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Archiver > POLAND-ROOTS > 2002-09 > 1032745254


From: Debbie Greenlee <>
Subject: Re: [POLAND] Re: POLAND-ROOTS-D Digest V02 #838
Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 20:40:54 -0500
References: <20020923011409.51492.qmail@web40005.mail.yahoo.com>


Ed,
Reading or writing English was not a prerequisite for becoming a
citizen. It might still be that way. Many applications were actually
filled out by a clerk and sometimes even the applicant's signature was
only an 'X'.

Most definitely look for your grandfather's naturalization papers.
Your grandmother, as a married woman, and depending on the year, would
have _had_ to become a citizen only through her husband's applications.

Sometimes people filed a Declaration of Intent in one county, moved, and
filed the Petition in another county. So, if they spent a few years in
another county, it's best to check places.

It doesn't hurt to exhaust all possibilities. Misspellings and/or
misfilings could be the reason you've had trouble locating information.
Debbie

Edward Potereiko wrote:
>
> My grandmother could neither read nor write. I am not sure, that was 3 years ago, maybe I should check.
> Also, I believe her husband did not read nor write English.
> I am not sure I checked for him.
> You think it is worthwhile ?
>
> They were in Bayonne, NJ. I will have to check the county. They then moved to NYC. I know that is the Eastern District Federal Court of Kings County for Brooklyn which is where they lived part of the time.
>
> My mom told me they weren't citizens.
> Eddie
>
> Ed,
> How can you be sure that your grandmother didn't become a citizen?
> Did you look for a Declaration of Intent, a Petition for
> Naturalization?
> Keep in mind that if she was married she probably would have been
> included on her husband's papers.
>
> Depending on the county she settled in, there could have been several courts that handled naturalizations, as well as a federal court.
>
> Did your grandmother vote? Just for grins you might look for a Voter's Registration record (in her county).
> Debbie

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