Using Naturalization Records at the Westchester County Archives

 

The naturalization records held by the Westchester County Archives span almost two centuries.  These records document the two-step process by which immigrants to the United States first declared their intention to become a citizen (the Declaration) and then, after being a resident of the country for a required period of time, petitioned in court to become a naturalized citizen (the Petition).  They come in various forms and can contain varying types of information.

The Westchester County Archives is engaged in an ongoing effort to create an online index to the naturalization records it holds.  The index covers most records through 1927.

   Petition for US Citizenship, 1901
Petition for US citizenship, 1901. Series 11, Naturalization Petitions, A-0140 (38)L, folder 2
       
Types of information available
The naturalization records housed at the Westchester County Archives can be quite useful in performing genealogical research or in studying immigration patterns in a community.  At the very least, with the exception of Registration of Admittance records, they provide the name of the individual, the country the person immigrated from, and the date of the declaration or petition.  Other information that may be found on naturalization records includes date of birth of the individual, place of birth and occupation, the name of the vessel they traveled on to the United States and the port of entry, and the names of any spouse or children.  Naturalizations records created after 1906 contain the most information.
Click here to view sample naturalization records.
              
Listed below are the exact years for which Declarations and Petitions are available at the Archives.  Click on the name or series numbers to view a description of the records and the types of information available from the records.
           
Naturalization Records Available at the Westchester County Archives
Series 6 Declaration of Intention Record Books, 1857-1906
Series 33 Declarations of Intention, 1906-1930
Series 11 Naturalization Petitions, 1895-1991
Series 14 Naturalization Petitions, Rejected, 1898-1906
Series 13 Naturalization Record Books [Petitions], 1844-1906
Series 130 Naturalization Records Index, 1808-1960 (gaps)
Series 15 Naturalization Records, Miscellaneous, 1808-1905
                      
If you have any questions regarding locating or using naturalization records at the Westchester County Archives, please contact the Archives Reference Desk.


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archivesreferencedesk@westchestergov.com