AGENCY: District Court (Sixth District : Sevier County)
SERIES: 13475
TITLE: Naturalization record books
DATES: 1896-1965
ARRANGEMENT: Chronological by date record was filed.
DESCRIPTION: These volumes contain documentation of the final steps of becoming a United States citizen. They include petitions for naturalization, certificates of citizenship, and accompanying documentation.
The first volume contains only certificates of citizenship. The forms provide date, applicant's name, former country and kingdom, and current county of residence. After 1906, courts were required to use preprinted forms furnished by the federal Bureau of Naturalization. The petition for citizenship an applicant filed included the individual's name, residence, occupation, birth date and place; place from which emigrated, date, port of arrival, and vessel name; date when declared his intention of becoming a citizen and court involved; his wife's name, birthplace, and residence; children's names, birth dates, birthplaces, and residences. Also included on the petition form were the affidavit of two citizen witnesses validating the individual's petition information and declaring he was of good moral character. The oath of allegiance and the court order admitting the petitioner to citizenship are included. By 1920 space was added for memoranda of continuances, names of substitute witnesses, and space to record denial, not just the acceptance, of the petition. Declarations of intention, certificates of arrival, and correspondence are bound with the applications.
RETENTION
DISPOSITION
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION
These records are in Archives' permanent custody.
FORMAT MANAGEMENT
Paper: Retain in Office permanently after being microfilmed.
Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
APPRAISAL
Historical
The records in this series are of permanent historical value as documentation of the naturalization process. Records also contain genealogical information about individuals.
PRIMARY DESIGNATION
Public