Source" edited by Eakle & Cerny, I found some interesting things about naturalization records.

"Owning land or an equivalent estate in merchandise for city dwellers required citizenship during the colonial period. At all times, citizenship was required to serve in public office or to vote."

Percentages of eligible aliens naturalized in 1901:

English 77.8%
German 65.4%
Irish 79.1%
Scotch 68.5%
Swedish 84.9%
Others countries were listed but had much lower percentages.

In 1802, 5 years of residency was required with 1 year in state where application made. 3 years of residency was required before an "intent to naturalize" could be filed. Criteria: Free, white males, 21 years old.

If alien dies after declsring intent, widow and children became citizens automatically. Those in military could become citizens after honorable discharge. Typical records created: unbound declarations of intention, sometimes called applications; proofs of residence; bound volumes of recorded declarations of intention; bound volumes of admissions to citizenship; certificates of naturalization; minute entry in court journal docket entries; indexes. All good stuff.

It seems that these rules were in place until 1906 with the exception of an amendment in 1808 concerning blacks (allowing citizenship) and in 1882, the Chinese (excluded from citizenship).

Susan in RI
---------
>
> Hi all, This may seem like a silly question, but what is a city
> directory? Also what information would a city directory give me. What
> information do I need to look in a city directory?
>
> Also, what information is in naturalization records? Do you need to
> know what year the person was naturalized to look up the records? What
> if you only had a name and year they came over to the U. S.? How can I
> find out more info, if this is all I have? As you can tell I'm new at
> this.
> Thanks for any help you can give. Edna
>
>

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