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.