Genealogy & Naturalization

Naturalization Records & Genealogical Information

Our office has various naturalization records dating from the mid-1850's through the mid-1950's issued by the Circuit, County and Kewanee courts. Please include the following information on your record search request:

• Name of person (with alternate spellings)
  Date of birth
  Country of birth
  Approximate date of Naturalization

From 1790 to 1922 a wife became naturalized upon citizenship conferred to her husband; no separate filings were required. An act of February 10, 1855, stated

"any woman who might lawfully be naturalized under the existing laws, married, or who shall be married to a citizen of the United States, shall be deemed and taken to be a citizen." This law was repealed by an act of September 22, 1922, which removed such marriage as a cause of citizenship. A woman then had to be naturalized on her own.

Other Genealogical Records

The Circuit Clerk handles files on Probate, Wills (without probate,) Guardianships, Divorce, Chancery, Law and Criminal cases. Many records are available on microfilm. Some of our earliest records date back to the mid-1800's.

A research fee of $6 per name is required. The cost for copies is $.50 per page for the first 20 copies, then $.25 per page for each additional page. Please make your payment payable to the Henry County Circuit Clerk, and enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We do not accept personal checks. Please submit a money order or a bank draft as payment.

Mail requests to:

• Clerk of Circuit Court
  Henry County Courthouse
  307 W Center Street
  Cambridge, IL 61238

Access  list of various addresses, phone numbers and websites concerning genealogical and naturalization references in the Resources Directory.