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From: Joan <>
Subject: Re: [Q-R] Applying for Naturalization in the US in 1870
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:51:41 -0700 (PDT)
References: <1316700512.35388.YahooMailNeo@web59414.mail.ac4.yahoo.com><4E7B4D2C.4050904@videotron.ca>
In-Reply-To: <4E7B4D2C.4050904@videotron.ca>
Mona,
My guy was naturalized in 1874. He had a special form which pointed out that he entered the country as a minor (under 18 years). Were there special, maybe less stringent, citizenship requirements for minors?
Thanks!!
Joan
Researching BOND, MEAGHER, and PELLERIN in Port Felix, Nova Scotia.
Researching LAFORET and SAAM in Williamsburg NY and Frankenthal Germany
Researching CONNOLLY and McLAUGHLIN in Cty Tyrone Ireland and Ontario Canada
________________________________
From: Mona Andrée Rainville <>
To: Joan <>
Cc: "" <>
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 10:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Q-R] Applying for Naturalization in the US in 1870
Hello Joan,
1870 is a key date in U.S. immigration law. That year, Congress passed a new Naturalization Act which spelled out the process naturalization was to follow from then on.
Knowing this piece of legislation was coming, many folks rushed to the Canada-U.S. border to make certain they'd get into the US before the law was passed. It was passed on July 14th, 1870. That is why 1870 is such a busy year immigration wise.
Here is a link to the relevant Minutes of the 41th U.S. Congress: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=016/llsl016.db&recNum=0289
The process of naturalization, until then, was on an honour basis. The claimant would declare his name, place of birth, and so on, in a sworn statement, solmn affirmation, or simply under oath, and that was that. The clerk would record what he heard - or most likem what he thought he'd heard - and the claimand would sign the form....when the claimant could write, that is.
No other proof was usually required.
The 1870 Amendment instituted penalties, severe enough to deter anyone from lying in the first place. Seems there was a needfor these penalties, if you read Section 2, you'll know why.
Cheers,
Mona
Joan wrote:
> Hi Everyone!
>
> I've been researching a different line so I haven't posted here for a while. I read the digest everyday though. This question doesn't pertain to a Quebec ancestor, but you folks are so knowledgeable I thought I'd ask you.
>
> If someone was applying to be naturalized in the US in 1870, do they have to provide some sort of proof of their name and/or birth date? Or do they just state it and it's accepted as fact?
>
> Thanks guys!
>
> Joan
>
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