DearMYRTLE - INS now USCIS

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INS now USCIS

From: Jim McGrath
DearMYRTLE,
My father received his naturalization papers in 1919 in Hampden County MA. I would like to get a copy of his application which has more detail. Do you know where this records would be stored? Is it at the state in Boston, or at the county seat in Springfield? Thanks for any help you can give me on this.

I am planning a trip to Mass this summer and would like to know where to get this info.

DearJIM,
Great hearing from a Bradenton Florida chum again! Since your father's naturalization occurred after 1909, a copy of his papers (1st papers, and such) were not only filed with a local (often county) court, but with the INS the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Since 9-11, the INS has undergone a name change according to Marian L. Smith, the Senior Historian for the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS is the new name). It was my pleasure to interview Marian during an April 2004 DearMYRTLE's FAMILY HISTORY HOUR. The broadcast is no longer available, but the "links we mention" page is still online at: http://www.dearmyrtle.com/04/0421.htm

There you will find all sorts of links to helpful USCIS articles to aid you with this research, Jim.

A review of the LDS Family History Library catalog online at: http://www.familysearch.org reveals that the Naturalization papers for Hampden County, Massachusetts are available on microfilm through the local LDS Family History Center in Bradenton, where you live for a nominal rental fee. These are "Microfilm of original records in the Hampden County superior court, clerk's office, Springfield, Massachusetts and in the Massachusetts State Archives, Boston."

Naturalization declarations of intention, 1906-1931 Massachusetts. Superior Court (Hampden County) (Main Author)

FHL Film #1450848 contains:
Vol. 42 (1918), v. 43 (1918), v. 44 (1918-1919), v. 45 (1919), v. 46 (1919), v. 47 to p. 211 (1919)

FHL Film #1450849 contains:
Vol. 47 from p. 211 (1919), v. 48 (1919), v. 49 (1919), v. 50 (1919), v. 51 (1919), v. 52 (1919-1920), v. 53 to p. 205 (1920)

If he was naturalized because of service in WWI, there is a different collection of records also on microfilm.

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
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