CZECH-L Archives

From: "ETM" <>
Subject: [CZ] Naturalization Process
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2000 12:11:56 -0500

I shared this with another list and also thought it would be of interest
here.

The formal naturalization process did not begin until 1905. Note the
following comments from the NARA site at

http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/natural.html

"In 1903 a Justice Department investigator made even more condemnatory
comments:

"I find the naturalization records in many cases in a chaotic condition,
many lost and destroyed, and some sold for old paper. Most the records
consist of merely the name and nativity of the alien with no means of
identifying aliens of the same name....In numerous cases I find aliens
naturalized under initials instead of Christian names, surnames misspelled
or changed entirely, and names of witnesses inserted in place of the alien
naturalized....The examination of the records discloses the remarkable fact
that never, since the first enactment of the naturalization laws, has any
record been made in any court of the names of minor children who, under the
operation of the statutes, were made citizens by the naturalization of their
parents."

Another very interesting site chockfull of personal information about
immigration is at

http://www.tccweb.org/immigrat.htm

Elaine
Czech-L Listowner
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~elainetmaddox/index.htm

This thread:

• [CZ] Naturalization Process by "ETM" <>