Find your ancestors in New England, naturalizations 1791-1906

Learn more about your ancestors after they arrived in the United States and applied for citizenship in these naturalization records from New England, a group of six states in the northeast corner of the country. Uncover key details and the names and addresses of close friends or family members who witnessed their applications.

What can these records tell me?

Every record includes both a transcript as well as the original naturalization card of an individual who applied for naturalization. While the information for each person may vary, New England, naturalizations 1791-1906 usually provides:

  • Names
  • Address
  • Certificate number
  • Title and location of court
  • Country of birth
  • Birth date
  • Date of arrival in U.S.
  • Place of arrival in U.S.
  • Date of naturalization
  • Names and addresses of witnesses

    • Discover more about New England, naturalizations 1791-1906

    These applications for naturalization were filed at various courts throughout the six states of New England, which include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. These states form the northeastern corner of the United States and were all major places for immigration and settlement since colonial times. Immigrants moved here both for the rich and expansive farmlands and to the larger towns and cities like Boston, Providence, and Hartford.
    After the founding of the United States, new immigrants to the area who wished to become citizens needed to apply for naturalization before attaining citizenship.

    The Naturalization cards they filed are important documents that testify to their desire to become an American citizen. These foreign-born residents would register their information at the nearest courthouse and become naturalized residents, beginning the citizenship process. It was not uncommon for people to apply for naturalization years after they first arrived in the country.

    Use these records to uncover important new details about your family members’ journey in America, like their address and the names of close friends or family members who witnessed their naturalization. These details could help you uncover new possibilities for researching your family history.