Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona: Difference between revisions

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 For example, suppose you believe your ancestor lived in Tucson, Arizona in 1861.
-*In the present day, Tucson is indeed located in the State of Arizona.
+*In the present day, Tucson is indeed located in the State of Arizona. But Arizona didn't exist in 1856. Arizona Territory wasn't created until 1863. Before that, the land belonged to New Mexico Territory, which was created in 1850. So your ancestor lived in New Mexico Territory. This jurisdiction still exists today as the State of New Mexico.
-*But Arizona didn't exist in 1856. Arizona Territory wasn't created until 1863.
+*In 1853, the US bought the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico, which contained land south of the Gila River. This is the land where Tucson is located. In 1854, this land was given to New Mexico Territory and in 1855 this land was added to Dona Ana county. Then in 1860, New Mexico created Arizona county from the land in Dona Ana county. Arizona County existed totally within the present day State of Arizona. So your ancestor lived in Arizona County in the New Mexico Territory.
-*Before that, the land belonged to New Mexico Territory, which was created in 1850. So your ancestor lived in New Mexico Territory. This jurisdiction still exists today as the State of New Mexico.
+*But Arizona county was discontinued in 1862, then recreated in 1863 and finally discontinued again when Arizona Territory was created in 1863. The records from this extinct county are found in the present day in Dona Ana County in the State of New Mexico.
-*In 1853, the US bought the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico, which contained land south of the Gila River. This is the land where Tucson is located. In 1854, this land was given to New Mexico Territory and in 1855 this land was added to Dona Ana county.
-*Then in 1860, New Mexico created Arizona county from the land in Dona Ana county. Arizona County existed totally within the present day State of Arizona. So your ancestor lived in Arizona County in the New Mexico Territory. But Arizona county was discontinued in 1862, then recreated in 1863 and finally discontinued again when Arizona Territory was created in 1863. The records from this extinct county are found in the present day in Dona Ana County in the State of New Mexico.
 Putting this altogether, your ancestor actually lived in Tucson, Arizona County, New Mexico Territory in 1861. Therefore look for records in Tucson, Dona Ana County, and the State of New Mexico archives.
-Sometimes, records were recorded in a county where your ancestor did not live. Maybe there was confusion as to where the borders lay. Or maybe it was a shorter distance to the neighboring county seat. There could be several reasons, so don't overlook records in nearby counties. But treat this as the exception to the rule and check the most obvious county first.
+Sometimes, records were recorded in a county or jurisdiction where your ancestor did not live. Maybe there was confusion as to where the borders lay. Or maybe it was a shorter distance to the neighboring county seat. There could be several reasons, so don't overlook records in nearby jurisdictions. But treat this as the exception to the rule and check the most obvious place first.
-=== Spanish and Mexican land (from 1820 to 1846) that would later become Arizona  ===
+Spain laid claim to much of the land in present day southwestern US. Because of the great distances and the hostilities of the Indian tribes, Spanish rule extended only to the southern portion of present day Arizona, and at times not even that much. Tucson was the only permanent town established, because of the military garrison there.
-Spain laid claim to much of the land in the present day southwestern US. Because of the great distances and the hostilities of the Indian tribes, Spanish rule was only extended to the southern portion of present day Arizona, and at times not even that much. Tucson was the only permanent town established.
+Spain establish the practice of giving land grants to encourage settlement on the fringes of their rule. Mexico continued this practice. All Spanish and Mexican land grants were located in the Gadsden Purchase. If you stand in downtown Tucson and and look to the southeast corner of present day Arizona, then turn 90 degrees to your right along the border. All of these Spanish and Mexican Land Grants are located in that triangle. Look for records in the [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Private land claims|Private land claims]] and in [http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/archives/land_grants.htm Land Claims]. Also see [http://www.azarchivesonline.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/uoa/UAMS312.xml;query=;brand=default Records relating to Cases Decided by the United States Court of Private Land Claims, Arizona District]
-Spain establish the practice of giving land grants to encourage settlement on the fringes of their rule. Mexico continued this practice. All Spanish and Mexican land grants were located in the Gadsden Purchase. If you stand in downtown Tucson and and look to the southeast corner of present day Arizona, then turn 90 degrees to your right along the border. All of these Spanish and Mexican Land Grants are located in that triangle.
+=== Spanish and Mexican land (from 1820 to 1846) that would later become Arizona  ===
 - The San Ignacio de la Canoa Grant. Two brothers petitioned the governor of Sonora/Sinaloa for four leagues (sitios) to raise cattle and horses. Title was issued by Mexico in 1849 and Court of Private Land Claims confirmed the grant in 1899. This land grand was located on both sides of Interstate 19 south of Green Valley (that town is in the northwest corner of the grant).