I was hoping someone could answer some questions regarding dual citizenship for me.
My mother was born in 1944 in the USA. Her father was born in Italy in 1918. He came to this country in 1920's. His father naturalized in 1927 when my grandfather was 9. Was my grandfather automatically naturalized under his father? Is there any chance my mom can claim dual citizenship?
It was my understanding that minor male children kept their citizenship, even if their father naturalized.
I was told today that I need to prove he was still an Italian citizen when my mother was born. Any suggestions?
You might want to check out the Wikipedia entry on Italian Nationality law. Can't vouch for accuracy since it is Wikipedia but the article claims the the law says if father naturalizes their Italian born minor children can lose their right to citizenship - I assume because they have acquired the new citizenship of the father. Interestingly, if your grandfather had been born here he would not have been affected by the naturalization.
At some point in history the law allowed minor children to acquire derivative citizenship after their father naturalized. The law evolved over the years, so it might be worth investigating exactly what it was at that point. Might check the NARA website for information. You could also look at census records of 1930 and beyond to see if your grandfather was listed still listed as an alien after his father naturalized.