The Dunn County Naturalization Records, 1852-1954, consist of nine series of records:
Declarations, Miscellaneous Declarations of Intention, Certificates of Naturalization,
Naturalization Petition and Record, Naturalization Indexes, Depositions, Naturalization
Orders, Repatriations, and Certificate of Naturalization Stub Books.
For preservation purposes some volumes have been dismantled and placed in boxes. For these
volumes the contents list gives the volume number in parentheses () for identification
purposes, and the box number for retrieval purposes.
All records are available in both original format and on microfilm.
Indexes
Researchers should begin by consulting the CARD INDEX, 1852-1954, which is the most
comprehensive of the indexes. It should be used to locate Declarations, Certificates, and
Petitions. The Card Index consists of the original cards created by the Clerk of Court's
office and cards created by the University of Wisconsin-Stout Area Research Center staff.
Information on the cards varies but will always include the name of the individual and date
and type of action (e.g., declaration, petition). Additional information may include some or
all of the following: petition number, Dunn Series number, archives volume and page number,
original volume and page number, date of naturalization, and miscellaneous information.
Researchers are advised to clearly note information given on the card and consult the list
at the end of this register to locate the desired record.
The index volumes contain entries for the same individuals found in the card index; however
they can be a useful check for reconciling conflicting spelling or other information.
The NATURALIZATION INDEX, 1865-1954, (Archives Volumes 1-3) is the court created index to
documents for individuals completing the process. It is not as complete as the CARD INDEX
since it does not include entries for 1852-1864 and does not include individuals who only
filed declarations or only declarations and petitions.
The INDEX TO DECLARATIONS & NATURALIZATIONS, 1859-1905, refers to declaration original
volumes A-D and 1-4 (archives volumes 1- in Dunn Series 55) and naturalization original
volumes A-C (archives volumes 1-3 in Dunn Series 56). The INDEX TO DECLARATIONS, 1899-1929,
refers to declaration original volumes 4-5 and 1-4 (archives volumes 7-12 in Dunn Series
55). The INDEX TO NATURALIZATIONS, 1899-1925, refers to original certificate volumes C-D
(archives volumes 3-4 in Dunn Series 56) and certificate stub book volumes 1-18 (Dunn Series
59).
Surnames in these series are included in the County Court
Records Index on the Area Research Center website. Entries give call number,
location, and date of document.
Declarations
MISCELLANEOUS DECLARATIONS, 1852-1860, consist of a small quantity in no particular order.
The first half of DECLARATIONS, 1859-1906, (archives volumes 1-8) are arranged roughly
chronologically. Note that volumes have overlapping dates. The second half of DECLARATIONS,
1906-1950, (archives volumes 9-14) are arranged numerically by declaration number (from 1 to
795) which is also chronological by date filed. Each volume for 1906-1950 includes a name
index.
Certificates of Naturalization
NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATES, 1861-1906, are arranged chronologically by date filed. It
should be noted that in this time period an individual's petition for citizenship could be
granted shortly after filing, so petitions are often part of the certificates.
Petition and Record
PETITIONS, 1907-1954, are arranged by petition number which is also chronological by date
filed. Declarations are usually attached as are related documents such as Certificate of
Arrival, Affidavit of Witnesses, and correspondence. Each volume contains a name index.
Ancillary Documents
CERTIFICATE OF NATURALIZATION STUB BOOKS, 1907-1927, are arranged chronologically. The
original Certificates and all Certificates after 1927 must be obtained from the federal
Immigration and Naturalization Service.
ORDERS GRANTING AND DENYING PETITIONS, 1929-1954, are filed in chronological order. The
“Orders” are the official orders of the court conferring or denying citizenship
and refer to accompanying lists of Petitions Recommended to be Granted or Denied. The lists
give the names of the petitioners, petition number, and name change if applicable. There is
no name index to these documents.
DEPOSITIONS, 1928-1950, contain depositions for 7 different individuals.
REPATRIATIONS cover a one-year period, 1940-1941. These were documents submitted by women
wishing to claim citizenship under the Repatriation Act of 1934. There is no name index to
these documents nor do the individuals appear in either the card or volume indexes.
