Finding Aid to the Alien Enemy Registration Affidavits, 1918
Finding aid prepared by Timothy T. Wilson
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
June 2010
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
Series 1
Alien enemy registration affidavits,
1918
Physical Description:
8.5 boxes
Box 1
Surnames: A-Br
Physical Description:
1.0 box
Box 2
Surnames: Bu-F
Physical Description:
1.0 box
Box 3
Surnames: G-Holland
Physical Description:
1.0 box
Box 4
Surnames: Hollbach-Kun
Physical Description:
1.0 box
Box 5
Surnames: Kup-Mollerns
Physical Description:
1.0 box
Box 6
Surnames: Mollerus-Rieg
Physical Description:
1.0 box
Box 7
Surnames: Riel-Siem
Physical Description:
1.0 box
Box 8
Surnames: Sier-Weiss
Physical Description:
1.0 box
Box 9
Surnames: Weissbarth-Z
Physical Description:
0.5 box
Box 9
Affidavits and registration cards of German Alien Enemies Registered in this City to whom Registration Cards were not delivered
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Series 2
Registration summary sheets,
1918
Physical Description:
2.0 folders
Box 9
Summary sheets of Chief Registrar
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
Box 9
Summary sheets of Assistant Registrars
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
