Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Finding Aid to the Alien Enemy Registration Affidavits, 1918
SFH 48  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • General Note
  • Existence and Location of Copies
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Provenance
  • Historical Note
  • Scope and Contents
  • Arrangement

  • Collection title: Alien Enemy Registration Affidavits
    Collection identifier: SFH 48
    Contributing Institution: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
    100 Larkin Street
    San Francisco, CA, 94102
    (415) 557-4567
    info@sfpl.org
    Physical Description: 9.0 cartons (9 cubic ft.)
    Date: 1918
    Abstract: Affidavits for San Francisco residents, labeled Registration Affidavit of Alien Enemy [male] and Registration Affidavit of Alien Female, arranged alphabetically by surname. Summary sheets of registration affidavits collected by each police district, arranged by district and then alphabetically by surname.
    Physical Location : The collection is stored onsite.
    Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English.

    General Note

    The San Francisco Public Library received the registration affidavits in separate A-Z arrangements for men and for women. Sometime between 1975 and 1996 the two alphabets were interfiled for a single A-Z arrangement.

    Existence and Location of Copies

    Registration affidavits were scanned by the Church of Latter Day Saints in 2008.

    Access

    The collection is open for research. Please call the San Francisco History Center for hours and information at 415-557-4567.

    Publication Rights

    All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Alien Enemy Registration Affidavits (SFH 48), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

    Provenance

    Transferred from San Francisco Police Department. Richmond Police Station on July 27, 1975.

    Historical Note

    On November 16, 1917, all males in the United States older than 14 who were "natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects" of the German Empire were required to register as alien enemies. In 1918, an act of Congress included women aged 14 and older. The U.S. Attorney-General requested that the San Francisco Police Department administer the regulations under the general supervision and direction of the United States Department of Justice. Registration affidavits were filed at police district stations. Then each district sent its collected registration affidavits along with a summary sheet to the Chief Registrar. Each "alien enemy" was issued a registration card with photograph and identifying information, which he was required to have on his person at all times. He also needed permission from the local registrar to travel or change place of residence. Certain areas were also off-limit zones as deemed by the military. The Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918, and all regulations on enemy aliens were lifted December 25, 1918.

    Scope and Contents

    Affidavits for San Francisco residents, labeled Registration Affidavit of Alien Enemy [male] and Registration Affidavit of Alien Female, arranged alphabetically by surname. Summary sheets of registration affidavits collected by each police district, arranged by district and then alphabetically by surname.
    Registration affidavits are 4 pages in length and include the following information: name, maiden name, address, length of residence in San Francisco, birthplace and date, all employment and residences since January 1, 1914, date and port of arrival in United States, ship's name, name of person who supported entry (sponsor), names of parents, parents' birthplaces, registrant's marital status, name of spouse, names and birth dates of children, whether or not registrant had family members in arms against the US, military service, naturalization information, arrest information, physical description, photograph, signature, and fingerprints. Alien female forms also requested names, birth dates, and residences of all brothers and sisters, and languages spoken, written and read. Place and date of registration and name of registration officer also included. Some affidavits include: Notice of Permission to Change Residence; Change of Residence from One Registration District to Another; Notice of Permission to Change Residence within Same Registration District; or Memorandum from Sergeant of Police to Captain of Police regarding permission of alien enemy to travel out of the city.

    Arrangement

    Arranged in two series: Series 1. Alien enemy registration affidavits, and Series 2. Registration summary sheets.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    San Francisco (Calif.). Police Dept..
    United States. Dept. of Justice.
    Aliens--United States--History--20th century
    Aliens--United States--Registers
    German Americans--California--San Francisco
    German Americans--Genealogy
    Germany--Emigration and immigration
    Immigrants--California--San Francisco
    San Francisco (Calif.)--Registers
    Vital statistics records
    World War, 1914-1918--Social aspects--California--San Francisco