From naturalization records to military en listments\, the journey to citizenship in the United States has left a ric h paper trail for genealogists. This program explores when and how various groups&mdash\;including immigrants\, women\, Indigenous peoples\, and for merly enslaved individuals&mdash\;gained legal recognition as citizens. We &rsquo\;ll trace the evolving definitions of citizenship\, the rights and responsibilities it conferred at different times\, and the historical reco rds that document these transitions. Participants will gain insights into how these changing laws and policies impacted their ancestors and where to look for relevant genealogical records\, from early petitions for natural ization to modern documentation. Spanning from the founding of the nation to today\, this session highlights how the pursuit of belonging has shaped individual lives and collective history. Presented by Allison DePrey Sing leton and Elizabeth Hodges.
\nProgram given in partnership with the Allen County Committee for America250. Click here to learn more about Amer cia250: https://www.in.gov/usa2 50/about/
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