Comments on: A Great Discovery

By: Mel

Mel — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 06:40:56 +0000

What a wonderful discovery! I think I would have cried seeing that photograph. I’ve never worked with these records. You’ve made me wonder if something like this might exist for my great grandfather who never became a citizen, though he was here as early as 1903. Thank you for sharing!

By: Lisa / Smallest Leaf

Lisa / Smallest Leaf — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 01:47:08 +0000

I love reading about your discoveries, Donna. Your explanation about the discovery of your great-grandmother’s naturalization records and all the wonderful finds that went along with that is enjoyable to read. It is also a great source of ideas for those of us trying to do similar research. As always, you have included your personal story with your tips and experience thrown in for your readers’ benefit. Great find and great story!

By: Joan

Joan — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:40:36 +0000

I was so envious of the picture on the certificate!! and 30 pages of documentation — gotta be some real gems in there. Congratulations

By: Jasia

Jasia — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:31:04 +0000

Great article, Donna! What a wonderful discovery! I can relate as I made a similar discovery last year. It wasn’t a direct-line ancestor that I discovered had traveled to the U.S. unbeknownst to me but a great grandaunt. But it gave me the same “oh wow, what?” moment. I look forward to reading about your research going forward. I had no luck finding my great grandaunt in the U.S. after finding her on a ship manifest so I’m thinking she may have just traveled here to visit family and then returned to Poland.

How did you come up with a 30-page naturalization document? I recently sent for the naturalization docs for my recently deceased Aunt Renee and all I got back were 4 pages with no new info for me. It did come in the mail in just a couple weeks but I would gladly have waited a few more weeks for more detailed docs!

Thanks for sharing in the COG, Donna!

By: Terri O'Connell

Terri O'Connell — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:34:08 +0000

Well, never mind my question. Got today’s mail and had the C-File from USCIS. Thanks!

By: Terri O'Connell

Terri O'Connell — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:01:42 +0000

Great post Donna, like you I look for a photo of them as well (or event their signature). Something concrete that shows they were here (besides a record that was filled out by someone else.
I do have a quick question, how long did the initial search take from USCIS? I requested an initial search a few weeks ago (to see what they held) and have not heard anything. I cannot find what I did with the request # they gave me. Ughhh – my printer was down when I requested, so I did not print the info out like I normally do.

By: Elizabeth O'Neal

Elizabeth O'Neal — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 01:45:07 +0000

Congratulations on your great find, Donna!

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:55:53 +0000

Greta,
She had one confirmed brother, Emil. See my story at
http://pastprologue.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/the-millers-tale-part-two/

They had other siblings apparently but I haven’t found proof yet. Another great find this month was her brother’s wife’s visa file!

Donna

By: Greta Koehl

Greta Koehl — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:39:45 +0000

What a dream discovery! Did Elizabeth have any siblings?

By: Cheryl Schulte

Cheryl Schulte — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:37:26 +0000

Loved this post and rejoiced with you on the photo of your ancestor (I, too, only have one photo of one of my great-grandmothers) and especially the news that she had a parent living in the US in 1940. That is a tremendous find and I know that you will eventually track that down as well.