Amherst County (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1848-1869

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Amherst County (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1848-1869. Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.

Summary

Extent:
.1 cu. ft. (1 box)
Creator:
Amherst County (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Amherst County (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1848-1869. Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Amherst County (Va.) Naturalization Records, 1848-1869, consists of loose naturalization records filed in the local court. Loose naturalization records may include affidavits, reports for naturalization, declarations of intent to become United States citizens, and notices of application for admission of citizenship. The reports are narrative accounts made by applicants summarizing their journey to the United States. The declarations of intent record the person's name, place of birth, age, country of previous citizenship, renunciation of allegiance and fidelity to the nation of which the person is currently a citizen, and the date the intention was sworn. Affidavits, signed by those who knew the applicant and could vouch for their loyalty to the United States, may also be filed with the reports and declarations.

Biographical / historical:

Context for Record Type: Beginning in 1795, a person could declare their intent to become a citizen at any time and in any place after they arrived in the United States. Prior to the Naturalization Act of 1906, the naturalization process primarily occurred in local and state courts. Declarations of intent were the record by which an applicant for U.S. citizenship declared their intent to become a citizen and renounced their allegiance to a foreign government. This document typically preceded proof of residence or a petition to become a citizen by two or more years.

Locality History: Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a 2022 transfer of court papers from Amherst County under the accession number 53740.
Processing information:

Loose naturalization records, 1848-1869, were processed and indexed for the purpose of inclusion in the Library of Virginia's Naturalization Records digital collection by M. Long.

Encoded by M. Long: December 2025.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I: Loose Naturalization Records, 1848-1869, arranged chronologically.

Arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
Library of Virginia