Naturalization Records
I am continually frustrated by indexers who do not fully read the PI or do not read the PI at all. A few reminders:
Children and spouses are not indexed. They are not the ones seeking Naturalization. Spousal information is index in the same record as the applicant, starting with the spouse's given name.
The OOA date is not the date used for the Record Date on the PET. The date to be used is in the AOW section, with the paragraph that starts with Subscribed and sworn before me. Post 1940 PETs have that date on the back of the page. You may have to use the +1 reference image to find the date. The dates on the front of the PET, starting with I declared my intention are also not used as the Record Date.
Every variation of the applicants name is indexed, not just what is on line 1. Variations are found after the listing of any children.
Indexing symbols other than * and ? are not indexed.
DECs an PETs are not duplicates of one another. They (along with the OOA) are separate documents and are indexed. The PET has a different record number and also may include changes such as the applicant's or spouse's name or birthplace. The only time where the DEC and PET are indexed together is if they are on the same image.
Answers
-
Please spell out your acronyms. OOA, AOW, PET, DEC have no clear meaning to me.
4 -
OOA: Oath of Allegiance
AOW: Affidavit of Witnesses
I think that DEC is short for Declaration (as in, DEClaration of Intention) and PET is short for Petition (PETition for naturalization). I don't know what else they could stand for, and it seems to match up with what he said.
3 -
Yeah well some of us haven't done indexing before or find the PI confusing and not that all informational. Not to sound hostile, but please consider that some people have that experience. Otherwise the information you gave was very helpfull.
2 -
@erutherford Thanks to you and others who answer the same questions day after day after day.
5 -
There are some examples, you know. Hardly anyone reads them.
0 -
We should read all instructions for each project as well as general indexing instructions. Then if we have questions use this forum for answers.
Thank you erutherford for your expertise.
2 -
I share your frustration. It does appear at times that some indexers don't read the directions. However, I'm grateful that they're even trying. If I have to make a few corrections when I'm reviewing, no worries. This work needs to be done so bring it on!
2 -
The issues I've seen are completely solved by reading the PI and looking at examples. To quote Bob Uecker in Major League: Nobody's listening anyway.
3
