World War I alien registration forms

Collection

Identifier: Mss 1540

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of registration forms completed by German-born Americans in Oregon and by U.S.-born women who had married German-born men. The forms, titled "Registration Affidavit of Enemy Alien," include information about registrants such as name; date and place of birth; date of immigration to the United States; and whether any of their relatives were fighting on either side of World War I. Forms for men include a section about occupational history since 1914, while forms for women include a section about any children they had. Each form also includes a photograph and the fingerprints of the registrant. Some registration forms are accompanied by related permits and correspondence. The correspondence includes letters between U.S. marshals and Oregon police chiefs or postmasters.

Dates

Creation: 1918

Creator

United States. Department of Justice (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Historical Note

In 1918, after the United States had entered World War I on the side of the Allied Powers, against the Central Powers including the German Empire, the U.S. government required German-born residents to register as "enemy aliens." Additionally, women born in the United States who had married German-born men were compelled to register, even if the marriage had ended. The registration period for men was in February, while women registered in June. Registrations took place in police departments, or, in smaller towns, at post offices. The government registered more than 2,200 men and 1,400 women in Oregon. People who registered had restricted civil liberties and were under government surveillance. These restrictions were lifted in December 1918, after the war had ended.

Sources: "Oregon's Others: Gender, Civil Liberties, and the Surveillance State in the Early Twentieth Century," by Kimberly Jensen (Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 2024), pages 88-109; "German Aliens to Register, Is Order," Oregonian, January 10, 1918, page 13; "Registration of Women on Today," Oregonian, June 17, 1918, page 5; "Germans to Regain Freedom of Action," Oregonian, December 24, 1918, page 6.

Extent

5.75 Cubic Feet (5 record cartons)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

In 1918, while the United States was involved in World War I, the U.S. government required German-born residents and women married to German-born men to register as "enemy aliens." Registrants were restricted in their rights and movements until December 1918, after the war had ended. This collection consists of registration forms for German-born Americans living in Oregon, for women in Oregon who were married to German-born men, and related documents.

Arrangement

Forms are arranged alphabetically by name with men first, then women. The alphabetization is based on the spelling of the name typed on the form, which sometimes conflicts with the handwritten version of the name on that form. While alphabetization is generally by surname, there are some instances in which the forms for women who belonged to religious orders were filed based on first name.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquired prior to 1980.

Processing Information

Collection was initially processed prior to 2011, and reprocessed by Jeffrey A. Hayes in 2025. Reprocessing consisted of housing materials in new folders and boxes for improved preservation, and retitling the collection for improved clarity. The collection was titled "World War I alien forms" prior to 2025.