Series 26729

District Court (Second District) Certificate of naturalization record books, 1878-1896.

1.00 cubic foot and 1 microfilm reel

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Historical Note

See history of the records' creator.

Summary of Records

These volumes contain standardized certificates of citizenship. These volumes contain only certificates of citizenship created by the Territorial Second District Court in Beaver County.

Scope and Content

To become a citizen of the United States during this period, an individual normally filed a "declaration of intention to become a citizen" at least two years prior to applying for citizenship. A naturalization hearing then took place at which time 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 their allegiance to all foreign sovereignties. At this point a certificate of citizenship was issued documenting the fact. These volumes contain standardized certificates of citizenship.
The volumes contain only certificates of citizenship. Each form gives the date, applicant's name, former town and country, current residence, and a standardized summary that the applicant had conformed to the legal requirementsof producing necessary evidence and taking the necessary oaths. The judge then signed admitting the applicant as a citizen.

Research Note

Prior to 1906, Beaver County residents could have filed papers in any court in the country. Citizenship and Declarations of Intention could have been filed in any of the District Courts, the Beaver County Probate Court or the Supreme Court. Since Beaver County was part of the 2nd District throughout the territorial period, records from this court primarily contained citizenship papers of county residents.

Arrangement

Chronological by date.

Additional Forms

This series is available on microfilm.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Use Restrictions

These records are available for reproduction and use.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Acquisition Information

These records were acquired from the creating agency through established retention schedules.

Processing Information

This series was archivally processed by Jim Kichas and Emily Gurr in May 2008 as part of a NHPRC grant project designed to preserve the historic records of Utah's Fifth District Courts.

Other Finding Aids

Indexes: The volumes have indices at the beginning. Entries are alphabetic by the first letter of the petitioner's surname.

Related Material

Minute books from the District Court (Second District), Series 5319, includes entries for civil, naturalization, and criminal cases as well as administrative actions of the court.
Declarations of intention record book from the District Court (Second District), Series 85174, includes declaration of intention records created by the court.
Certificates of citizenship record books from the District Court (Second District), Series 85175, includes certificates of citizenship issued by the court.

Indexing Terms

Container List

ReelVolumeDescription
111878-1896
121878-1896