[xzins]

Here is where I depart. The founders included the NBC phrase as was common knowledge among the citizens of the colonies. NBC meant born of citizens parentS[sic-plural] on US soil or abroad while in service to the US.

Actually, the early laws don't say that. If you study the wording, you'll realize that only the father had to be a US citizen.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Any wording by the framers using man, or both parents is possibly based on the old Common Law principle of coverture which has since been abandoned by most civilized societies.

[Uncle Chip]

Actually, the early laws don't say that. If you study the wording, you'll realize that only the father had to be a US citizen.

You're right but up until 1920 US citizenship was immediately conferred upon a foreign woman by marriage to a US citizen -- so if the father was a US citizen then the mother became one as well instantaneously.

[DiogenesLamp]

Actually, the early laws don't say that. If you study the wording, you'll realize that only the father had to be a US citizen.

I ran across this comment of yours the other day and I was shocked and amazed. You DID Understand the point! Only the Father's citizenship mattered because women were naturalized (if foreign) by marriage.

There was never a condition in which parents ever had differing nationalities. (Until 1922.)