Finding Aids for Naturalization Records

Naturalization Indexes

An Index to Naturalization Records In pre-1907 Order Books of Indiana County Courts, published by the Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, 2001, is the 2nd edition of the early An index to Indiana naturalization records found in various order books of the ninety-two local courts prior to 1907, Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, 1981.

Its contents are described on the Naturalization Records page of the Indiana State Archives:

There are numerous early naturalizations records indexed in a book titled An Index to Naturalization Records In pre-1907 Order Books of Indiana County Courts, found in many libraries and the Archives Reading Room. With some exceptions, the documents indexed in this book are located within the county indicated. They are recorded in Court Order books, which cover a wide variety of legal proceedings from various courts, including, Circuit, Common, and Probate. Researchers should contact the Clerk of the Courts for the county in question, and request the record by providing the name of the person the record pertains to, the type of court order book listed, and the volume and page number.

The index includes:

  1. the person’s name,

  2. the county

  3. the name of the court order book, and

  4. the page number within the book.

  5. the years

The table shows libraries that have An Index to Naturalization Records In pre-1907 Order Books of Indiana County Courts:

Repositories with: An Index to Naturalization Records In pre-1907 Order Books of Indiana County Courts
Repository Information

Genealogy Center of Allen CO Public Library

Call #: 977.2 IN1015A

Adams CO Public Library, Decatur IN

Call #: INREF 929.377 IND

FamilySearch Library photocopy of 1981 edition

photocopy (viewable only at affliate institutions like the Genealogy Center or Family History Centers)

Other Libraries

See Worldcat.org listing

According to the Worldcat entry (under Show more information):

"This index does not include naturalization documents such as forms, certificates, or bound naturalization books, which are gathered by law at the Indiana State Archives (Indiana State Commission on Public Records)." Originally published: An index to Indiana naturalization records found in various order books of the ninety-two local courts prior to 1907. 1981

Research in Indiana courthouses: judicial and other records, by John J. Newman, is helpful in understanding the types of Indiana courts, what resources they contain, and how best to view them.

The Genealogy Center call number is: 977.2 N46r.

Background History

The content of An Index to Naturalization Records In pre-1907 Order Books of Indiana County Courts derives from the work of the Work Progress Administration’s Historical Records Survery, which among other things indexed Declaration of Intentions and Petition to Naturalize found in court order books. The article Naturalization, Adams County Trumpeter of the Adams County Historical Society, Vol. 6., No. 3, October 1988, page 1 explained:

The US Department of Justice sponsored a nationwide project from October, 1941, to April, 1942, to locate and index these records. We are fortunate that all 92 counties in the state of Indiana participated in the project which was administered by the Division of Community Services Programs, Works Projects Administration. War effort superseded completion of the project nationwide. The completed index survey files were found in the late seventies in the archives division of the Indiana State Library. The family history section of the Indiana Historical Society became interested in the files and in 1981 published “An Index to Indiana naturalization records found in various order books of the ninety-two local courts prior to 1907”. A copy is still available for $10 to members and $20 to non-members from the Indiana Historical Society.

— Naturalization article
page 1

Adams County, Circuit Court Records

Order Book versus Civil Records

Order Books

  • Purpose: Order Books are official summaries of the court’s daily proceedings, including entries about cases, motions, rulings, and filings like Declarations of Intention for naturalization.

  • Content: They often include references to case numbers, participants, dates, and the actions taken by the court. They are essential for tracking down detailed case files or related documents.

Circuit Civil Records

  • Purpose: These are broader collections of records related to civil cases handled by the Circuit Court, including naturalization records, lawsuits, property disputes, and other non-criminal matters.

  • Content: May include original filings, case documentation, and summaries of cases recorded in the Order Books.

How Are They Related?

  • The Order Books are typically the first point of record for legal proceedings and decisions.

  • The Civil Records might contain more detailed documentation about the cases or filings referenced in the Order Books.

If the library has the Circuit Civil Records, they may include the Order Books as part of the collection. Contact the library to confirm:

  1. Whether the Civil Records include Order Books for the specific volume and timeframe you’re researching.

  2. If the records are indexed for easy searching by name, date, or page reference.

Adams County Court Records

The Adams County Clerk of the Court page includes contact, also below, as well as a link to form for requests for copies of a court record, which requests "date of filing, order, decree."

Circuit and Superior Court Clerk’s Office 112 S 2nd St, Room A Decatur, IN 46733 Hours: Mon - Fri: 8AM - 4PM Phone: (260) 724-5309

Pho: 260-724-5309 Fax: 260-724-5313

Family Search has the Adams County, Indiana, Circuit Court civil records, 1844-1921. The NOTES state that:

Microfilm of records located at the Adams County Courthouse, Decatur, Indiana.

Also includes volumes from the Adams County Court of Common Pleas.

Contains court order books, as well as complete or final records in civil and criminal causes, showing dates of court term, names of defendants and plaintiffs, orders and actions taken by the court.

The film is viewable at afflicated institutions and at the Adams County Public Library in Decature, Indiana:

Where to view: Adams County, Indiana, Circuit Court civil records, 1844-1921
Facility Information

Genealogy Center

Adams County, Indiana, Circuit Court civil records, 1844-1921 (Access within Genealogy Center)

Adams County Public Libary

Call #er: MICFILM 977.2 ADA

Description: Contains court order books, as well as complete or final records in civil and criminal causes, showing dates of court term, names of defendants and plaintiffs, orders and actions taken by the court.

The volumes of most relevance are:

  • Circuit Court order book index, v. A-B (1836-post 1920)

  • Circuit Court civil order book, v. A-B, Nov. 1836-Mar. 1853

  • Circuit Court civil order book, v. C-D, Aug. 1853-June 1873

FamilySearch Wiki

While the FamilySearch wiki does have a page on Indiana Naturalization and Citizenship, most of these records and indexes seem to be of the 20th century.

Indiana State Archives: Search Indiana Indexes

The Indiana State Archives: Search Indiana Indexes did not find any hits for "Kr*" that were anywhere close to Krueckeberg.

Ask a Librarian

Indians State Library: Ask a Librarian

Indiana Archives and Libraries

Indiana Archives and Libraries.

References

  • [naturaliziation-article] Adams County Trumpeter of the Adams County Historical Society, Vol. 6, No. 3, Octoboer 1988, pages 1-6, Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library Call #: 977.201 Ad1hs