#OTD 27 March 1873, Joseph McFarlane was naturalized in the Circuit Court at Monroe County, Wisconsin. It had been 24 long years since he arrived in the United States from Scotland. He had declared his intention to become a citizen in 1850. Did immigrants then (and now) understand the process? Was it procrastination? Were there financial barriers? Joseph had acquired a homestead in the 1860's, but could not finalize the claim without becoming a citizen. That was certainly a pressing reason for my great-great-grandfather to complete the process.
#genealogy