[Genealib] Minor Naturalizations

[Trevia W Beverly]

My first thought is that perhaps, like some today, the minor was doing his
'intent' and even taking the oath -- and then doing the final steps upon
reaching maturity - age 18 or 21.   I do believe the # of years indicates
age.  Without some other answers, it will be hard to determine ---
* this was an Index to Naturalization Petitions .... has the patron followed
through on the other steps of naturalization to see if they were completed.
Normally the process was/is
 . Declaration of Intention (first papers)
. Petition (the court to become a citizen).

. Oaths of Allegiance, of fidelity and abjuration. (renunciation of birth
country)
* what was the law at the time
* were these unaccompanied minors
* did it give any clue as to what country they were from
* did your patron read the preface/instructions at the front of that film
for any explanatory notes
* what was found on the first census after those dates; were they with
parents, etc.

In 2006 I presented an all day seminar on Immigration & Naturalization at
the Angelina College Genealogy Conference.  The outline is 22 pgs long.
While it is an outline without my remarks or the Q&A, it still might be
helpful in that most of the major laws are listed, etc.  Anyone who wants a
copy, request it from treviawbeverly at houston.rr.comn and let me know
who/where you are.

Trevia Wooster Beverly
Houston, Texas

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kristen Smith" <ksmith at aapld.org>
To: "Librarians Serving Genealogists" <genealib at lists.acomp.usf.edu>
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2007 8:44 PM
Subject: [Genealib] Minor Naturalizations


I have a question about minor naturalizations, that is immigrants who were
minors at the time of their immigration who were eligible for "speedy"
naturalizations if they met certain residency requirements once they reached
the age of majority.  (In other words, not the derivative naturalizations of
actual minors).

A patron found two puzzling references in microfilm publication M1285, which
is an index to naturalization petitions filed in county courts in eastern
Iowa, northwestern Indiana, eastern Wisconsin, and northern Illinois.  One
naturalization, from 14 Oct 1884 says "Minor 12 yrs."  Another, from 1898,
says "Minor 10 yrs".   I'm assuming that since these individuals are listed
in the index, they are minor naturalizations, as opposed to minors who
received derivative citizenship.  I'm puzzled what the years reference.
Does it mean that the individuals immigrated to the US at 12 and 10 years of
age respectively?  Or, perhaps that they have resided in the US for 12 or 10
years?  Or perhaps something else?

 I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might have some insight as to
how to interpret this information.


Thanks!

 Kristen Newton Smith, M.L.S.
Reference Librarian
Algonquin Area Public Library

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