Immigration Documents Can Be Key Links

Most genealogists eventually find at least one immigrant ancestor who may have crossed the pond (a moniker for the Atlantic) anytime in the 300-plus years of our continent’s immigration history. And most genealogists, when they finally arrive at the ocean’s shores, want to know all about this immigrant ancestor.

Naturalization records have long been the primary and most desired way for family historians to learn about their immigrant ancestors.

Naturalization, states Christina K. Schaefer in her new book, “Guide to Naturalization Records in the United States,” is the procedure in which aliens are granted citizenship in a new country.

“Naturalization records can provide the vital link to tracing an ancestor to his or her country of origin,” writes Schaefer. “These records can be found in a variety of courts. The process of naturalization could be initiated in one state, often the port of entry, and completed in a different state. Citizenship was not mandatory, but many immigrants obtained it as part of re-establishing their national identity in a new country.”

Naturalization records have traditionally been difficult to locate because they can be found in several courts in the several places our ancestors lived.

Schaefer’s new book fills a gap in our knowledge of these records and allows practical use of this allimportant genealogical resource.

Going state by state, county by county, city by city, “Guide to Naturalization Records in the United States” identifies all repositories of naturalization records, systematically indicating the types of records held in each location (declarations of intention, petitions for naturalization, case files, indexes, etc.), their dates of coverage and the location of original and microfilmed records. The guide also pinpoints the location of federal court records in all National Archives facilities.

The guide identifies every piece of information on naturalization available on microfilm through the National Archives or the Family History Library System, including the call numbers used by each institution. Microfilmed records available through other facilities are also included.

In the five pages devoted to Washington, it states Washington was part of the Oregon Territory from 1848 to 1853, became a separate territory in 1853, and gained statehood in 1889. Naturalization records in Washington can be found in county Superior Courts and U.S. Territorial, Circuit, and District Courts. There is a county-by-county listing of when the original records were made and where they are now. Records for Spokane County are at the National Archives Regional Branch in Seattle.

At the end of each state’s listing is a suggested reading list. Washington state’s bibliography has eight items, which allows researchers plenty of opportunity to learn about naturalization records in the Evergreen State.

The book also has an appendix on Native American tribal citizenship records and information on the hard-tofind records of Japanese and Chinese Americans. Included are 20th-century sources.

The book may be ordered for $25, plus $3.50 postage, from Genealogical Publishing Co, 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore MD 21202-3897, or by calling (800) 296-6687. It’s also available at Ancestors Plus, 825 W. Garland.

The Sept. 6 meeting of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society begins at 12:30 p.m. with cookies and conversation. At 1, Shirley Penna Oakes will discuss “Using the Pennsylvania Archives Series.” A free beginners’ class is from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review