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Immigrant Ancestors and WWII Alien Registrations

Image: rawpixel   It never occurred to me that my immigrant ancestors who did not naturalize after they came to the United States would be considered aliens. But an Ancestry hint for my great-grandmother Catherine Cassidy Baker tipped me off to this fact and a new Ancestry collection as well. The Alien Registration Act of 1940 required any non-citizen entering and living within the U.S. to register within four months at a local post office. 1  The process included completing a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions and to be fingerprinted. This requirement allowed the U.S. government to know the whereabouts and activities of the resident aliens, including where they worked, what sorts of clubs or organizations they belonged to, etc., in an effort to stem any anti-American activities. It was also intended to protect individuals from suspicion or harassment from others who might have learned of their status as a non-citizen. In a statement upon signing the ...

CCC PHOTO DISCOVERY

 

Thomas Kozlina (3rd from left, bottom row), with members of his CCC 329 Co., Pine Grove Furnace, winter 1934-35.1

by Nancy Gilbride Casey


Genealogical serendipity is real! 

Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about my discovery that my grandfather Thomas Kozlina was in the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1934-35, when he was 23. He was stationed at the Pine Grove Furnace CCC Camp No. 51 in Cumberland County, from Fall 1934-March 1935. He was a member of 329 Company, which worked on state forest projects.

Today, I received a stack of photos from my Mom's cousin Marlene in Pennsylvania, which included several never-before-seen photos of Grandpa's time in the CCC. She had discovered them in an old photo album full of family photos.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be scanning and sharing more photos, but for today, here are photos of Thomas Kozlina from the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Wielding tools of the trade in the state forest CCC camp.

Posing in the snow and sun.

Horseplay during down time.

Thomas Kozlina  (2nd from right), with other members of 329 Co.
  

Two formal photos in front of camp headquarters perhaps?


Until next time...

Special thanks to Cousins Marlene who provided the photos and Cousin Joe who supplied notes on the photos. Thank you for helping preserve our family history.

 

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NOTES

Various photos of Thomas J. Kozlina, age 23, Civilian Conservation Corps, 329 Co., unknown photographer, Cumberland County, 1934-35; private collection of N. Casey [address for private use], 2022.


 



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