Cannot locate document images

Frank5358

I was inspired by a naturalization document I found exclusively on FamilySearch the other day, so I returned to explore others.

Each search is now pointing me to Fold3 for the image. While I have a subscription to Fold3, I cannot find the documents there (they're naturalization, not military), and I'm unable to find the original image that I discovered the other day. When I do the same search that took me to that doc, I'm also pointed to Fold3.

Is there something I'm doing wrong, or has FamilySearch changed its rights to documents?

For reference, the documents images I'm looking for are in: New York, Western District, Naturalization Index, 1907-1966 Thanks for any tips!

Áine Ní Donnghaile

Some naturalization records are available only on other sites; not all records are available on FamilySearch.
Fold3 is not restricted to military records.

If the record you are seeking belongs to a deceased person, please share the profile identifier and someone else may be able to help you find it.

Frank5358

Thanks so much for the offer!
Both of these relatives are deceased, and both were naturalized in Buffalo, New York. Gustave in 1924; I'm uncertain of Anna's naturalization date.

Gustave is the individual whose naturalization documents I found last week.

• George (Gustave) Weber Male, Born 1901
• MWW3-JLZ

His sister Anna is whose naturalization documents I was searching for:

• Anna Weber Female, Born 1904
• MWW3-JGT

-Frank

GFre

Hi @Frank5358.

Is this what you're looking for, for Gustave?:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:68KX-Y36C?lang=en

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to locate Anna's. Have you tried using Full-Text Search? You may have better luck looking for it than I did:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/full-text

Áine Ní Donnghaile

The first entry I see for Anna Weber in NY Western naturalizations is from 1956. From what I see on her profile, her husband, Franklin Goldman, died in 1955. It seems unlikely she would have naturalized under her maiden name at that time. Possible, but it may be a false clue.
https://www.fold3.com/image/6555334/weber-anna-us-naturalization-index-ny-western-1907-1966

There is also one from 1928
https://www.fold3.com/image/6554856/weber-anna-us-naturalization-index-ny-western-1907-1966

Those are the only two I see, and they are only index references, not the full file.

Jack Hern

When sourcing up people, I like to go first to the Search Records —> Ancestry link. The different algorithms of these two programs find different sources, as well as having different source libraries to search from. I find the search results are easier to work with and compare on Ancestry. I'll often have two or three windows open; along with 5-10 tabs on Ancestry during this process - to confirm and add vitals and info back into FS.
With a good source on Ancestry, I add the proven vitals back into the person in FS. More often than not, FS will now 'find' the same or similar sources to suggest for FS Source Linker.

You can, if needed, copy the link from the Ancestry source over to an entry in FS, if FS still can't find the one you want to link to your person.

Áine Ní Donnghaile

II do the same, Jack, and did on this search, without results.

Frank5358

Thanks to everyone for the assistance!

It seems that there are multiple ways to search FS, and I was using one that didn't yield Gustave's naturalization document the second time around. Am I correct?

Also, Aine, I'm inclined to agree with you on Anna's maiden name: it's unlikely she would have used it after her 1926 marriage to Franklin Goldman. All of which made me do a bit of research: naturalization law for women was somewhat confusing in these days. Franklin was born in the US, which seems to have entitled Anna for (streamlined) citizenship. What I'm unclear on is whether she actually had to file paperwork, and if so, whether that would have been recorded in the same way as if she was filing for naturalization on her own?

You found an index card from 1928 which could very well have been her's. Where might the full record be, now that I might have the petition number? In your experience, is that something held in an archive that has yet to be digitized?

Thanks!

Áine Ní Donnghaile

After the Married Women's Act of 1922, a woman no longer received citizenship by marrying a man born in the USA. IOW, Anna would not have become a citizen upon her marriage to Franklin, a citizen, in 1926.

The petition number for the 1928 naturalization is shown on that index card I linked above: Pet.10336. But, that record is in the name of Anna Weber. Again, I doubt she would have used her maiden name.

The National Archives at New York City holds the microfilm for NARA M1677. As far as I know those are not digitized and not online. https://www.archives.nysed.gov/research/res_topics_gen_naturalization_nara

Frank5358

Wasn't there a requirement to be in the US for 5 consecutive years? If that pertained to Anna, I'm wondering if she used her maiden name in 1928 because the clock began before her marriage to Franklin?

I know, I'm grasping at straws :-)

Áine Ní Donnghaile

It's certainly possible that Anna declared her intention before her marriage. The index card doesn't tell us much.