General
The naturalization records of Marinette County, 1879-1980, consist of Declarations of Intention, Petitions, Certificates, indexes to these records, and ancillary documents.
The original system of identifying volumes by number or letter was retained because the indexes are often keyed to this system. To eliminate confusion when requesting a particular volume, the researcher should specify not only the volume number but also the type of volume (e.g., Declarations or Petitions) and dates.
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 circulation purposes. Volume numbers that appear in brackets [ ] are numbers that were assigned by the archivist. Most records are also available on microfilm.
Indexes
Generally there are two types of indexes: (1) indexes to declarations of intention and (2) indexes to petitions and certificates. The basic indexes consist of an original handwritten index to Declarations and a duplicate typed version, both containing the same entries and covering the same time period. Similarly, there is an original handwritten index to Petitions and Certificates and a duplicate typed version but covering a wider time span.
Researchers should begin with the typed DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION INDEX, 1879-1970 (or Reel 1, Item 6). The index is fairly comprehensive for declarations, covering volumes 0 - 12. The DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION INDEX, 1879-1970, (in box 1 or Item 1 on Reel 1) is really the same index, only handwritten, and probably used to compile the typewritten volume. Entries in each index are arranged alphabetically by first letter of last name and roughly chronologically thereunder. It lists the name, volume and page number of the declaration.
The DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION INDEX, Volume 3 (Reel 1, Item 3) and DECLARATIONS OF INTENTION INDEX, Volume 4 (Reel 1, Item 4) are indexes to Declarations volumes 3 and 4 and duplicates entries found in the previous indexes. If you cannot find an entry in the comprehensive indexes for a declaration filed between 1888-1894, there is a small chance that it may be in these indexes.
To find Petitions and Certificates, researchers should begin with the PETITION INDEX, circa 1879-1980 (or Reel 1, Item 2). It indexes all Petitions (Volumes 1-8, 1-21), and Certificates (Volumes [0], [A1], [A2]). If using the microfilm version, be aware that the target is wrong, stating that Item 2 is an index to declarations, but it is actually this petition index. It should be easily recognized because unlike the indexes before and after, it is typewritten. The PETITION INDEX, 1879-1940 (or Reel 1, Item 5), is really the same index, duplicating the previous index, only handwritten and covering a shorter period of time. It was probably used to compile the typewritten volume but abandoned after 1940. Entries in each volume are arranged alphabetically by first letter of the last name and roughly chronologically thereunder. Entries list the name, date of petition or certificate, and volume and page or document number.
Records
DECLARATIONS, 1879-1970, are arranged roughly chronologically by date filed. Although Volumes 0 and Volumes 1 and 2 cover the same time period, they do not contain the same entries. Some volumes include an index at the front.
PETITIONS, 1891-1980, are arranged roughly chronologically by date filed. Note that in 1907 a new numbering system for the volumes was started beginning again with Volume 1. To distinguish between the two numbering systems be sure to include the year when requesting volumes. The petitions may also contain declarations, affidavits of witnesses, certificates of arrival, and depositions. A few certificates have also been found in some petition volumes. In addition, Certificates Volume A[2], 1900-1906, contains both petitions and certificates for every entry. Volumes 1-21, 1907-1980, include an index at the front.
CERTIFICATES, 1879-1906, are arranged roughly chronologically by date filed. Certificates, Volume [0], 1879-1892, may also contain declarations and petitions. Volume A[2], 1900-1906, contains both certificates and petitions for each entry. Certificates for 1907-1927 are in the form of stub books.
Ancillary Documents, 1926-1980, supplement the principal naturalization proceedings. There are no name indexes to these ancillary documents. The APPLICATION INDEX, 1939-1946, appears to be the clerk's log recording the date that First and Second Papers were “sent in,” perhaps to the INS office. Entries also contain the name and address of the applicant. The APPLICATION TO TAKE THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE documents, 1939-1949, are applications from women who lost their citizenship due to marrying a non-citizen and wished to re-gain their U.S. citizenship. Applications are filed chronologically by the date the oath was administered. MISCELLANEOUS APPEALS TO FILE DECLARATIONS OR PETITIONS, 1958-1966, are the working papers for filling out declarations or petitions. Some appeals have fingerprint cards attached. Apparently the appeals were unsuccessful because there are no declarations or petitions for these individuals elsewhere in this series. The DEPOSITIONS, 1926-1964, are filed by the corresponding petition number which is also chronological by the notarized date. LISTS OF CITIZENSHIP GRANTED AND DENIED, 1929-1980, are arranged by the date of the court order. Petitions Denied lists the petition number, name of petitioner, and cause for denial. Petitions Granted lists the petition number, name of petitioner, and name change if applicable. There are only three applications to TRANSFER petitions from one circuit court to another, 1964-1976. The MISCELLANEOUS documents, 1941-1972, consist of correspondence and forms relating to obtaining citizenship, information on citizenship of children by derivation through parents, and a program for a naturalization ceremony.
