Birth in Colorado, 1912

[Zefiro]

In 1912, the newlyweds Leon and Euphrasia Vanwelsenaere left Belgium and migrated to the United States. Leon had already been there in 1907, for his bride it was her first time. Vanwelsenaere was shortened upon arrival to Van Wel(l) or Van Wel(l)s. Her maiden name was Derynck, but I doubt she ever used it while in the U.S.

February 24th 1912: Arrival at port of New York on SS Finland sailing from Antwerp, Belgium. According to this list, they're heading for Erie, Colorado. (scan in my possession)
October 6th 1912: birth of their son Howard while in Colorado.
1918: Both naturalized.
January 2nd & 3rd 1920: census shows they're living in Lansing City, Michigan. (scan in my possession)
February 14th 1920: Euphrasia dies of empyema following pleurisy. (scan in my possession)
Unknown date: Leon and Howard return to Belgium.

I have some requests:
*Can someone find the birth certificate of Howard?
*According to the census, they were naturalized in 1918. Can someone find these documents?
*Any additional information to fill the 1300 mile and 8 year gap between Erie, 1912 and Lansing, 1920 is warmly welcomed.
*When did father and son leave the States?

If more information is needed, feel free to ask.

[Ashtone]

According to the census, they were naturalized in 1918. Can someone find these documents?

There's a Passport record with image(s).

U.S., Passport Applications, 1795-1925
Name:   Leon Vanwell
Age:   35
Birth Date:   25 Dec 1885
Birth Place:   Bovekecke, West Flanders, Belgium
Residence Place:   Lansing, Michigan
Passport Issue Date:   14 Jan 1921
Father:   Isedore Vanwelsenaire
Has Photo:   Yes
Certificate Number:   129585

Also, this WW1 Draft Registration Card:

Name:   Leon Vanwell
Birth Date:   25 Dec 1885
Residence Date:   1917-1918
Street Address:   1556 Roosvelt
Residence Place:   Lansing, Ingham, Michigan, USA
Physical Build:   Medium
Height:   Short
Hair Color:   Brown
Eye Color:   Brown
Spouse:   Euphrasia Vanwell

[shellyesq]

In those days, women were automatically naturalized when their husbands were, so there were would likely only be papers for Leon.

The passport application can be seen here - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV5Y-1FGB - and it gives the information of where he was naturalized. 

[Ashtone]

Can someone find the birth certificate of Howard?

Vital records, including birth, death, adoption, marriage and divorce, are confidential per Colorado state statute. As a result, Colorado vital records are not public records and therefore not searchable online. Certificates are released only to members of the immediate family.

[shellyesq]

This site gives information about who is eligible to order a birth record from Colorado - https://cdphe.colorado.gov/searching-vital-records

[shellyesq]

This article mentions Leon becoming a citizen - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96494034/

[Ashtone]

Interestingly, the 1918 record doesn't appear in Ancestry's Michigan, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1887-1931 collection. Unless I've missed it.

[shellyesq]

Lansing, Michigan city directories

1919
Vanwell, Leon H. (Euphrasie), wks. Reo, home 1556 Roosevelt Ave.

1921
Van Well, Leon, wks. Reo, resides 137 Howard
Van Welsenaere, Michael (Mary), wks. Reo, home 137 Howard

1922
No listing for any Van Wells, but Van Welsenaere, Michael (Marie L.) still at same location

The abbreviations listings indicate Reo is Reo Motor Car Co.

[shellyesq]

Interestingly, the 1918 record doesn't appear in Ancestry's Michigan, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1887-1931 collection. Unless I've missed it.

The passport says the naturalization was in the Circuit Court of Ingham Co., which is a state court rather than a federal court.