1 Reply Latest reply on Jan 11, 2018 1:14 PM by cstumm

    NATIONAL ARCHIVES INDEX CARD

    Newbie
    rugbymom Jan 9, 2018 1:07 PM

      I found an index card on Ancestry that may have useful information on an ancestor.

      It is from 1929 ad is typed. There are 9 fields:

      DEC:     DATE:

      VOL     PAGE

      PETITION:     DATE

      VOL     PAGE

      ADMITTED:

      In the DEC field it has Philadelphia, PA and a date 9/25/22

      What does this mean? Did he arrive in Philadelphia?

      The final papers were filed in California.

      I am looking for family names because this ancestor changed his name when he arrived.

      Thanks for your input!

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        • Re: NATIONAL ARCHIVES INDEX CARD
          Wayfarer
          cstumm Expert Jan 11, 2018 1:14 PM (in response to rugbymom)

          DEC on the index card refers to the Declaration of Intention, also referred to as “first papers.” As a general rule at that time, an alien could file a declaration of intention to become a citizen after living here for two year. After an additional three years the person can file a petition for naturalization. There is a more detailed description of this process here.

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