Index to Naturalization Records, Sonoma County, California      Volume I: 1841-1906

There were over 6,600 persons who applied for naturalization in Sonoma County during and prior to 1906, when the Federal Government established the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (later the Immigration and Nationalization Service or INS, and now the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS). Before 1906, the process of naturalization was handled by state, district, and local courts. 

In Sonoma County, the earliest records date from 1841 and consist of both declarations of intention (first papers) and petitions for naturalization (second or final papers). Although the indexes to these records were found in the Sonoma County Archive, the records themselves have not been found. The indexes give the name of the individual, nationality, and the date of filing, along with the court where the filing was done. In some cases, the names of witnesses were also given.

Volume I of Naturalization Records in Sonoma County, California lists these individuals by Surname, Given Name, Township and Year of filing.

Naturalization Records in Sonoma County, California Volume I: 1841-1906 is  available for research at the Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library (the Annex).