So to continue to the story of the Schillingers….  Franz Xaver Schillinger, my 3rd great-grandfather, seems to primarily have gone by the name Xaver.  Every record I’ve been able to locate for him in the United States has Xaver listed as his first name (the spelling varies from time to time).

One of my first finds was his naturalization records – a great find indeed!  He came to the United States in 1860 from Baden, Germany (near the boarder with France).  He immigrated to New York, finding himself a little ways upstate in West Point, Orange County.  In 1861 the US Civil War was underway, and many recent immigrants were finding themselves enlisted in the US Army.  Here is an interesting article about German immigrants who served in the war.

Naturalization Record of Xaver Schillinger

In the naturalization petition, Xaver Schillinger renounced his allegiance to the Grand Duke of Baden, Frederick I.  In 1867, when his naturalization petition was finalized, the Grand Duchy of Baden was a state that existed from 1806 to 1918, and a sovereign nation from 1806 (with the fall of the Holy Roman Empire) to 1871 when it joined the German Empire.

His naturalization record is witnessed by Moritz Sollinger, who is also listed as residing in East New York.  Presumably Moritz was a neighbor or friend.

Here is the full transcript of the naturalization petition:

Common Pleas NYC, Bundle 354, Record No. 105B

New York Common Pleas

In the matter of the application of

Xaver Schillinger

To be admitted a citizen of the United States of America

State of New York, City and County of New York, } ss. Moritz Sollinger

Being duly sworn, says that he resides at East New York

And that he is well acquainted with the above named applicant, and that the said applicant has resided within the United States for the continued term of five years, at least, next preceding the present time, and within the State of New York one year, at least, immediately preceding this application; and that, during that time, he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same;

Moritz Sollinger, sworn in open court, this 19 day of June 1867}

N Jarvis Jr., Clerk

State of New York, City and County of New York} ss. I, residing at East New York do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and that I do absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to the Duke of Baden of whom I was before a subject.

Xaver Schillinger

Sworn in open court, this 19 day of June 1867

N. Jarvis, Clerk