Bremen emigration of Heinrich & Bernardina Gieske, 1882 or 1883

Question

I know that many Bremen passenger ship lists were destroyed when that city was bombed in WWII. However, I am still hoping to find a record of the emigration of brother & sister Heinrich & Bernardina Gieske , from Neuenkirchen, Oldenburg. 
 &bull; According to US Census (1900, 1910, 1930), Heinrich Gieske arrived in 1882 . &bull; According to US Census 1900, Bernardina Gieske Stuntebeck arrived in 1883 . Maybe more likely they came together? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Textual Reference Branch, Archives II · Answer

Gregory Gross 
 
 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 &ldquo;Browse by Port of Entry&rdquo; page provides links to Catalog descriptions and digitized records. Please note that there may be a fee for using Ancestry. Instead, please check for access at your local library, 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. 
 
 Also, please note that some immigrants entered the United States through Canada, and there are no border crossing records for the early 1880s. 
 
 If either of them naturalized, their naturalization records may give details about their arrival in the United States. Prior to September 27, 1906, any "court of record" (municipal, county, state, or Federal) could grant United States citizenship. Often petitioners went to the court most geographically convenient for them. As a general rule, the National Archives does not have naturalization records created in state or local courts. However, a few indexes and records have been donated to the National Archives from counties, states, and local courts. Researchers should contact the National Archives facility serving the state in which the petitioner resided to determine if records from lower courts are available. In certain cases county court naturalization records maintained by the National Archives are available as microfilm publications . Records from state and local courts are often at state archives or county historical societies . 
 
 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" (&rdquo;second papers&rdquo;). 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. 
 
 We hope this assists you with your research! 
 
 Sincerely, 
 
 Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RR2RA) 
 23-45425-JA