Naturalizations in America and the West Indies, 1740-1782

The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantation established the act for naturalization in the American and West Indian colonies in 1740. Pursuant to that act, commissioners in the Americas sent records back to England detailing those foreign protestants who were naturalized in the colonies. This collection of those naturalization records contains important information from 1740 until about 1782 when the commission was dissolved. Divided by location, names are given of naturalized persons. Although designed just to record protestants, New York lists also include some Jews and Quakers. Some states records are more complete than others, New York being thought most inclusive while Virginia is thought least comprehensive.