Series 85170

DISTRICT COURT (FOURTH DISTRICT) [276]

CERTIFICATES OF CITIZENSHIP RECORD BOOKS, 1894-1896
0.6 cu. ft. (1 vol.), and 1 reel microfilm

DESCRIPTION: To become a citizen of the United States, an individual normally filed a "declaration of intention to become a citizen" at least two years prior to applying for citizenship. The next step was the 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 was issued documenting the fact. This volume contains copies of certificates of citizenship issued to newly naturalized United States citizens.

The volume contains preprinted forms which briefly summarize the naturalization hearing and contain blanks for the date, individual's name, previous country and kingdom, current county of residence, the individual's signature, and the clerks' signature as witness:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TERRITORY OF UTAH, COUNTY OF WEBER

Be it Remembered, That on the _______ day of _______ in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety _______, _______ late of _______, in the Kingdom of _______, at present of _______, in the Territory aforesaid, appeared in the Fourth Judicial District Court of the United States, in and for Utah Territory, and applied to the said Court to be admitted to become a CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, pursuant to the directions and requirements of the several Acts of Congress in relation thereto. And the said _______ having thereupon produced to the Court such evidence, made such declarations and renunciation, and taken such oaths as are by the said Acts required; thereupon it was ordered by the said Court the said _______ be admitted, and he was accordingly admitted by the said Court to be a CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Signature __________________________________ CLERK

ATTEST: ___________________________ By ________________________ DEPUTY CLERK

ARRANGEMENT: Entries are chronological.

RELATED RECORDS:Series 85169 contains DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION RECORD BOOKS of the Fourth District during the territorial period for many of the individuals whose naturalization records are in this series. Fourth District Court minutes may contain more details about these naturalization hearings.

The DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION RECORD BOOKS from the other district courts from this period might also contain declarations of some of the individuals whose naturalization records are in this series. The researcher may want to consult DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION RECORD BOOKS from the First District Court, series 85113; the Second District Court, series 85174; and the Third District Court, series 85111. County probate courts held concurrent jurisdiction in citizenship cases during this time and records of these could also be checked. In addition, the Supreme Court kept DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION AND CERTIFICATES OF CITIZENSHIP RECORD BOOKS, series 3942. At statehood in 1896, the district court began keeping separate series of naturalization records and declarations of intention in each county. Identify specific series through the catalog. For other possible sources consult the Research Guide to Naturalization records.

PROCESSING NOTE: The series was transferred to the Archives and scheduled by Pat Scott in 1989. Archival processing by A.C. Cone was completed that same year. The volume was microfilmed in 1998.