A cooperative
project of the Institute for Regional Studies,
NDSU Libraries, and State
Historical Society of ND
Consult the State Historical Society of North Dakota's
Naturalization
Records' information sheet regarding history of the naturalization
laws, types of records, and ordering photocopies. Consult the Institute
for Regional Studies'
Naturalization
Records Database for information on its scope and content, and
for ordering photocopies.
Search Tips for the Naturalization
Records Database
First and Last Names
The first and last names are in the same field in this database. The entry format for searching is [last name], [first name] (i.e. Smith, William).
Entering "William Smith" or "Smith William" without the separating comma, will give you no results. The search program actually looks for the sequence of letters that you input. The comma separates searching between the first and last names. Entering only "Smith" will give you, in addition to Smith, also such names as Goldsmith, Naismith, and Alex Smith Berntson. Adding the comma and at least the first letters of the first name will narrow your search.
Be aware that individuals may have changed their name between filing the declaration of intention (First Papers) and when they become a United Sates naturalized citizen (Second Papers).
Country of Origin and North Dakota
County
You may want to limit your search by adding
the country of emigration or the North Dakota county where the First
and Second papers were filed. A person did not have to reside in the
county where they filed their declaration of intention, but they did
have to reside in the county where they received their citizenship.
Also the country of origin may be different than an individual's country
of birth, or the country name may be different today from the time the
papers were completed or what the respondent provided.
Availability
The State Archives and Historical Research Library, SHSND, Bismarck, can provide copies of naturalization records for all North Dakota counties. A billing of $5.00 per person requested will be sent with the photocopies.
The Institute for Regional Studies can provide copies ONLY for the counties of Barnes, Cass, Griggs, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill. A billing of $5.00 per person requested will be sent with the photocopies.
The Elwyn B. Robinson Dept. of Special Collections , Chester Fritz Library, UND, can provide copies ONLY for the counties of Cavalier, Grand Forks, Pembina, Nelson, Ramsey, Traill and Walsh. A billing of $5.00 per person requested will be sent with the photocopies.
