Ohio, Stark County Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
Though the first naturalization act was passed in 1802, Ohio records were generally kept from 1851 to the present.

Record History
Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen. No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

Why This Record Was Created
Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. Ohio’s counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship.

Record Reliability
Information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

Record Description
The volumes vary in size and format. Prior to 1906 each document was usually handwritten on one page. From the late 1800s and on, printed forms were used. After 1906 many entries were typewritten. Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.

Record Content
While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information and included the following:


 * Name of the immigrant
 * Country of birth
 * Arrival date
 * Date of Declaration of Intent or Naturalization
 * Names of witnesses
 * Signature of judge or court official

In post-1906 records, you may also find:


 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Age
 * Race
 * Last foreign residence
 * Current residence
 * Arrival place
 * Marital status
 * Name of spouse
 * Maiden name of wife
 * Birth date of spouse
 * Residence of spouse

How To Use This Record
Use naturalization records to learn the immigrant’s place of origin, date of arrival, foreign and “Americanized” names. This information can help you find more records in his or her country of origin.

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