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From: Diane Kurtz <>
Subject: [NYFingerLakes-L] Naturalization records - miscellania
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 1998 12:36:26 -0400


"Guide to Naturalization Records of the
United States" by Christina K. Schaefer; Genealogical Publishing Co.,
1997. ISBN# 0-8063-1532-6

The introductory section for New York State:

"The earliest naturalizations in New York were the colonial oaths of
allegiance taken in 1664, 1673, 1687, and 1776. Letters of denization
were also granted by the king and by colonial governors until 1700.

After 1790 naturalization records in New York can be found in county
courts, including the county supreme courts, circuit courts, courts of
common pleas and the courts of oyer and terminer. City courts, mayor's
courts, marine courts and U.S. circuit and district courts also
performed naturalization. Listings in this section for individual
counties indicate where records are kept and if they have been filmed.

Alternate sources of citizenship information are state census records.
Decennial censuses taken from 1855 to 1875 include information on age,
place of birth, and years of residency. The 1892 census includes country
of birth and if a U.S. citizen. The 1905 census also includes if
naturalized and when. The 1925 census is the same as the 1915 and also
indicates where naturalized. Most of the surviving records have been
filmed and can be found in the Family History Libray Catalog under
individual counties in New York state. The original records are at the
State Library in Albany."

According to my dictionary (American Heritage) "oyer and terminer" 1.)a
hearing or trial 2.)a high criminal court in some states of the United
States

I *assume* that the films would be available through Family History
Centers as well as some historians office, ?
Perhaps someone on the list has more info on this.

Does anyone know what ff. after the film numbers mean? I initially
thought it referred to length of film but is not always there. Just a
curious question. Thanks.

Diane

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