Series 20786

WEBER COUNTY (UTAH). PROBATE COURT [1301]

DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION RECORD BOOK, 1860-1866
0.2 cu. ft. (1 vol.) and 1 microfilm reel

DESCRIPTION: This book documents the first stage in becoming a United States citzen. To become a citizen, an individual normally filed a "declaration of intention to become a citizen" at least two years prior to applying for citizenship. Each declaration, recorded by the court clerk, gives the name of the individual, the date, and the country of origin combined with a statement that the individual has sworn his intention to become a U.S. citizen and renounce allegiance to his native country.

The next step would be a naturalization hearing at which the candidate and witnesses either made oral statements or filed written petitions and affidavits attesting to the applicant's character, worthiness to become a citizen, and the validity of statements made to the court. If the judge found the applicant eligible to become a citizen, an oath was administered and the individual renounced his former citizenship. At this point a certificate of citizenship would be issued documenting the fact.

ARRANGEMENT: Entries are arranged chronologically, although a few were inserted out of sequence.

RELATED RECORDS: The probate court held concurrent jurisdiction with the district court during this period so other declarations of intention filed by Weber County residents from 1860-1866 may appear in the Third District Court DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION RECORD BOOKS, series 85111. CERTIFICATES OF CITIZENSHIP for the same district are in series 85110. The Supreme Court DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION AND CERTIFICATES OF CITIZENSHIP RECORD BOOKS, series 3942, contain Third District records from 1859-1860. Weber County was part of the Third District from 1859-1880.

DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION RECORD BOOKS from the other district courts from this period might also contain declarations of Weber County residents as individuals could file in any court of record: First District Court, series 85113; Second District Court, series 85174; and the Fourth District Court Series 85169. CERTIFICATES OF CITIZENSHIP from the different district courts include those from the First District, series 83895; the Second District, series 85175; and the Fourth District (from 1894-1895), series 85170. For other possible sources consult the Research Guide to Naturalization records.

PROCESSING NOTE: This series was archivally processed in October 1998 by A. C. Cone. The volume was microfilmed in October 1999.