Guide to Naturalization Records of the United States (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Naturalization is the procedure by which an alien by birth is granted citizenship in a new country. Most U.S. citizens have ancestors who were naturalized; even Native Americans, considered a separate nation by the U.S. government, were naturalized in the early 1900s. Since naturalization records are scattered, this book will be essential for genealogists and other researchers who seek them.

Introductory matter lists types of data found in declarations of intentions, depositions, petitions, and certificates of naturalization. A brief history notes important U.S. naturalization laws and groups affected and discusses the special topics of Chinese and Japanese Americans and German and Italian Americans in World War II. Schaefer also notes alternative sources of citizenship information, including census schedules, homestead and passport applications, and military records, which can be checked if final naturalization papers cannot be found. Types of courts, records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, advice about how to obtain copies of records, and a reading list round out the introduction.

The main section is arranged alphabetically by state. A short paragraph notes important dates for territorial status and statehood, location of naturalization records, and alternative sources unique to each state. The bulk of each chapter covers statewide court and individual county records and resources in great detail. Included are name of court or county, type of record (declarations of intention, petitions, court minutes, naturalizations, immigration lists), format (original, microform, and/or book compilation), the Family History Library System or National Archives numbers, any available indexes, and special-use instructions. Addresses and phone numbers for major archives and libraries and a suggested reading list are provided for each state. For individual county courthouse addresses, readers will need to consult a separate directory.

There is a chapter on naturalization records in U.S. territories and possessions, an appendix on records of Native Americans, a glossary, and addresses of National Archives facilities. A sample form for requesting records is included in the appendix on Native Americans. Photographs and copies of original records add interest throughout the text.

The only other comparable title is Locating Your Immigrant Ancestor: A Guide to Naturalization Records (Everton, 1986). Most public and genealogical research libraries will want to acquire this more current guide.

Review

"Schaefer took on an extremely ambitious project. She has succeeded in bringing together an enormous amount of disparate information of practical use to researchers...It appears that the major portion of the book is accurate and reliable, and a credit to author and publisher." --NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY, Vol. 84, No. 4, pp. 113-115.

It is an outstanding reference work."- --American Reference Books Annual (1998)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 394 pages
• Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Company; 1st edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806315326
• ISBN-13: 978-0806315324
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #311,720 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely arranges all repositories of naturalization records by state, county, and city, December 13, 2005

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Christina Schaefer's "Guide To Naturalization Records Of The United States" is nicely arranges all repositories of naturalization records by state, county, and city. Systematically organized by type of records held, dates of coverage, locations of original and microfilm records in their holdings, these repositories can be methodically accessed by even the most novice of genealogists. The "Guide To Naturalization Records Of The United States" also pinpoint federal court records in all National Archives facilities and identifies all information that is available on microfilm either through the National Archives or through the Family History Library System. Also included are records available on microfilm through other facilities as well. Enhanced with a history of naturalization and citizenship, an appendix on Native American tribal citizenship records, the records of Japanese and Chinese Americans, and records of internment of American citizens by the federal government, "Guide To Naturalization Records Of The United States" is a core addition to any professional genealogy reference collection and of great assistance to anyone's quest to identify and record their own family history with respect to the American citizenship of their forebears.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely arranges all repositories of naturalization records by state, county, and city, December 13, 2005

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Christina Schaefer's "Guide To Naturalization Records Of The United States" is nicely arranges all repositories of naturalization records by state, county, and city. Systematically organized by type of records held, dates of coverage, locations of original and microfilm records in their holdings, these repositories can be methodically accessed by even the most novice of genealogists. The "Guide To Naturalization Records Of The United States" also pinpoint federal court records in all National Archives facilities and identifies all information that is available on microfilm either through the National Archives or through the Family History Library System. Also included are records available on microfilm through other facilities as well. Enhanced with a history of naturalization and citizenship, an appendix on Native American tribal citizenship records, the records of Japanese and Chinese Americans, and records of internment of American citizens by the federal government, "Guide To Naturalization Records Of The United States" is a core addition to any professional genealogy reference collection and of great assistance to anyone's quest to identify and record their own family history with respect to the American citizenship of their forebears.