Is it worth moving forward?

[Canaliy]

First I'd like to thank everyone on this forum, the information I found through here was very helpful in getting started seeing if I qualified for dual citizenship. I'm writing because before I go any further, I want to see if it's worth the time and money given the facts I'm presented with. I'm attempting to claim citizenship through my GGF-GM-M.

My GGF,Romeo Canali, came to the US in 1910. The 1920 census lists him as an Alien. In 1924 he filed a Declaration of Intention however he never finished the process. My Grandmother was born in 1928. The problem I'm facing is that on the 1930 Census he's listed as Naturalized. Interestingly enough his wife was originally listed as an Alien on the 1930s census and then there's a line through it and NA written next to it. I've received reports from USCIS, NARA, and the County Courts that aside from the declaration of intention, he never filed a petition or took the oath. It's unfortunate because I'm sure given his limited English skills at the time that the 1930s census was an error in reporting but I've read on the forum though that the consulate will look at the census after the birth and apply a negative inference that if they were listed as naturalized, the naturalization occurred before the birth of the child.

Does anyone have experience with this? Is it worth collecting the other documents to move forward since I have this census issue? If I moved forward I would be going through the NYC consulate if that adds anything to the equation. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[mler]

I think it is, but you're right in that the census records will likely present a problem. Two suggestions:

1. Try the folks at http://www.italiancitizenship.freeforums.org You may find someone there with a similar experience.

2. You may also consider the lawyer route. I believe it is less likely that census records would be an issue in Italy.