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Author: swolfy
Surnames: ZEIGLER, ZIEGLER, ZEIGLAR
Classification: immigration
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.zeigler/524/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
I have a petition for citizenship from the City Archives of Philadelphia, PA. I recently
learned that the petitioner is not my ancestor. Oopps. I would be more than happy to
either: scan and email it or snail-mail it to anyone interested. The information is as
follows:
The petition is for Christian Zeigler, who petitioned the Court in October, 1853. His
solemn oath stated that he was a native of Germany residing in Philadelphia County and was
about 34-years-old. (d.o.b.about 1819.) He was sworn to renounce the Grand Duke of Baden.
It is signed by the "prothonotary," Geo. Carpenter, on the 20th of October,
1853.
The second page leads me to believe that he was granted naturalization, as was sworn in
open court on 27 September 1856.
One of the most interesting aspects of these documents is that it appears Christian was
literate enough to sign his name not once but twice. The second page shows his signature,
as I said twice, spelling his surname "Ziegler;" the prothonotary completing the
paperwork apparently didn't notice the spelling of the name because he writes it,
again twice, as "Zeigler." (note the difference in spelling: "ie" as
opposed to "ei.")
Finally, another note of interest is that one Owen Hughes vouches for Christian, his
"good order and happiness of the same," and that he has resided in the US for
five years.
Please contact me at swolfy(a)charter.net if you are interested. If I receive more than one
request, I will send my actual copy to the first, and scanned copies to the rest.
Shawna
Grand Rapids, MI
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