Make the most of the Census when trying to determine naturalization or arrival!
It is easy to miss some of those small boxes that give you immigrant and census information.
For names that are difficult you may use the * search meaning if grandpa went my either Josiah or Joseph using Jos* will pick up both.
BIRTHPLACES: From about 1880 onward. when it came to birthplace of foreign born the census taker was given detailed geographic instructions and told it should be listed as the country it was in the year of the census.
This could be very complicated because Europe’s borders were in a constant state of change. If they could not determine where the birthplace would currently be they were advised to do the best they could and write what the person told them.
WOMEN – remember that prior to 1922 married women received citizenship through their husband’s status. After 1922 women who had not received citizenship through marriage before that date had to apply or be considered aliens.
For ancestors in early America always look carefully at the names around them on early census. Make note of these names as are usually part of the cluster of families that intermarried with or were already related to your family.