Am I SOL?

[mpinchera]

I suspect I know the answer, but I'd like to throw this scenario out to the pros here.

I searched ancestry.com for my paternal grandfather (born in Italy in 1909, the family moved to the U.S. the same year) and got a hit for a U.S. Naturalization index with his name from 1939. Years ago, I used the free trial, so I can't freely see the document cited.

Is it safe to assume that a hit in those records means my grandfather naturalized?

Since my father was born in the U.S. in 1945, does that mean my chance at Italian citizenship is dead?

But my grandfathers children born before 1939 can still potentially get Italian citizenship?

[JJ313]

If your grandfather did naturalize in 1939 your conclusions would be correct. Your father would not be eligible but his siblings born prior to the naturalization would be eligible.

I do not want to give you false hope but I think you should at least fully explore the naturalization. A hit is not necessarily proof positive that your GF naturalized. You mentioned that you found an index with your GF's name, are you sure that you have the right person? If you post details here someone can look it up for you in ancestry (or PM me and I will). You should at least get a copy of your GF's certificate of naturalization before giving up.

[mpinchera]

PM sent--any help is greatly appreciated!

I'm quite certain the naturalization index hit is for my GF: it includes his full name, birth year and is associated with the right state.

There appears to be a match for my GGF as well--for 1940.