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Saturday, April 16, 2011

U.S. Citizenship?......you're gonna have to Behave!

Still digging through the same box of papers....it's really not that deep, but the it does have a depth of variety.  Most of the items are from the turn of the 19th century.  Here is a cool document from 1896:
Click for a larger size.  I would like to know more about the family, but I know the house where this came from and I am afraid they are long gone. I am surprised that this was not framed as a memento of the start of a new life, in a new country. Back when hope of a better life was escaping oppression, or just the conditions that would make you a senior citizen at 45. Of course, you couldn't just walk in the country, you had to agree to our conditions. One of my favorites:
If you've been in country for the past three years, and been a good boy...then maybe we'll let you stay. But wait! There's more! I realize that I haven't reviewed the citizenship documents for 2011, which may have similar language (doubt it, probably longer with more legalese). My second favorite clip is the one requsting said applicant renounce whomever they were "following." 
Not an unreasonable request, but just who would have referred to themselves as a "Potentate" and not suffered the snickering of the proletariat?
Coming Next Time:  You're a citizen! Now it's time to build a house and get married!

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