I had stumbled across naturalization papers of my great-great grandfather and on that, he claims his former nationality is “Emperor Austria”. This was dated for 1891. Based off other documents, it appears that both his parents were born in Russia; though it’s a little unclear, it seems as though he was also born in Russia. If he was claiming Austria as his nationality, I would assume the family had moved from Russia to Austria at some point if he doesn’t claim Russia as his nationality.

I was just wondering what the Russia / Austria connection is from that time? I’m having trouble finding something online. Everyone always said that side of the family came from Russia, but I’m learning this is not the case - not only with Austria but it seems as though his wife (great-great grandmother) actually came from Germany. I have only one ancestor (great grandfather) who came directly from Russia. And it seems as though my great grandmother was actually born in the US (and not Russia since her parents came from Germany and apparently Austria).