In 1938, Damian Niedzialkowski completed the requirements to become a citizen of the United States.
The Petition for Naturalization of Damian Niedzialkowski – 1938 (obverse)
The Petition for Naturalization of Damian Niedzialkowski – 1938 (reverse)
SOURCE: Worcester County, Massachusetts, Naturalizations, v. 102 (1937-1938): Petition for Naturalization of Damian Niedzialkowsky, 1938, Filed under Petition for Naturalization No. 27505; Superior Court of Massachusetts at Worcester . FHL microfilm 2,131,567. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Click on the images above to enlarge them. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Petition for Naturalization of Damian Niedzialkowski – 1938. The petition states that:
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Damian Niedzialkowski completed Petition for Naturalization No. 27505 in 1938;
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His name is spelled Damian Niedzialkowsky on the document;
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He filed his petition in the Superior Court of Massachusetts at Worcester, Mass;
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His residence was 19 Endicott St., Worcester, Mass.;
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His occupation was trimmer;
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He was born in Pomocki, Lomza, Poland on 15 May 1895 and his race was Polish;
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He filed his intention to become a citizen on 22 Apr 1935 in the Superior Court of Massachusetts at Worcester, Mass.;
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His wife was Caroline Gucwa, whom he married on 25 Nov 1926 at Worcester, Mass.;
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She was born in ?obowa, Krakow, Poland on 16 Dec 1898 and entered the United States at New York, N.Y. on 30 Dec 1910;
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The couple had one child named Teresa who was born 26 Dec 1927 in Worcester;
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All three were residing in Worcester, Massachusetts;
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His last foreign residence was Czapelowo, Lomza, Poland;
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He emigrated from the Free City of Danzig and arrived in New York, N.Y. under the name Dom. Niedzialkowski on 23 May 1920 on the SS Princess Matoika;
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He resided in Worcester continuously since 23 May 1920;
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He had not previously filed a Petition for Naturalization;
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He requested that his name be changed to Damian Cosky;
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His application was signed by two witnesses: Milton Barnes Freeman, 14 Greendale Ave., Worcester, Mass. (retired) and Whitner Roland Parker, 3 Glenwood St., Holden, Mass. (trimmer) who stated that they knew Damian since 1925 and that he had continuously resided in Worcester, Worcester Co., Massachusetts since 1925; the witnesses signed the petition in January 1938;
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Damian’s Certificate of Arrival was No. 1 150638 and his Declaration of Intention was No. 44271;
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The petition was signed by Damian Niedzialkowsky and Carl Greenslit, Deputy Clerk, for William D. Bowen, Clerk;
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He renounced allegiance to the Republic of Poland on 30 Dec 1938;
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His petition was granted on Line No. 9 of List No. 399 and Certificate of Citizenship No. 4539624 was issued.
Some of the information on the Petition for Naturalization is different than the information on the Declaration of Intention. Damian’s wife’s name was Caroline Gwega and her place of birth was Borowa, Swenciany, Poland on the declaration but her name was Caroline Gucwa and her place of birth was ?obowa, Krakow, Poland on the petition.
Of greatest interest is the fact that Damian Niedzialkowski legally changed his name to Damian Cosky as part of the naturalization process. The change of name explains why he seemed to suddenly disappear from Worcester, Massachusetts without a trace. In fact, he was still in Worcester, living under a new name.
Written for the Carnival of Eastern European Genealogy.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
