A Guide to the Norfolk County (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1808-1895
A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Barcode numbers 1157329, 1207266
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia800 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000
USA
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Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives)
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© 2012 By The Library of Virginia. All Rights Reserved.
Processed by: Library of Virginia staff
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Preferred Citation
Norfolk County (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1808-1895. Local government records collection, Norfolk County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Acquisition Information
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Norfolk County.
Historical Information
Norfolk County was created in 1691 when Lower Norfolk County was divided into Norfolk County and Princess Anne County. Norfolk County became extinct on 1 January 1963, when it was consolidated with the city of South Norfolk to form the city of Chesapeake. The county seat was Portsmouth.
Prior to 1906, naturalizations could be recorded in any court — federal, state, county, or city. Declarations of intent were the record by which an applicant for U.S. citizenship declared their intent to become a citizen and renounced their allegiance to a foreign government. A declaration of intention normally preceded proof of residence or a petition to become a citizen by two or more years. Beginning in 1795, a person could declare their intent to become a citizen at any time and in any place after they arrived in the United States.
Scope and Content
Norfolk County (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1808-1895, include affidavits, reports for naturalization, declarations of intent to become United States citizens, and notices of application for admission of citizenship. The reports are narrative accounts made by applicants summarizing their journey to the United States. The declarations of intent record the person's name, place of birth, age, country of previous citizenship, renunciation of allegiance and fidelity to the nation of which the person is currently a citizen, and the date the intention was sworn. Also found in the collection are affivdavits filed with the reports and declarations. They were given by individuals who knew the applicant and could vouch for their loyalty to the United States.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date naturalization record was recorded.
Index Terms
- Norfolk County (Va.) Circuit Court.
- Immigrants -- Virginia -- Norfolk County.
- Naturalization -- Virginia -- Norfolk County.
- Norfolk County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century.
- Local government records -- Virginia -- Norfolk County.
- Naturalization records -- Virginia. -- Norfolk County.
Corporate Names:
Subjects:
Geographical Names:
Genre and Form Terms:
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Norfolk County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century.