Does anyone know if the witnesses that are listed on naturalization records were chosen/selected for any particular reason? What constituted a "witness"? Were they generally family members or friends of the immigrant?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Erin

It appears the witnesses were chosen by the the individual being naturalized.Someone who can attest how long the individual was in the country, among other things. On the naturalization records in my data base, there are family and others who are not, I assume they are friends.