Naturalization Record of John Ruane in Benicia, CA
Today I wanted to share the naturalization record of John Ruane (ca. 1825-1900, my 3rd great grand-uncle and the only member of this branch of the family to become naturalized that I’ve found. John’s sister, Margaret, was my 3rd great-grandmother. The family settled in and around Charlestown, New Hampshire. John migrated to Benicia, California, not too far from San Francisco, by 1867.
The transcription reads: (underlined text denotes handwritten sections)
No _______ (blank)
In the County Court of Contra Costa County,
of the
State of California
Present: Hon. C W Lander Judge,
In the matter of the Application of
John Ruane IN OPEN COURT
AN ALIEN, March Term A. D., 1872
To become a Citizen of the United States this 29 day of April
of America A. D. 1872, as yet of said Term.
It appearing to the satisfaction of this Court, by the oaths of
L B Mizner and J R Brown
citizens of the United States of America, witnesses for that purpose, first duly sworn and
examined, that John Ruane
a native of Ireland
has resided
within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for five years at least, last past,
and within the State of California for one year last past; and that during all of said five years’
time he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Con-
stitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same;
and it also appearing to the Court, by competent evidence, that the said applicant has hereto-
fore, and more than two years since, and in due form of law, declared his intention to become
a citizen of the United States; and having now here, before this Court taken an oath that he
will support the Constitution of the United States of America, and that he doth absolutely and
entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince, Potentate,
State, or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to Victoria Queen of
Great Britain + Ireland
It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed the said John Ruane
be, and is hereby admitted and
declared to be a Citizen of the United States of America.
C W Lander
Judge.
I received this document from the Solano County Genealogical Society a number of years ago. Benicia is in Solano County, but the naturalization occurred in the next county over, Contra Costa. I wish that they had included where in Ireland he was from! His sister, Margaret, said on a few documents she was from Galway.