Pennsylvania, Western District, Naturalizations - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
Petitions for naturalizations, declarations of intention, and other naturalization records from the United States District and Circuit Courts of the Western District Court of Pennsylvania. Original documents are apart of Record Group 21 Records of District Courts of the United States and are held at the National Archives Philadelphia Branch.

Naturalization is a voluntary process by which immigrants can become American citizens and receive the rights granted with citizenship. Before 1790, British immigrants were automatically considered citizens. Some Protestant immigrants from other counties swore allegiance and requested citizenship from civil authorities. The process by which foreign immigrants could become citizens of the British empire colony, and later American citizens, was handled by the individual states until 1906, when the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization standardized immigration laws and procedures. The general requirements for citizenship include residency in one U.S. state for one year and in the United States for five years.

Naturalization papers are an important source of information about an immigrant's nation of origin, his foreign and “Americanized” names, residence, and date of arrival. Naturalization records were created to process naturalizations and keep track of immigrants in the United States. Immigrants could naturalize in any court that performed naturalizations. That included city, county, state and federal courts. Begin by looking for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant lived. Look first for the petition (second papers), because they are usually easier to find in courts near where the immigrant eventually settled. After 1906, the declaration can be filed with the petition as the immigrant was required to submit a copy when he submitted the petition. Because immigrants were allowed to naturalize in any court, they often selected the most convenient court. If they lived in the Western District but worked elsewhere, they may have gone to a court closer to work.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: Before 1906, the information recorded on naturalization records differed widely and often didn't mention the immigrant's town of origin or parents' names. These records may contain:


 * Arrival date and port of entry
 * Name and age of immigrant
 * Age of immigrant
 * Current residence of immigrant
 * Country of origin or allegiance

In 1906, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization was created and later renamed Immigration and Naturalization Services or INS. Some results included standardized forms throughout the country and copies of naturalization papers sent to the INS in addition to the court keeping a copy.

Naturalization records after 1906 contain more detailed information about the immigrants and their families. Possible information given in post-1906 naturalization records include: • 4

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate 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
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * Try searching by surname only
 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

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

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

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Naturalization records (Pennsylvania: Western District), 1820-1935 M1537
 * United States. District Court (Pennsylvania : Western District) Naturalization card file index, 1906-1990
 * Indexes to registers and registers of declarations of intention and petitions for naturalization of the U. S. District and Circuit Courts for the Western District of Pennsylvania, 1820-1906 : NARA RG21 publication M1208

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Pennsylvania, Allegheny, Pittsburgh, Naturalization Card File Index, 1906-1990

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.