Jared,
In which census record did you find the date of 1874 given for
naturalization? The only census year that I know of which has a column for
the year of naturalization is 1920 - but the 1920 census also has a column
for date of immigration. Is it possible that you confused the date given for
immigration with naturalization?
1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 census all include a column for the person's year
of immigration to the U.S.
1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 census all indicate a person's naturalization
status - Al for Alien (not naturalized), Pa for first papers, and Na for
naturalized
As for tracking down naturalization records...you may find this page from
the PA State Archives site to be helpful:
http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/naturali.htm You will have greater luck
in locating these if you can confirm the date and narrow down the location.
If your gggrandfather did indeed immigrate between 1871 and 1874 then he
most likely did not become naturalized in 1874 as you had to live in this
country for 5 years first. He may have filed his first papers, however, as
there was only a 2-year time period imposed. You can learn more about
naturalization laws and records at the sites listed here:
http://genealogy.about.com/cs/naturalization/
Hope this helps!
Kimberly
Kimberly Powell
Genealogy Guide
About - The Human Internet
http://genealogy.about.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Jared Scheel [mailto:jscheel@cox.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 10:50 PM
To: PAGENWEB-L(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Naturalization help
Hi All,
I need some advise on finding naturalization papers in Pennsylvania.
My great-great-grandfather John Scheel immigrated from Germany to America
sometime between 1871 & 1874.
According to census records he filed for his naturalization or took the oath
somewhere in Pennsylvania in 1874. I don't know for sure which it was.
I don't have a clue where in Pennsylvania he filed.
I also have check the "Germans to America" books to find out when for sure
he immigrated but unfortunately he is not listed in them.
Does anyone have any ideas how I should proceed in finding his
naturalization papers?
Thanks for your time,
Jared Scheel
Kansas