Naturalization Records
Genesee County Naturalization Records
The Genesee County History Department maintains naturalization records that document the process used by immigrants seeking United States citizenship. The collection includes Declarations of Intention, Petitions and related court records dating from the early 1800s through the mid-1900s.
Declarations of Intention
Historical Background
The naturalization process was among the early responsibilities of the court system under federal laws enacted in 1790 and 1802. Non-citizens, historically referred to in these records as aliens, appeared before the court and submitted documents that could include Declarations of Intention, Oaths of Allegiance, witness affidavits and petitions.
These records document changes in the information required during the naturalization process and provide historical evidence of immigration patterns and changing government procedures. Citizenship provided individuals with rights and responsibilities that included voting and jury service.
Description of the Records
The collection includes preprinted Immigration & Naturalization Service forms with handwritten or typed entries. Information may include:
- State, county and town
- Name
- Age
- Occupation
- Physical description
- Color
- Place of birth
- Current residence
- Where, when and how the person emigrated
- Spouse's name
- Port of arrival
- Date of arrival
- Name of the king or emperor to whom allegiance was renounced
- Signature
- Date sworn
- County Clerk's signature
Purpose of the Record
A Declaration of Intention served as an initial application to a court of record in which an individual renounced allegiance to a foreign power and declared an intention to become a citizen of the United States.
Finding Aids
- Index: Aliens Declaration of Intention, Volumes 1-11, 1849-1929
- Index: Record of Aliens, Naturalization of Aliens, Volumes 1-6, 1849-1906
- Index: Naturalizations File Boxes A-E, 1895-1964
Earlier Naturalization Records
Earlier naturalization records were filed in Miscellaneous Record Books 3-6, approximately 1832-1849, and these books have been indexed.
For naturalizations from 1802 to 1849, refer to the Naturalization Records index, which includes records from the miscellaneous record books and early Court Minute Books. Contact the County Clerk for assistance.
Naturalization Petitions
Historical Background
The naturalization process was among the early responsibilities of the court system under federal laws enacted in 1790 and 1802. Non-citizens, historically referred to in these records as aliens, appeared before the court with documents that could include Declarations of Intention, Oaths of Allegiance, witness affidavits and petitions.
These records document changes in the information required during the naturalization process and provide historical evidence of immigration patterns and changing government procedures. Citizenship provided individuals with rights and responsibilities that included voting and jury service.
Description of the Records
The petition collection includes preprinted Immigration & Naturalization Service forms with handwritten or typed entries. Information may include:
- Name of petitioner
- Date the petition was filed
- Hearing date
- Name of the citizen giving a deposition
- Witness signature
- Occupation
- Address
- Birthplace
- Age
- Length of time the petitioner had lived in the country
- Information regarding moral character
- Signature of the Naturalization Examiner
- Date
Purpose of the Record
A Naturalization Petition served as the final papers submitted to a court of record by an individual requesting United States citizenship.
Finding Aids
- Index: Naturalization Petition & Record, Volumes 1-7, 1907-1929
Earlier Naturalization Records
Earlier naturalization records were filed in Miscellaneous Record Books 3-5, approximately 1832-1849, and these books have been indexed.
For naturalizations from 1802 to 1849, refer to the Naturalization Records index, which includes records from the miscellaneous record books and early Court Minute Books (CC.14). Contact the County Clerk for assistance.
Historical Value
Naturalization records document changes in the information required of immigrants seeking citizenship and provide valuable resources for genealogy, family history and immigration research.