James Filipek's Naturalization Records

**James Filipek's Naturalization Records - 1900**
Contents Naturalization-Declaration of Intent Naturalization-Final Oath

**Naturalization-Declaration of Intent**
State of Illinois Cook County I, James Filipek do solemnly swear in the presence of the Ever Living God, that it is bona fide my intention to become a Citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever the allegiance and fidelity which I may in anywise owe to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State and Sovereignty whatever, and more particularly to the Emperor of Austria of whom I was heretofore a subject, so help me God. Subscribed and sworn to in open court this 10th day of February A.D. 1891 (seems to be an error, should be 1900) P. McGrath State of Illinois Cook County I, Patrick McGrath, Clerk of the Superior Court of Cook County, Illinois hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of the Declaration of James Filipek an alien made before me and filed in my office on the 10th day of February A.D. 1900 Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court, at Chicago, in said County, this 2nd day of April 1900 John A. Linn Clerk of the Superior Court of Cook County

**Naturalization-Final Oath**
State of Illinois Cook County I, Axel T. Johnson of the county of Cook and State of Illinois, having been first duly sworn, depose and say that I have been personally acquainted with James Filipek an alien (who has applied to be admitted as a naturalized citizen of the United States), for the space of five year last past and upwards; that during the whole of said time he continued to reside within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the said United States, and one year, at least in the State of Illinois, preceding the day of the date hereof; and that as far as my knowledge and observation has extended, he has behaved himself as a man of good moral character and appears to be attached to the principles contained in the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order, well being and happiness of the same, and that for three years next proceeding, it has been bona fide his intention to become a citizen of the United States. Subscribed and sworn to in open court this 2nd day of April A.D. 1900 Patrick J. Cahill Axel T. Johnson (signature) 3032 Emerald I, James Filipek do solemnly swear (affirm) in the presence of Almighty God, that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and that I do absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every Foreign Prince, Potentate, State and Sovereignty whatever, and more particularly the allegiance and fidelity I in anywise owe to the Emperor of Austria whereof I was heretofore a citizen or subject. Subscribed and sworn to in open court this 2nd day of April A.D. 1900 Patrick J. Cahill James Filipek (signature)

**Naturalization Records Comments**
Two naturalization records were found for James Filipek. The first record is a declaration before the court that a person intends to become a citizen. In this declaration, the future citizen was likely made aware of what rules and conditions they would need to agree to in the final oath and to ponder the action they were about to take. The second record is the actual oath and the future citizen is sponsored by a current citizen. Most likely this is all done before the court in a group session with a number of other potential citizens. James Filipek made his declaration on February 10, 1900 and took his oath to become a citizen on April 2, 1900. James was sponsored by an Axel T. Johnson who lived a half a block away from James. James lived at 2956 Emerald and Axel lived at 3032 Emerald. It is thought that James had just returned from Pueblo so the statements that Axel makes on James behalf that he has known him for more than five years, that James resided in Illinois for at least one year, and that he has known that James intended for at least three years to become a citizen indicated that Axel was a close friend and may have worked with him in Colorado.	There is relatively little genealogical data in the actual records but they are interesting to see. There are no similar records for Katherine or the children because before 1902, if the husband became a citizen, then the wife and children did also. This of course begs the question of what paperwork the wife and children of the times used to prove citizenship since they are not mentioned in the naturalization paperwork. In Katherine's Passport Application for 1929, she references James' citizenship on April 2, 1902, so it appears that the wife references her relationship to the husband and his citizenship to establish her own for passport and voter registration.