Where to find naturalization records for someone in Iowa around 1894 - 1910

GibbyDaniel1

Josef Kallis entered the US in 1892 through Ellis Island, and in the 1900 census is listed as a Boarder in Iowa but not yet naturalized (if I'm reading the census column for citizenship listed as "Na" appropriately - maybe Na actually means Naturalized, not Not Applicable!).

 

I don't know for sure that he did ever become a citizen, but I'm assuming he did. He was married in Madison County Iowa in 1910. Nothing is listed there as to citizenship or naturalization.

 

I am looking for his birth town in Bohemia/Austria/Germany (through the years all of these are listed as to his birthplace) and hoping to be able to find it through a naturalization record.

LegacyUser

The 1900 Census Instructions (https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/1900instructions.pdf) states: "Column 18. Naturalization. - If the person is a native of the United States, leave the column blank. If he was born abroad, and has taken no steps toward becoming an American citizen, write "Al" (for alien). If he has declared his intention to become an American citizen and taken out his "first" papers, write "Pa" (for papers). If he has become a full citizen by taking out second or final papers of naturalization, write "Na" (for naturalized)."

The Na for Josef then would then suggest he was naturalized prior to 1900. There was a 5 year residency requirement before declaring intention (first papers) and then a 2-3 waiting period before filing final petition. With his arrival in 1892, this would set the timeline for first papers around 1897-1898 and final petition around 1899-1900.

There is a Joe Kallis in the 1895 Iowa Census in Madison County (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DC47-KYZ?i=363&personaUrl=/ark:/61903/1:1:VTSN-XG6) who is not entitled to vote yet, which is consistent.

Since he wasn't entitled to vote in 1895 but was naturalized by 1900 and lived in Madison County for both censuses, I would expect his naturalization took place in Madison County. Most likely his naturalization records can be found here: https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/128501?availability=Family History Library. (Although you'll need to visit a FamilySearch center to view unfortunately).

Wish I could be of more help, but hope this is something!