Michigan, Michigan State Archives, Naturalization Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains an index to naturalization records for Michigan, for the years 1812 to 1985. The index links to free images on Seeking Michigan.

Immigrants could naturalize in any court that performed naturalizations. That included city, county, state and federal courts. After 1906, federal courts naturalized many immigrants, however, other local courts continued to naturalize as late as 1985. Check all possible courts in the area your ancestor lived.

Begin by looking for naturalization records in the courts of the county or city where the immigrant lived. Look first for the petition (second papers), because they are usually easier to find in courts near where the immigrant eventually settled. After 1906, the declaration can be filed with the petition as the immigrant was required to submit a copy when he submitted the petition.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Naturalization records, prior to 1906 may contain:
 * Name of the immigrant
 * Port of arrival
 * Date of arrival
 * Age of immigrant
 * Residence of immigrant
 * Country of origin or allegiance

Naturalization records, after 1906 may contain:
 * Name of the immigrant
 * Birth date and place of immigrant
 * Spouse and children
 * Birth dates and places for spouse and children
 * Port of arrival
 * Date of arrival
 * Vessel of arrival
 * Occupation
 * Physical Description
 * Marriage date
 * Age
 * Residence
 * Last Foreign Address
 * Marital status

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate date of naturalization
 * The names of other relatives

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s naturalization record, carefully evaluate each piece of information about them. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Use the information from the naturalization record to search for an immigration record
 * Use the information from the naturalization record to search for a birth record
 * Use the information from the naturalization record to search for additional county and state records
 * Use the information from the naturalization record to search for additional family members in census records

I Can’t Find Who I’m Looking for, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Michigan.
 * Michigan Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.