Seeking info on Jakoba Giermana/Giarznana

Gabriel German 

Thank you for posting your question on History Hub!

The web page Browse Available Records by Port of Entry provides a list of ports of entry from this time period for which there are records. In addition, we suggest that you review the information and resources available on the National Archives website, including Immigrant Records at the National Archives, Immigration Records, and Passenger Arrival Records. We also suggest that you review the History Hub blogs Passenger Arrival Records at the National Archives, Passenger Arrival List Research Tips, and Immigration and Naturalization Records: Where are they?.

Some of the arrival records have been digitized and are available online using the National Archives Catalog. Please note that these records are usually NOT name searchable using the National Archives Catalog. Others are available from sites like Ancestry and FamilySearch, which often provide an option for searching by name. The “Browse by Port of Entry” page provides links to Catalog descriptions and digitized records. Please note that there may be a fee for using Ancestry. You may wish to check for access at your local, state, and university libraries, since many library systems subscribe to genealogical sites and make them free for their patrons to access.  FamilySearch may be used with a free account.

If he naturalized, information about his arrival into the United States may be noted in his naturalization records.  Beginning September 27, 1906, the responsibility for naturalization proceedings was transferred to the Federal courts. It took time for the lower courts to let go of the practice, so researchers may need to look at lower courts if the National Archives does not maintain a record of naturalization from the early-mid 20th century.

In general, naturalization was a two-step process* that took a minimum of five years. After residing in the United States for two years, an alien could file a "declaration of intention" ("first papers") to become a citizen. After three additional years, the alien could "petition for naturalization" (”second papers”). After the petition was granted, a certificate of citizenship was issued to the alien. These two steps did not have to take place in the same court.  [*Exceptions can include cases of derivative citizenship, processes for minor aliens 1824-1906, and special consideration for veterans.]

If a naturalization took place in a Federal court, naturalization indexes, declarations of intention (with any accompanying certificates of arrival), and petitions for naturalization will usually be in the National Archives facility serving the state in which the Federal court is located. No central index exists. To ensure a successful request with the National Archives, your email should include: the name of petitioner (including known variants); date of birth; approximate date of entry to the US; approximate date of naturalization; where the individual was residing at the time of naturalization (city/county/state); and country of origin.

In most cases, the National Archives will not have a copy of the certificate of citizenship. Two copies of the certificate were created – one given to the petitioner as proof of citizenship, and one forwarded to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). All INS records are now overseen by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS maintains duplicate copies of court records (including the certificate of citizenship) created from September 27, 1906 through March 31, 1956 within Certificate Files (C-Files). Beginning on April 1, 1956, INS began filing all naturalization records in a subject’s Alien File (A-File). C-Files and certain A-Files may be requested through the USCIS Genealogy Program. 

We hope this assists you with your research! 

Sincerely,

Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RR2RA)

23-42932-JA

Gabriel German 

Thank you for posting your question on History Hub!

The web page Browse Available Records by Port of Entry provides a list of ports of entry from this time period for which there are records. In addition, we suggest that you review the information and resources available on the National Archives website, including Immigrant Records at the National Archives, Immigration Records, and Passenger Arrival Records. We also suggest that you review the History Hub blogs Passenger Arrival Records at the National Archives, Passenger Arrival List Research Tips, and Immigration and Naturalization Records: Where are they?.

Some of the arrival records have been digitized and are available online using the National Archives Catalog. Please note that these records are usually NOT name searchable using the National Archives Catalog. Others are available from sites like Ancestry and FamilySearch, which often provide an option for searching by name. The “Browse by Port of Entry” page provides links to Catalog descriptions and digitized records. Please note that there may be a fee for using Ancestry. You may wish to check for access at your local, state, and university libraries, since many library systems subscribe to genealogical sites and make them free for their patrons to access.  FamilySearch may be used with a free account.

If he naturalized, information about his arrival into the United States may be noted in his naturalization records.  Beginning September 27, 1906, the responsibility for naturalization proceedings was transferred to the Federal courts. It took time for the lower courts to let go of the practice, so researchers may need to look at lower courts if the National Archives does not maintain a record of naturalization from the early-mid 20th century.

In general, naturalization was a two-step process* that took a minimum of five years. After residing in the United States for two years, an alien could file a "declaration of intention" ("first papers") to become a citizen. After three additional years, the alien could "petition for naturalization" (”second papers”). After the petition was granted, a certificate of citizenship was issued to the alien. These two steps did not have to take place in the same court.  [*Exceptions can include cases of derivative citizenship, processes for minor aliens 1824-1906, and special consideration for veterans.]

If a naturalization took place in a Federal court, naturalization indexes, declarations of intention (with any accompanying certificates of arrival), and petitions for naturalization will usually be in the National Archives facility serving the state in which the Federal court is located. No central index exists. To ensure a successful request with the National Archives, your email should include: the name of petitioner (including known variants); date of birth; approximate date of entry to the US; approximate date of naturalization; where the individual was residing at the time of naturalization (city/county/state); and country of origin.

In most cases, the National Archives will not have a copy of the certificate of citizenship. Two copies of the certificate were created – one given to the petitioner as proof of citizenship, and one forwarded to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). All INS records are now overseen by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS maintains duplicate copies of court records (including the certificate of citizenship) created from September 27, 1906 through March 31, 1956 within Certificate Files (C-Files). Beginning on April 1, 1956, INS began filing all naturalization records in a subject’s Alien File (A-File). C-Files and certain A-Files may be requested through the USCIS Genealogy Program. 

We hope this assists you with your research! 

Sincerely,

Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RR2RA)

23-42932-JA