The Triplicate Copy of the Declaration of Intention

After finding the Original Copy of Great Aunt Stephania’s Declaration of Intention, I moved from the microfilms labeled Naturalization – Declaration of Intention to the films labeled Naturalization – Petition and Record Book .  This set of films included the Triplicate copy of Stefania’s Declaration of Intention.

Triplicate Declaration of Intention for Stefania Chmielewska – 1940 – Obverse

Triplicate Declaration of Intention for Stefania Chmielewska – 1940 – Reverse

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Triplicate Declaration of Intention for Stefania Chmielewska – 1940.

The films labeled Naturalization – Declaration of Intention included the Original Copy of the Declaration of Intention - the copy that remained with the Clerk of the Court .  This new set of records included the triplicate copy - the copy that was given to the declarant .  The Duplicate Copy was sent to the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization.

The Triplicate Copy appears to be identical to the original with a few exceptions .  In fact, the Triplicate appears to be a carbon copy of the original, since the two documents contains the same typographical eccentricities .  Note, for example, the extra space between the “e” and “r” in “County of Worcester” near the top left, the way that the final “i” in “Chmielewski” is typed over with an “a”, and the way that Stefania’s first name about halfway down the page appears to have a “t” squeezed in between the “S” and “e” after the name was typed in.

Differences include the presence of Stefania’s photo and signature on the Triplicate Copy, and the fact that the Triplicate Copy includes instructions to the declarant on the reverse .  In addition, the Triplicate includes a stamp on the back:

RECEIVED
FEB 1 – 1943
U. S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
[74] Tremont Street
Boston, Mass.

Normally, a copy of the Original Document would be considered a Derivative Source .  In this case, since all three copies were prepared simultaneously by carbon copy and each is clearly marked Original, Duplicate, or Triplicate, I consider each of these an Original Source (an Original Source of the Original, an Original Source of the Duplicate, and an Original Source of the Triplicate) .  The copies I have are Exact Images of Original Sources.

These documents include Primary Information about the place and date Stefania made her Declaration, her address, her occupation, and her physical characteristics .  The documents include Secondary Information about Stefania’s race, nationality, birthplace, last foreign residence, and immigration information.

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko