Italian Health Certificate

Here’s another document that I have copied that I think is the health certificate for my great grandmother to enter the US.  From my translation it’s a written certificate for Maria and Francis (the second is a guess at the name) Moretto and Catherina Negri. In the 11th Month (crossed out year) born in Locana and living in Locana.

It certifies that they have a healthy constitution, are vaccinated, and are not infected with any deadly or contagious diseases.

It looks like it is signed in Locana on November 25th, 1904- and stamped with the Locana city seal.

As the documents age they turn yellow due to the acid in the paper.  There are ways to keep paper from turning yellow such as archival spray.  You can also get sleeves for archiving – stores such as Gaylord Brothers are great for supplies like this.  I have heard frequently about laminating documents, but DON’T.

Is it okay to laminate a document?

Lamination is not considered a safe conservation technique because the process may potentially damage a document due to high heat and pressure during application. Moreover, the laminating materials themselves may be chemically unstable and contribute even more to the deterioration of the document. Lamination also violates a cardinal rule of conservation, and that is to only apply treatments that do not alter the item and which can be reversed. Source: http://loricase.com/faq.html

All the documents I include though are with family and I have only scanned them. I would suggest to at least create a digital copy of all documents before attempting anything with them. As documents degrade over time also I have never regretted having made a digital copy (only that the technology to make a higher quality copy wasn’t available when I had the chance). I also keep a backup in a separate location.

Declaration of Intention – Memories lost over time

My great grandfather was a coal miner when he declared his intent to become a citizen.  It’s amazing what information this paper includes.  If I hadn’t already found the ship manifest showing his immigration this would point me to the ship and date.

It gives his description, birthday and so much information.  He applied in 1917 – just a short time before he died.  He was one of the casualties of the flu of 1918.

Finding paperwork like this becomes more and more difficult as papers age.    A guide to Naturalization records can be found at: http://www.germanroots.com/naturalizationrecords.html and a guide to types of naturalization records is available at http://www.genealogybranches.com/naturalization.html  I was lucky to get to scan copies of these for my great grandmother and great grandfather, but in many cases these are lost over time. Some also didn’t file.  My great grandmother intended to apply using my great grandfather (rules were 5 year wait for him so she would have been eligible when he would have received citizenship in 1922 if he had survived).  My great grandmother instead waited until many years later to apply.  Even after having 7 kids in the United States my great grandmother was still nervous that she would be sent back. Though my mother says that when asked she would just say she didn’t want to go home because it’s too long a trip.

My great grandfather worked in the mines in Clinton IN originally then moved to Westville Illinois.  He had immigrated to the US before my great grandmother came to join him. – Most likely to work and earn enough to send for her.  My great grandmother came to the US with  three children, and given the times one wonders how scary it must have been to make such a long journey from home with three little girls, knowing no one on the way.  What if one of the kids got sick on the way?  Would they be turned away?  My great grandmother came through Ellis Island and at that time if any illness was suspected immigrants were not allowed to enter the US.  (They also turned away anyone that was suspected of not being able to support themselves)

Family has since gotten a plaque at Ellis Island.  I’ve been lucky enough to visit and have pictures in my collection.  My grandmother and great grandmother were both pretty amazing women.

Not much is known about my great grandfather, but he was hard working and supported his family doing dangerous dirty work (in the coal mines).  My grandmother was not yet 2 when he passed away and didn’t have any stories to share. My other aunts that I spoke to most were all under 6 so they also didn’t have stories.

I have seen a picture at my grandmother’s house of my great grandmother and great grandfather.  It’s an old black and white photo and hints at how hard a life my great grandmother and great grandfather had.