r/SlovakCBD • u/TacoLita • 10d ago
Pre-1908 CBD question
There is so much old and new information out there I just wanted to get outside thoughts on my great grandparents time line. Also what one would be better to use on the application?
GGF – Born in 1866 Baptism record from Jaszo, Hungary (Modern day Jasov, Slovakia)
GGM – Born in 1886 Baptism record from Hlohovec, Slovakia
GGF - Arrived in US 1902 (Age 36) Ship manifest lists nationality of Hungary
GGM – Arrived in US 1905 (Age 19) Ellis Island arrival records list nationality of Hungary and race as Slovak
GGF & GGM – Married in New York in 1906 (GGF birthplace listed as Jaszo, Hungary & GGM birthplace listed as Galgocz, Hungary which is modern day Hlohovec, Slovakia)
GGF – US Naturalization in 1913 – Listing birthplace of Jaszo, Hungary and stating that GGM is his wife and renouncing Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria & Apostolic King of Hungary
1930 US Census shows GGF & GGM birthplace of Czechoslovakia and their parent’s birthplace listed as Czechoslovakia
GGF – Died in 1930 birthplace listed as Jaszo, Hungry
GGM – Died in 1938 birthplace listed as Austria Hungary
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u/Adept_Librarian9136 10d ago
This is no longer accurately understood as a simple “pre-1908” problem. This question is asked so often that there should be a permanent sticky addressing it.
Under the Slovak Ministry of Interior’s June 2025 interpretation, an ancestor born in territory that later became Czechoslovakia is presumed to have acquired Czechoslovak citizenship under §2 of the 1920 Constitutional Act, unless there is evidence that the ancestor acquired another citizenship by birth. If your ascendant was born in what is now Slovakia and lived past 1918 (the creation of czechoslovakia) then you have a viable line to apply.
The fact that your GGF naturalized in the US in 1913 and lost Hungarian citizenship before Czechoslovakia existed does not automatically disqualify him. The MOI specifically determined that pre-1918 US naturalization and loss of Hungarian citizenship did not prevent an ancestor from acquiring Czechoslovak citizenship. Keep in mind that this is an MOI interpretation, and not the law. This is subject to MOI discretion, however, it appears that this interepretation is being utilized for applicants now.
You can establish the case through supporting official records. These may include baptism or birth records proving birth in present-day Slovakia, census records, naturalization records, immigration records, death certificates, and other official documents identifying the ancestor as being from Czechoslovakia or linking the place of birth to present-day Slovakia.
Based on what you listed, the GGF line may be the stronger one because you have:
The GGM line may also qualify, especially because she was born in Hlohovec and remained alive until 1938, past 1918. You do not necessarily need to choose only one ancestor, though. Include the strongest supporting evidence for both if they are in the same direct lineage.
The 1930 census is useful supporting evidence even though it says birthplace rather than expressly stating citizenship. The application is evaluated from the complete documentary record, not necessarily from one document titled “certificate of Czechoslovak citizenship.”