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Happy June, and welcome back to Found in the Archives, a publication of the Clerk of the Fairfax Circuit Court, 19th Judicial Circuit, who proudly serves The City of Fairfax & Fairfax County. In celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month, this month we will discuss some of the records here at the Historic Records Center in which we can see individuals who immigrated to Fairfax County from other countries.
According to the historic Code of Virginia, those who wished to become a citizen of the United States had to take an oath in a court of law to declare their intent to become a citizen and renounce allegiance to their former country. They later would take a second oath swearing to support the Constitution of the United States. After three years had passed since their first oath, and at least five years of residency in the United States, they could be admitted as a citizen. We can see this process through some of these oaths being recorded in our Minute Books and in our Drawer X collection of loose papers.
 Fairfax County Drawer X X-I-0140
 Fairfax County Drawer X X-I-0141
In 1856 and 1857, brothers John and James Carlin filed their intent to renounce “forever all allegiance & fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State, or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland” Later in a Minute Book entry from May of 1860, we see the two Carlin brothers being admitted as citizens. The Carlin brothers later went on to own land next to each other in what is now the Mclean area.
 Fairfax Minute Book 1858 page 323
We also have a small collection of Naturalization papers that the court kept in books. Spanning from 1907-1912, most of the immigrants in these books are from Europe, mainly coming from England, France, Germany, and Italy.
 Fairfax County Naturalizations Book 1907-1912, page 2
 Fairfax County Naturalizations Book 1907-1912, page 6
While the vast majority of the earliest immigrants to Fairfax County were from Europe, one of our records from the earlier 20th century showcase immigrants from all over the globe, and also shows ways they served the Fairfax community. During the early 20th century, those wishing to practice medicine were required to register their medical license with the county court. From 1912-1957, Fairfax Circuit Court kept these registrations in a book. Our Medical Register shows individuals from places including Turkey, Russia, Jamaica, Guatemala, and China, and more registering to practice different types of medicine in Fairfax County.
 Fairfax County Medical Register, page 16
 Fairfax County Medical Register, page 139
 Fairfax County Medical Register, page 41
While the court no longer handles the naturalization process, these records are still part of the Circuit Court’s history, and help tell the rich story of Fairfax County and the beginnings of how it has grown to become the diverse area that it is today. If you would like to view these records in person, or are interested in learning more, please come visit the Historic Records Center or schedule a research appointment to view our collections.
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