New York State Supreme Court of Judicature (Utica) Naturalization Papers
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Overview of the Records
New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
0.2 cubic feet
Arrangement
Alphabetic by name of petitioner.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of documents relating to the naturalization of aliens by the Supreme Court of Judicature or by justices presiding at Circuit Courts.
The documents, mostly from Oneida County, include the declaration of intention, in which an alien states his intention to renounce allegiance to a foreign ruler or state and to become a citizen of the United States; and the petition for naturalization, stating the country (sometimes the place) of origin and length of residence in the U.S., and requesting to be admitted to citizenship. The petition is usually accompanied by an affidavit by persons acquainted with the alien, stating that he is of good moral character and has resided in the U.S. the required number of years; and by a copy of the oath of allegiance sworn by the alien. Naturalization of an alien could be performed in any court of record, as directed by an act of the U.S. Congress passed on April 14, 1802. Almost all naturalization proceedings in New York State during the early nineteenth century took place in the old Court of Common Pleas, whose records are maintained by the county clerks.
Alternate Formats Available
Items Online
The entire series is digitized as part of a larger collection of Naturalization Papers and is available to New York State residents for free on Ancestry.com New York. You must sign up for a free account to access these records without a paid subscription. To learn more, go to How to Use Ancestry.com New York
Ancestry.com
Naturalization Papers of Central and Western New York State, 1799-1847 on Ancestry.com
Related Material
J0128 New York State Supreme Court of Judicature (Utica) General Term Minute Books, contains final naturalization orders.
Other Finding Aids
Available at Repository
Name index is available at the repository.
Custodial History
The Court of Appeals placed these records on deposit at the Historic Documents Collection, Queens College, from 1973-1982.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.