[or-roots] USCIS Genealogy Program

[Steve & Ronda Howard]

Interesting article:  "A government genealogy service lets family history
leap off the page"
 
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-genealogy17-2010jan17,0,5618865.stor
y?track=rss
 
A little-known program of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
provides information that bridges oceans.....
In the past, genealogy researchers had to file document requests under the
Freedom of Information Act and sometimes waited years for a response.

Under the genealogy  <http://www.uscis.gov/genealogy> program, which started
in 2008, requests are usually completed within 90 days. For $20, the
government will run a search of the name, as long as the person is deceased.
If there are records available, the government charges additional fees for
the files.

In fiscal year 2009, more than 5,300 requests were made, fewer than
expected. In addition to relatives, historians or researchers can also
request files....

For more information about the program, check out www.uscis.gov/genealogy. 
 

which takes you to:

The USCIS Genealogy Program is a fee-for-service program providing family
historians and other researchers with timely access to historical
immigration and naturalization records.  Click the links at right and below
to learn about our services and records.


Choose the Correct Form or Request Type:  Please read the Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs), form instructions, and other information on this website
before sending any money.


The USCIS Genealogy Program offers two services:

.Index Search: Using biographical information provided by the researcher,
USCIS searches its historical immigration and naturalization record indices
for citations related to a specific immigrant. Search results (record
citations) are returned to the researcher, along with instructions on how to
request the file(s) from USCIS or the National Archives. Fee: $20.00.
.Record Copy Request: Researchers with valid record citations (USCIS file
numbers), gained through a USCIS Genealogy Program index search or through
independent research, may request copies of historical immigration and
naturalization records.  Fee: $20.00/$35.00  (depending on the record type).
Records available through the USCIS Genealogy Program:

.Naturalization Certificate Files (C-files) from September 27, 1906 to April
1, 1956
.Alien Registration Forms from August 1, 1940 to March 31, 1944
.Visa files from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944
.Registry Files from March 2, 1929 to March 31, 1944
.Alien Files (A-files) numbered below 8 million (A8000000) and documents
therein dated prior to May 1, 1951


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We are currently answering requests received in early October 2009 (a few
earlier)  Some Record Requests received earlier remain active, in most cases
awaiting the requested file.

Questions about the USCIS Genealogy Program may be sent to
Genealogy.USCIS at dhs.gov.

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