Alaska, State Archives (Juneau), Naturalization Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This is a collection of naturalization records for the state of Alaska for years 1900-1972. Forms include naturalization records, petitions, and declarations of intent. Digital capture of the originals is held at the Alaska State Archives in Juneau, Alaska.

Before 1906, immigrants could naturalize in any court that performed naturalizations including city, county, state and federal courts. As a result they often selected the most convenient court. If they lived in the Eastern District but worked elsewhere, they may have gone to a court closer to work. To begin, look for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant lived. If the county has an index search it first. Next look for the petition (second papers), because they are usually easier to find in courts near where the immigrant eventually settled.

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. 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. 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). Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters. The 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.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:


 * Name
 * Age
 * Occupation
 * Race


 * Physical characteristics
 * Place of residence
 * Place of birth
 * Vessel of emigration

Inventory
For a list of all the titles included in this Historical Records publication see Alaska State Archives (Juneau) Naturalization Records - Inventory

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the information found in the record to locate the death record
 * Search for other vital records such as birth and marriage
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in census records

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Alaska.
 * Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records
 * Alaska Guided Research
 * Alaska Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Alaska Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Newman, John J. ‘’American Naturalization Records;1790-1990: what they are and how to use them.’’ Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1998. FS Library 973 P47na
 * Szucs, Loretto Dennis ‘’They became Americans: finding naturalization records and ethnic origins’’ Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, c1998 FS Library 973 P47t
 * Alaska State Archives. Department of Administration District and territorial court system : record group inventory Juneau, Alaska : Alaska State Archives, 1987 FS Library 979.8 A1 no. 7
 * United States District Court
 * Declaration of intention, 1910-1929; naturalization records, 1910-1929; indexes to the naturalization records of the U. S. District Court for the District and Territory of Alaska, 1900-1929: M1241
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 1st Division. Alaska, naturalization and citizenship records, 1884-1991
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 2nd Division: Nome. Naturalization records, 1907-1934
 * Indexes to Naturalization Records of the U.S. District Court for the district, territory & state of Alaska (Third division), 1903-1991:M1788
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 4th Division: Fairbanks. Naturalization records, Sept. 1915-Dec. 1923 : NARA M1539
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 4th Division: Iditarod. Naturalization records, Oct. 1912-July 1915
 * United States District Court. territory of Alaska 4th Division: Juneau. Naturalization records, Oct. 1900-Sept. 1910
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 4th Division: Ruby. Naturalization records, Aug. 1919-May 1924
 * United States District Court. Territory of Alaska 4th Division 4th division: Skagway. Naturalization records, Mar. 1901-Jan. 1917


 * Alaska State Archives
 * Cordova, naturalization records, 1940-1947
 * Unalaska, naturalization records, 1936-1941

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.